Writers Health
Acupressure for Writers
by Kate Hanley

As writers, we spend our days pushing buttons on a keyboard, transforming ideas in to words. Wouldn't it be great if we could also push a button to get rid of the pain that spending all day hunched over a keyboard can produce? Well, we can. It's just a matter of finding the right button. Or, more precisely, the "write" acupressure point.

Acupressure is do-it-yourself acupuncture—no needles required. Just as with acupuncture, acupressure is based on the principle that we have energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") traveling throughout our body along pathways known as meridians. When qi gets blocked it can lead to pain or disease. But by applying pressure to an acupressure point associated with your ailment, you send a signal to the body get qi flowing again. And when qi is circulating freely, the body can find its own way back to balance. The following acupressure points are particularly well suited to relieving the occupational hazards writers face: eye strain, carpal tunnel, and headaches. No matter which ailment you seek to remedy, when you perform acupressure on yourself sit up tall or lie down; breathe naturally; and start with a light touch, gradually increase the pressure until it is firm yet still comfortable, and slowly ease off before pulling your fingers away when you are done. And the sooner you notice your discomfort and being applying acupressure, the more effective it will be. Although it can't hurt to try pressing your Union Valley point when your head is throbbing, you'll have better luck at avoiding pain medication if you try it when you feel that first little twinge.

Ailment: Tired eyes

Acupressure point: Eyes Bright Location: On either side of the very top of the bridge of your nose (imagine Felix Unger pinching his nose during one of his allergy attacks) Directions: Sit up tall in your chair with your back supported by the backrest. Allow your head to drop slightly, bringing your chin toward your chest. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently squeeze the "Eyes Bright" points for at least five breaths and as long as five minutes.

Ailment: Wrist pain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel

Acupressure point: Outer Frontier Gate Location: On the top of your forearms, the width of two fingers above the crease formed when you flex your wrist, directly in between your two arm bones. This point is located directly underneath the face of your watch. Directions: Use the tips of your index and third fingers to apply steady pressure to the point. You can also bring your thumb to the underside of your wrist, exactly under your two fingertips, to simultaneously apply pressure to this point's twin, the Inner Frontier gate. Hold for at least five breaths and as long as five minutes to ward off the pain that so often accompanies repetitive motions in the wrist.

Ailment: Headache

Acupressure point: Union Valley Location: At the bottom of the crease between your thumb and index finger. To find it, extend all five fingers and bring your thumb in to touch your index finger. There will be a small mound of flesh where the thumb crease ends—that's the spot. Directions: Working on one hand at a time, place your thumb on the Union Valley spot and your index fingertip on your palm directly underneath your thumb. Squeeze your thumb and index finger toward each other. After holding this spot on one hand for as long as five minutes, repeat on the other hand.

Kate Hanley is the author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide, a student of Jin Shin Do acupressure, and the founder of msmindbody.com