Acceptable discussion of acupressure. Content seemed minimal (lots of point repetition). Organized by malady, which I find tenuous/mystical (but it assists in making the repetition less visible). I thought it overpromised and underdelivered; for instance, it inflated its malady count by treating a few with a single generic acupressure point alluded to in half a paragraph (like that one in the web between thumb and palm). No orientation to Chinese medicine theory or how its systems relate to Western medicine. Weak discussion of why you should believe this book.

The sweet spot reader for this book is someone who is already devoted to acupressure but pretty naive about it, who has easy access to this book (like through a library or garage sale). This book isn't bad, but I don't think it's worth seeking out. ( )

With your hands you have potential to relieve everyday aches, pains, and ailments without taking drugs, to improve our health, and to increase your vitaity. Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to stimulate key points on the skin that, in turn, activate the body's natural self-healing processes. With this book, it is a skill you can learn now-and use in your own home.

In Acupressure's Potent Points, Michael Reed Gach, founder and drector of the Acupressure Institute of America, reveals simple techniques that enable you to relieve headaches, artihritis, colds and flu, insomnia, backaches, hiccups, leg pain, hot flashes, depression, and more-using the power and sensitivity of your own hands.

Written in clear, accessible language, with more than 400 photographs and easy-to-follow line drawings, Acupressure's Potent Points includes:

keys to pressure-ppoint locations and instrucitons on how to apply pressure safely and effectively
step-by-step exercises in each chapter
a five-mnute acupressure wellness program
a chart to help you document your health progress
tips on living and eating well
and much more

This practical guide covers more than forty ailmnts and symptoms, from allergies to wrist pain, providing pressure-point maps and exercises to relieve pain and restore function. Acupressure complements conventional medical care, and enables you to take a vital role in becoming well and staying well. With this book you can turn your hands into healing tools-and start feeling great now.

'Michael Reed Gach has been a growing influence in the health field for more than a decde. He effectively promotes self-healing and wellness through the gentle but potent art of acupressure. Acupressure's Potent Points is well informed, sensitively written, easy to follow. This is an excellent book that can be used regularly to help relieve a headache, improve sleep, or just energize the body. It belongs on every family's book shelf.'-Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., author of Age Wave and Bodymind

'A faithful and thoroughly incisive book on the anicent art of healing. With clairy and inspiring instructions, this is a welcome gift for all who seek health and well-being.'-Chungliang Al Huang author of Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain and Quantum Soup

Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Part Introduction to acupressure: Its origins, uses, and guidelines
1 What is acupressure?
2 Practicing self-acupressure
Part II Acupressure points adn techniques for specific ailments
3 Acne, eczema, and other skin problems
4 Alergies
5 Ankle and foot problems
6 Anxiety and nervousness
7 Arthritis and nonarticular rheumatism
8 Asthma and breathing difficulties
9 Backache and sciatica
10 Chronic fatigue syndrome
11 Colds and flu
12 Constitpation
13 Cramps and spasms
14 Depression and emotional balancing
15 Diarrhea
16 Earaches
17 Eyestrain
18 Fainting
19 Hangovers
20 Headaches and migraines
21 Hiccups
22 Hot flashes
23 Immune system boosting
24 Impotency and sexual problems
25 Insomnia
26 Irritability, frustration, and deaing with change
27 Jaw problems (TMJ problems)
28 Knee pain
29 Labor, delivery, and nursing
30 Memory and concentration
31 Menstrual tension, cramps, and PMS
32 Motion sickness, morning sickness, and nausea
33 Neck tension and pain
34 Nosebleeds
35 Pain
36 Pregnancy and infertility
37 Shoulder tension
38 Sinus problems and hay fever
39 Stomachaches, indigestion, and heartburn
40 Swelling and water retention
41 Toothaches
42 Wrist pain (carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis)
43 Acupressure wellness program
Appendix A Point location charts
Appendix B Potent points summary
Glossary
Index
Acupressure Institute's trainings and workshops

completely arbitrary and inflexible organization. mediocre index, glossaries, and charts. no listing of points by name, by body part, by meridians. reductive summary of individual points. no detailed comparison to acupuncture. no discussion of meridians. hardly any explanation of history, theory, or models. no cultural/colonial awareness. ( )

This practical guide to acupressure covers more than 40 ailments and symptoms, from allergies to wrist pain, providing pressure point maps and exercises to relieve pain and restore function. Acupressure complements conventioal medical care, and enables you to take a vital role in becoming well and staying well. With this book you can turn your hands into healing tools--and start feeling great now.