Feel good you
Want to stop annoying niggles and health concerns from spoiling your holiday? You’ll find the answer at your fingertips
When you’ve waited all year for the warmer, brighter days of summer, you want to feel on form. But hay fever – which affects one in four Brits* – travel sickness, jet lag and other less seasonal ailments all have the potential to ruin an enjoyable time.
The good news? Your fingertips could be all you need to feel better – thanks to the power of acupressure. Used for over 5,000 years, this traditional Chinese treatment is easy to perform on yourself, painless, free and works in minutes. What’s not to love?
‘Acupressure is a safe and gentle practice used to relieve symptoms from many common disorders, such as insomnia and headaches,’ says Five Element Acupuncturist, Asha Chong. ‘It involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, similar to acupuncture, except that it uses thumb and fingertip pressure instead of fine needles.’
UNBLOCKING YOUR ‘QI’
Acupressure uses 365 main points on the body, located on meridians, explains holistic health expert Richard Brook, author of Understanding Human Nature: A User’s Guide to Life (£12.99, Matador). ‘Life energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”) flows through the meridian pathways, which link one function of the body with another. If the qi is blocked, it’s thought it can cause health problems.’
Although the exact science of how acupressure works is unknown, the benefits are widely reported.
‘Acupressure stimulation is considered to cause the release of endorphins, the natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body,’ explains Asha. ‘It’s reported to stimulate the lymphatic system, improve blood flow, increase energy levels, reduce stress and anxiety, promote mental wellbeing and help relieve tension.’
FINDING THE RIGHT SPOT
The location of the point you press may not correlate to the site of the symptom. For example, points on the leg are used to treat indigestion. ‘Use your thumb or index finger to apply firm pressure to a point until you feel an achy – but not painful – sensation,’ says Richard. Here, he explains how to unleash the power in your own fingertips this summer to treat these specific health niggles.
Hay fever
Point LI20 or large intestine 20
Where Just next to and slightly below the flare of the nostrils, in the ‘laugh line’ when you smile.
Why ‘Hay fever often creates pressure in the sinuses. Pressing what’s known as the “Welcome Fragrance” point can help to open the nasal passages, alleviate congestion and reduce sneezing caused by allergens, s
