Tofino wellness: Jin Shin Do™ — Acupressure
by Tara Tait
Jin Shin Do” translates to The Way of the Compassionate Spirit. Jin Shin Do™ is a method that combines acupressure with verbal communication to help release physical and emotional tension. What makes Jin Shin Do™ unique is that it uses specific body meridians called the Extraordinary Vessels and points not used in other forms of acupressure, along with western psychotherapeutic concepts.By stimulating the extraordinary meridians that are directly connected to all twelve organ meridians Jin Shin Do™ stimulates the body’s own self-regulation by unbocking energy paths (meridians), thus restoring the natural flow throughout the body.
When we are not able to express our emotions, the body holds them back by tightening muscles. This tension can become chronic over time. The muscles involved become rigid or incapable of expression. Muscular tension numbs feeling, causing “rings of armor” to develop in specific areas of the body and people become separated from the emotional energies that give direction to their lives.
From an Eastern perspective, emotions are honored as servants of the spirit. Each body meridian carries energy linked to a specific emotion: joy, anger, fear and so on. When we do not honor our feelings and let them guide us, we also cut off the flow of energy through the body meridians and internal organs, sometimes resulting in sickness or disease.
From a physiological approach and Western perspective, research has established that the internal organs are linked to the skin, tissues and muscles via the nervous system. This means disturbance in the organs can be felt on the surface of the skin and disturbance on the outside can be felt internally as well.
Jin shin Do™ restores natural energy flow through the body by clearing blockages along the meridians. This promotes greater emotional awareness, expression and release. Verbal communication between client and therapist provides support. Allowing the release of tension improves body and mind well-being, thus having a positive psychological effect.
During a typical Jin Shin Do™ treatment the client remains clothed and lies on their back. The therapist applies pressure to local points of tension areas while holding related distal points, activating a deeper release. Generally a treatment includes a half hour of consultation and an hour of bodywork. After a treatment clients commonly feel relaxed and sometimes high. If the client is responsive they will feel significantly less tension and pain with an increased sense of energetic well-being for a number of hours or days. This will extend after further treatments.
Because Jin Shin Do™ addresses the entire body inside and out treatments can be effective for many dysfunctions from physiological concerns to muscle tensions and emotional traumas.
Some of the many health issues Jin Shin Do™ has been helpful in relieving are:
- Aches and pains
- Neck & back pain
- Headaches
- Allergies
- Migraines
- Menstrual difficulties
- PMS
- Relief from daily stress
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Digestive problems
- Nausea
- Gastro-intestinal problems
- Eyestrain
- Chronic conditions
- and so much more
To find out more about Jin Shin Do”™ you can access the Jin Shin Do” Foundation web site at www.jinshindo.org.
Tara Tait is a student board member for the British Columbia Acupressure Therapist Association and a practicing student of the Jin Shin Do” Foundation. She offers Acupressure in Tofino and can be contacted at (250) 726-0500
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