Expert: John R. Cross - 7/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear John
I have suffered from chronic tiredness and feeling 'spaced out' all the time for about 15 years but have only just found out I have low aldosterone and also midly low cortisol. But the low aldosterone is the reason I continue to feel terrible as the medication for it, Florinef, I have been told can take up to 1 year to work! I have been on it since the end of January. I am considering trying acupressure on myself for this but have a couple of concerns, one is that I'm not sure which points to use; I have the book by Michael Reed Gach but there is nothing in there for the adrenal glands so I suppose the kidneys would be the nearest thing? For this he recommends rubbing B23 and B47 in the back and holding points K27 and K3. Do you have any thoughts on this? Also, how effective do you think acupressure could be for a problem like this, and if it worked is it possible I could get side effects from the medication I am taking?
I discuss everything with my Doctor so don't worry about anything there!
Thank you so much in advance for your kind help, getting desperate now.
By the way, I've had massive success with EFT for emotional issues but did not work on my health problem.
regards
Jade

ANSWER: Hello Jade,

You are correct that when using acupressure for this condition, it is the Kidney points that are the most important. I would suggest three approaches, each should be carried out 2/3 times a day- acupressure should always be of the stimulating type as you want to create chi that your body can utilize.

1. BL 23 and BL 47. Mike sums this up nicely in his book. The best way is to give yourself some vigorous massage standing in the shower, either with your fists or with a stiff brush. Brushing the outside of the legs will also help. Repeat this twice more in the day (you don't need to have another shower <grin>)

2. I like the idea of using both KI 3 and KI 27, but each point should be stimulated. KI 3 is the Source point of the Kidney and has a direct link, KI 27 also stimulates the thyroid gland which is more than useful. Once again massage these two points about 3/4 times a day for about half a minute each.

3. In a book on the chakra energy system that I wrote 2/3 years ago, I intimated that it is the Base chakra that works specifically on the adrenals. I would strongly recommend that you stimulate Con 2 just above the symphysis pubis in the mid line) as often as you can. The actual point is at the perineum but this is a very difficult point to  locate and stimulate.

My knowledge of Florinef is negligible, so can't help you on that score. Acupressure will not, though, negate drug actions and you will not get side effects just because you are doing it. You should have improved energy levels within a couple of weeks of commencing this routine. Let me know if you want to know any more.

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QUESTION: Dear John
Thank you so much for your quick and very helpful reply. I'm sorry but I'm not 100% sure where Con 2 is located. Also, in Mike's book he says to hold points K3 and K27 - do you suggest massaging them instead?
It wasn't that I was worried that acupressure would stop the medication from working but that acupressure might cure me so I no longer needed medication; I have read about a woman who used acupressure for an underactive thyroid and after a while she had palpitations and other symptoms suggesting overdose on thyroxine and she was able to stop taking it. Is it possible this could happen to me?
And one final question, I am also using acupressure for an entirely different problem, can I work on one after the other or is it best to separate them?

Thank you so much once again, sorry for all my questions!
regards
Jade

ANSWER: Hi Jade,

Con 2 is located just above the pubis symphisis which is the center of the pelvic bone on the front of the lower abdomen. I repeat that you should stimulate KI 3 and KI 27 not just hold them as essentially you have an on going chronic condition. You will not achieve anything by just holding the points, you just create an energy balance each time, but you are not actually increasing the chi levels of the Kidney, which needs to be done! Please consider that drugs for any chronic condition is only one way of addressing the problem. All synthetic drugs are suppressive in nature, isn't it better all round if you can help your body to heal itself using natural approaches. It all depends what the other condition is that you are using acupressure for before I can tell you if there is any conflict - please get back to me  - John

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QUESTION: Hi John
The other condition I am using acupressure for is an injury which I have, I am an oboist and have an over-use injury to my embouchure (lip and facial muscles).
Just to be clear, when you say stimulate, do you mean sort of massage? Is that with 1 finger?
I guess with the other problem I have I can just hold the points? Although this is also an ongoing problem as I have had it for about 4 years.
Thank you for your help
Jade

Answer
Stimulating acupressure is the opposite to sedation. In sedation the point is just held, whereas in stimulation the finger pad is placed on the acupoint and some gentle, yet firm, clockwise movement is commenced. Do not bore a hole in the flesh and don't skin polish - its kinda half way. Do it gently at first until you detect some localized heat build up under the finger. When you feel the tissues get more relaxed and sort of yielding then you can slow the massage down until you almost stop. I generally use the middle finger pad but any will do.

What points are you using for your embouchure?  - John