Introduction to Equine Acupressure
Acupressure is a powerful but gentle therapy that originates from Traditional Chinese Medicine along with Acupuncture and other techniques such as Reflexology.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art, perhaps the very oldest in human history. Unlike Acupuncture which uses needles, Acupressure is applied using fingertip pressure.
Like Acupuncture, Acupressure points are stimulated on the surface of the body along energy channels called Meridians. Thousands of years ago, Asian cultures identified locations on the body where the energy channels were close to the surface. In fact, these points can now be located with electronic ‘point finders’ that measure electrical skin resistance. Acupoints have a lower electrical resistance than surrounding skin.
Acupressure balances the body’s energy, restoring harmonious flow throughout the body, correcting any imbalances cause by physical or emotional disharmony.
Application
Equine Acupressure is applied using gentle fingertip pressure to specific points on the horse’s body.
The points can be on the horse’s head, neck, body, limbs or hooves.
When a finger touches an Acupoint, the energy flowing in the associated energy channel or meridian is drawn to the surface.
When this happens Jess will feel a pulsation/buzzing underneath her fingertip. This is because when the energy is attracted to the surface the flow of blood increases at that location and a pulse is felt. The pulse is conformation that the energy is now flowing.
The pressure is held until the energy at the point has been balanced, the horse will often signify when this has taken place with physical indications such as lowering their head, blinking, muscle twitching, licking & chewing, yawning, moving away from the pressure.
Benefits
Equine Acupressure has been shown to:
Release endorphins, helping to reduce pain
Release muscle spasm
Remove toxins and increase blood supply, helping to resolve injuries more readily
Enhance mental clarity to allow focus in training & performance
Release natural cortisone to reduce swelling
Build the body’s immune system
