Ancient Technique for Balancing the Body’s Bio-Energy
Japanese acupressure or finger holding also known as (Jen Shin Jyutsu) was originally based on the work of Japanese Master Jiro Murai in the early 1900s. Ninety years later an American naturopathic doctor named Glenn T. King redesigned Jin Shin Jyutsu making it more user-friendly to Westerners by primarily focusing on the physiological aspects of the technique.
Electrical impulses travel down nerves and possess both negative and positive qualities. When congestion occurs in this electrical system, various physical, emotional, and mental symptoms can arise. Illness, pain, and stress can all contribute to blocking this vital electrical flow.
Having unhindered electrical flow throughout the body produces a coherence that leads to vitality and wellness.
Jin Shin Jyutsu seeks to restore health and energy by unblocking and balancing the vital life force. When the autonomic nervous system is balanced, you’ll experience a positive chain reaction that can affect all the systems of the body.
For each finger, 2 body organs are represented. Each finger also represents one of 5 major emotions.
Through gentle holding of the fingers one at a time, blockages are opened which allow energy to enter into all the cells and organs.
The concept behind Japanese Finger Holding is so simple that babies are born capable and intuitively aware of how to calm themselves by sucking their thumbs or specific fingers.
How to Perform Japanese Finger Holding
You can do this exercise anywhere, at any time your hands are free. Gently wrap your right hand around the thumb or a finger of the left hand. Relax your hands and hold for 2-3 minutes or until a pulsing sensation. Apply no pressure and do not rub since this can interfere with the effectiveness. You may choose to sit comfortably with a pillow on your lap and close your eyes for relaxation. This is a good time to focus on deep breathing also.
I recommend moving 6 feet away from electronic devices like computers, iPads, and cell phones. I also think it wise to remove Fitbits, Smartwatches, etc. so they don’t interfere with electrical balancing. Performing this technique a few minutes daily on each finger can calm your mind, soothe your nervous system, and revitalize your energy.
Significance of each finger
The Thumb helps to overcome worry. This finger is associated with stomach and spleen. Holding the thumb helps with insomnia, digestion, headaches, and skin health. Helpful for stress, nervousness, depression, obsession, hate, anxiety, and self-protection. Holding promotes calmness.
Note: Good for people who need to sit for long periods of time (sitting long periods can cause inflammation).
The Index Finger helps overcome fear. This finger is associated with kidney and bladder. Holding the index finger can help with toothaches, gums, wrist, elbow, and upper arm discomforts, back pain, digestion, constipation, and muscular tension. Emotional issues that may be helped are: fear, mental confusion, depression, perfectionism, criticism, frustration, self-criticism, and shyness.
Note: Good for people who need to stand for long periods of time.
The Middle Finger helps overcome anger. This finger is associated with the gall bladder and liver. Holding the middle finger may help with: blood pressure, fatigue, vision, dry cough, circulation, migraines, menstruation, and fertility. Emotions affected: irritability,
Note: Good for individuals who have to read a lot.
The Ring Finger helps overcome sadness. This finger is associated with the lung and large intestine. Holding the ring finger can help respiratory issues, asthma, breathing, phlegm, deep skin conditions, and hearing, including tinnitus. Emotions: lack common sense, hanging on, grief, negativity. Balance helps evoke joy.
Note: Good for individuals who have to lay down for long periods as in convalescence.
The Pinky Finger helps overcome low self-esteem This finger is associated with the heart and small intestine. Holding can help with heart conditions including palpitations, blood pressure, swelling, bones, nerves, and sore throat. Emotions: nervousness, pretense, and insecurity can be balanced. As the nervous system calms down joy and laughter can freely come forth.
Holding the center of your Palm helps bring equilibrium to the entire body by balancing all the organs. It’s associated with the diaphragm, umbilicus, pituitary gland, pineal glands, blood composition, body temperature, jaundice in babies, insomnia, fatigue, tinnitus, reproductive challenges, despondency, and more. The positive emotions that can be expected to accompany balance are peace, harmony, and the ability to receive.
Different ways to hold the palm:
1) You may place the pads of 3 fingers of one hand in the opposite palm.
2) You may place the pad of the thumb in the opposite palm.
3) You may join the two hands together in the praying hands’ steeple position.
Whatever position you find most comfortable is fine for you. You may hold a minimum of 3 minutes up to 10 or more if you have time.
Finger holds can be used at any time or anywhere it’s convenient! Many people use this as a bedtime or morning routine. It can even be effective for insomnia. You can use these techniques while in waiting rooms, sitting in classes, watching TV, riding in the car as a passenger, or during a plane ride, etc.
Tip for helping with insomnia, place the right hand over the left breastbone and hold the left thumb with your right hand. No need to switch hands.
“Finger Holding is a powerful preventative medicine practice and assists the body in correcting acute and chronic health disorders.” – Glenn T. King, Ph.D.