Acupressure: An ancient healing art that uses finger pressure on the acupuncture points and meridians to release muscular pain and tensions, and to increase circulation.

Acupuncture: Inserts fine needles into the body at points and meridians to relieve pain and treat various ailments.

Acu-Yoga: Uses full-body postures to stretch the meridians and stimulate the acupressure points along with deep breathing.

Affirmations: Positive statements that acknowledge life, said aloud or silently. Affirmations reinforce the power of positive thinking and can be used to enhance the benefits of acupressure.

Arthritis: Joint inflammation that causes pain and often limits the range of motion.

Blockage: Congestion of an area of the body that may ache, be tense, or feel numb.

Breath Visualization: Using the power of concentration to direct long, deep breaths into specific areas of the body.

Centering: Gaining awareness of the body in the present moment.

Chi: The Chinese term for the energy that circulates through pathways called meridians.

Chronic Tension: A long-term contracted muscular condition.

Distal Points: Acupressure located a distance from the area they benefit. See Local Points.

Homeostasis: The state of equilibrium or balance.

Impotence: Lacking in physical strength and the inability to engage in sexual intercourse.

Lateral: Toward the outside of the body

Life Force: The vital energy contained in all things that circulates through the meridians.

Local Points: Acupressure points located in the area they benefit. See Distal Points.

Lumbar Vertebrae: The last five bones on the lower back above the base of the spine.

Medial: Toward the center of the body.

Meditation: Focusing attention to develop the spiritual capabilities of the mind.

Meridian: Human energy pathways that connect the various acupressure and acupuncture points and the internal organs.

Metatarsals: The bones between the ankle and toes, on the top of the foot.

Pressure Points: Places on the body along a meridian with high levels of electrical conductivity.

Referred Pain: Pain generated in one area of the body, but felt in another.

Sacrum: The flat triangular bone in the lower back at the base of the spine.

Sacroiliac joints: The two places in the lower back where the sacrum joins the hipbones.

Shiatsu: A Japanese style of acupressure using firm finger pressure on points along the meridians.

Thoracic Vertebrae: The twelve spinal vertebrae below the neck in the upper and middle back.

Trigger Point: Same as an acupressure point; specific body locations that, when pressed with the fingers, relieve tension, pain, or pressure.

© Copyright 1990 Michael Reed Gach & Bantam Books, All Rights Reserved