Someone was asking me a little while ago how acupuncture works. They were asking if there is something placed on the needles prior to their insertion into the skin? I answered in the negative and said that they’re just plain metal. The person looked surprised and then asked me that if I’m not putting anything into the body, then what am I doing? This is actually it’s a good question since in acupuncture nothing is really added, and nothing is taken away. How can this possibly work?

The ancient Chinese word for massage is ‘Anmo’ (now susbtituted with ‘tuina’). On the other hand, ‘gong’ can mean ‘practice’ or ‘work.’ Anmo Gong therefore, means the practice of self-massage.

Anmo gong is occasionally called ‘do-in’ in Japan. It is called self Tui na in China and it tends to be based on rather simplistic physical activities without much ‘qi’ or internal work involved.

One can visualize Anmo Gong as a type of Qi Gong that combines self massage and acupressure techniques. In reality, most forms of Qi Gong and Tai Chi are comprised of limited elements of self-acupressure; however, in Anmo Gong one specifically uses acupressure as a major part of his practice.

This can have a number of benefits. Anmo Gong is like being able to give yourself a tune-up regularly when and if required. Acupuncturists usually teach acupressure to their patients clients to augment the benefits of their treatment. Self acupressure can also be utilized on a regular basis, to preserve well-being and health.

A routine of Anmo Gong in its most basic form consists of acupressure therapy on merely two or three acupressure points. Routines that are more involved would also entail breathing techniques, basic ‘qi gong’ like movements, and stretches. Routines may contain more spontaneous factors or can be very structured which allow you at that moment, to be guided to do whatever you feel needed.

Anmo going and self acupressure can both balance your emotions, strengthen your immune system, both normalize and strengthen your energy. Based on the selection of points and the routine, anmo gong can either be relaxing or stimulating, gentle or strong, and long or short. Actually, you can customize your practice to suit your own preferences and needs and there’s no limit to what you can do.

Perhaps, consulting with your local Chinese medicine practitioner for some certain advices or reading a good acupressure book is the easiest way to practice or begin the activity. You can also come to any Anmo Gong workshops if you’re in the UK.

Simply using basic acupressure on a single acupoint for a minute or two everyday can result in great benefits even if you don’t have time for anything else. For example, using the St 36 point, known as the ‘wonder point,’ on the lower leg can bring about excellent health-bolstering effects. This is indeed a wonderful way to start your exploration of anmo gong and self-acupressure.

Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC
10875 Grandview St #2200
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 549-4322
https://www.overlandparkacupuncturist.com