Five Element Acupressure

Acupressure is a powerful and gentle form of bodywork. You are fully clothed for this treatment as it is energy healing and does not require any oil. Acupoints are located along the energy channels, or meridians, and each acupoint has different therapeutic benefits. While acupuncture requires needles to be inserted into acupoints, acupressure only requires skillful touch. It is a great alternative for those who do not like needles, and there are many traditions out there, this one being derived from some more ancient traditions from China and Japan and influenced by Western psychology.

I studied Level 1, 2 and 3 Five Element Acupressure with John Kirkwood and continue my studies. I respect and honour this tradition and find it to be extremely powerful. I often incorporate some acupoints into a remedial massage, and aromatherapy massage to release blockages which can enable chronic conditions to heal naturally.

Five element acupressure works with the energy systems of the body. Imbalances in the elements and meridians can affect our physical health, our emotional and mental state, and our spiritual well-being. By promoting flow and harmony at the energy level, acupressure brings healing to our bodies, emotions and spirit. Your session will be very relaxing.

The finger pressure on specific points relating to your condition allows blocked energy to flow, and harmony to return to your body’s energy system. This in turn often allows healing of physical symptoms, and releasing the related emotions.

In ancient times it was noticed that the energy meridians and their associated physical and mental states seemed to arise in five broad groups, and these groupings were found to relate to each other in predictable, systematic ways. Each grouping seemed to have qualities similar to a particular element occurring in the natural world, and so the five groupings, or Five Elements became Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. This became the foundation of Five Element Acupressure.

The Elements are constantly alive within us, dynamically interacting with one another. When the harmony of this system is disrupted, some Elements have too much energy and others too little. It is this disharmony which creates ill health. At the heart of Five element Acupressure is the balancing of the Five Elements, in other words, the balancing of the whole physical, mental and spiritual organism.

- John Kirkwood