Each body – and each area of the body – requires a different amount of pressure. If it hurts a great deal when you apply pressure on a point, then use light touch instead of pressure. The calves, the face, and genital areas are sensitive. The back, buttocks, and shoulders, especially if the musculature is developed, usually need deeper, firmer pressure.

After repeated acupressure sessions using different degrees of pressure, you will begin to feel a pulse at the point. This pulsation is a good sign – it means that circulation has increased. Pay attention to the type of pulse you feel. If it’s very faint or throbbing, hold the point longer until the pulse balances.

Deep Touch
At each impulse our body reacts, adjusting in order to restore the balance. The soft tissue, in this case, relaxes or contracts leading to movement in the muscles or in the joints. The stimulus, that could be a sound, a thought or an intention, provokes a number of body forms which, for their natural tendency, express themselves. To prevent this natural response would be an unnecessary waste of energy. In fact, when the body doesn’t adapt to the stimulus, it produces stress. By pin–pointing the deep touch technique on the relevant reflex points, a specialist in this unique treatment can encourage self–healing to begin by channeling vital energy to flow to the most adversely affected areas.

Various techniques applied in an acupressure treatment include pressing, rubbing, gentle stretching, and rolling, chafing, kneading, wiping and grasping, as well as corrective exercises. Varying levels of pressure are used, most often starting by applying light pressure and gradually working deeper. The practitioner may focus more energy or pressure on a specific point or series of points, depending on the individual’s chief complaint, or the entire course of a meridian may be addressed.

The meridians, or channels, connect the internal organs through 12 primary and 8 extra meridians. These meridians, through which qi travels, emerge at the surface of the body. Therapeutically, deep touch is considered better for chronic conditions. Though deep touch may provide an intense sensation, it should always be within the client’s tolerance of discomfort.

A deep touch technique is used to find the tender and nodular areas in the feet and relate them to the relevant anatomical areas of the body. These nodules are treated by applying a precise deep touch technique, thereby helping the related the distant areas of the body to receive energy for healing. It is used to concentrate on the tender and nodular areas in the feet – those areas which are under the most stress – and relate them to specific areas of the body.

With subtle but deep touch stimulate acupuncture channels (meridians) using thumbs, fingers, elbows and knees. Gentle or dynamic stretches and joint rotations promote deep relaxation, helping your vital body energy (qi) back to balance. It can be a very deep touch to disperse energy that stimulates to encourage energy flow.

Imbalances at particular points along the meridian lines and within the organs themselves can be perceived with a deep touch sensitivity and particular technique, equilibrium can be restored. Holding tension points located on the face and body with a deep touch can help to relieve bodily aches and pains, reducing muscular and emotional stress and providing relaxation of both body and psyche. At times treatment may be deeply relaxing and other times it can be deep, direct causing soreness often described by clients as ‘good pain’. It is important to communicate if you are not comfortable with deep, releasing and effective pressure however, it is equally important to ask for more pressure and not shy away from the deep touch.

Gentle Massage
Gentle massage has many benefits for those with arthritis. Massage therapy can provide pain relief, soothe stiff sore muscles and reduce inflammation and swelling. Massage and gentle stretching help maintain range of motion for your joints. By applying gentle massage to your reflexes, this therapy improves circulation and relieves stress and tension. When your body is in this natural state of relaxation, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self–healing may occur.

Reflexology is an ancient, natural, non–invasive therapy that is based on the principle that there are reflex areas in the hands and feet, which correspond to all glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulation of these reflexes by applying gentle massage and specific pressure point techniques helps create a relaxed, healthy and harmonious state of being. Reflexology improves blood and nerve supply, removing congestion and blockages, restoring balance, improving energy and relieving stress and tension.