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How to Give an Acupressure Back Massage

by Jennifer Claerr

  • Overview

    Practitioners of acupressure believe that chi, or life energy, flows through meridians or channels in the body. Blockages in these meridians can cause health problems by preventing the chi from circulating. Acupressure back massage differs from ordinary back massage in that you must stimulate specific, pre-determined nodes along these meridians. When these nodes are pressed and the tension is released, chi is freed to flow again. The recipient experiences not only freedom from disease, but also a return to optimal health.
 

  • Step 1

    Have the subject of the massage remove his clothing from the waist up. Have him lie face down on a bed or massage bench. If possible, use a bench that has a hole for the fact to increase the subject's comfort.

  • Step 2

    Apply pressure to point 48 on the bladder ("B") meridian (see Resources below). These points are right on the outside of the top of the sacrum. Most people have a dimple where this point appears on the lower back. You may also feel a node of tension here. This point is very sensitive to pressure, so be gentle at first. Only increase pressure if the subject says it's acceptable.

  • Step 3

    Place your fingers on point 47 on the "B" meridian. You can find this point by drawing an imaginary line along the back muscle from the top of the pelvic bone to the bottom of the lowest rib. The point is at about the halfway mark on this line. Press gently but firmly on these points on both sides of the lower back for several seconds. Tension in the subject's lower back will begin to release.

  • Step 4

    Run your fingers up to find "B" 42. This acupressure point is located between the ninth and tenth rib bones on the middle back. Press firmly on each point on both sides of the spine.

  • Step 5

    Move upward again to point "B" 38. This point is located about two finger widths below the shoulder blade where the muscle runs near the spine. Putting pressure on this acupressure point helps to release tension in the upper back between the shoulder blades.

  • Step 6

    Apply pressure to point 15 on the triple warmer ("TW") meridian (see Resources below). This point is located just above the shoulder blade. Massaging this point will help to release upper back, neck and shoulder tension.
  • 3
  • You can perform acupressure on yourself by reaching around your back with your hand. Using a mirror is also helpful. The subject may keep his clothes on if she prefers; however, this will make it more difficult to find the acupressure points. Acupressure meridians are the same as acupuncture meridians.
  • You can perform acupressure on yourself by reaching around your back with your hand. Using a mirror is also helpful.
  • The subject may keep his clothes on if she prefers; however, this will make it more difficult to find the acupressure points.
  • Acupressure meridians are the same as acupuncture meridians.
  • If your subject experiences any discomfort from the acupressure massage, release the pressure immediately.
  • If your subject experiences any discomfort from the acupressure massage, release the pressure immediately.

References & Resources

     
     
 
 

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