How to Use Oriental Bodyworks to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Pain

According to ancient Oriental bodyworks practitioners, the root cause of neck and shoulder pain is an imbalance in the body's energy channels. In order to correct this, Oriental bodyworks therapy, which aims to re-balance the body's energy, can be very beneficial. Of the various forms of Oriental bodyworks therapy, some believe that acupressure and jin shin jyutsu can be particularly helpful for reducing and eliminating neck and shoulder pain.

Things You'll Need

• Chart of common acupressure points

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Instructions

Help Relieve Neck and Shoulder Pain With Acupressure

• 1

  Begin by standing upright and keeping your feet roughly 12 inches apart.

• 2

  Keep your back straight while extending your neck out.

• 3

  Place your hands on either side of your neck, just below your hair line.

• 4

  Feel for a sensitive spot in this region using your index fingers.

• 5

  Apply firm pressure to this spot for several seconds.

• 6

  Repeat two to three times per day to melt away any remaining tension in your neck and shoulders.

• 7

  Get more information about acupressure and pain alleviation by visiting the Acupressure Institute Web site (see Resources below).

Use Jin Shin Jyutsu to Get Rid of Neck and Shoulder Pain

• 8

  Start by grasping your thumb for several minutes. In jin shin jyutsu, the thumb is one of the energy pathways to the neck and shoulders. Holding your thumb for a period of time may help ease the tensions in this area.

• 9

  Place your fingers on the back of your neck for several minutes while concentrating on the energy within your body. After you're finished, you may find that any additional tension in your neck and shoulders is gone.

• 10

  Learn more about pain management through jin shin jyutsu by visiting the Jin Shin Jyutsu Institute Web site (see Resources below).