Acupressure is an overall tonic for the entire body-mind-spirit, two-legged and four-legged alike. It is a tool to assist the creature's being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether the challenge is health maintenance, mental acuity, athleticism, courage, connection or transition, Acupressure is a way to add support: constitutionally, seasonally, currently, and most of all individually.

To maintain health and well-being, there must be fundamental balance of yin yang on every level. The spirit is addressed in each session since spirit is the source of life and the root of harmony. The balance of yin yang, the health of the blood and essences are what allow the spirits to reside within a living creature and thrive.

One of the laws of Chinese Medicine is that health will be maintained as long as the being lives in harmony with the seasons. Acupressure provides an opportunity to come into rhythm with seasonal energetic through point selection and correct application of use.

The Small Animal four-leggeds live their day-to-day in our closest proximity. We share our lives moment-by-moment, day-by-day. Most of our companion animals will be with us only a portion of our lives, and the entirety of theirs. We must accept this reality and give our best to them.

Chinese Medicine sees the organs as body-wide systems of energy. Viewed through the Five Element Theory, it is as follows.

Water Element: Organ systems governed are the Bladder and Kidney. Body-wide systems governed are the bones, marrow, teeth, brain, ears, reproduction, constitutional strength, longevity, and stamina. The essence of Water is stillness and movement, vigilance and reflection; the Will to live.

Wood Element: Organ systems governed are the Liver and Gall Bladder. Body-wide systems governed are the tendons and ligaments, sinews, nails and eyes. Wood Element includes the storing and cleansing of blood, the harmonious flow of Chi; the capacity to decide, plan and to adapt to all circumstances; the Virtue of benevolence.

Fire Element: Organ systems governed are the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple heater. Body-wide systems governed are blood production and volume, circulation and vascular health; regulation of the body's temperature and all body wide systems; Housing of the Shen and radiance of the Spirit. The Fire Element encompasses the ability to discern, interact intimately and socially with others. It allows the capacity to feel joy, elation, and always finding a way to join in.

Earth Element: Organ Systems governed are the Stomach and Spleen. Body-wide systems governed are the rotting and ripening of food and transportation of food essences; blood production, muscular health, development and vitality. It is the pivot for all transformation of yin yang. It provides the sustenance of life and provides the ability to hold tissues in their proper place. For example; upright posture, blood in vessels, discs in disc spaces, organs in proper places without prolapsed issues. It provides grounding, thoughtfulness, purpose and intent.

Metal Element: Organ systems governed are the Lung and Large Intestine. Body-wide systems governed are the immune system, and overall skin and hair health. It governs the rhythmic and instinctual aspects of the being, such as breathing and eliminating, inspiration and expiration, entering and exiting, connecting, grieving and letting go. The power of the Metal Element is balance and integrity, quality, routine and space; the awareness that nothing is as it seems.

As a practitioner I must make sure that I am in harmony with Heaven, Earth, the Four Seasons and the Five Elements on a daily basis. In this way I am most closely manifesting health and harmony with my spirit, myself, and my environment. Only from this place may I invite the Spirit of another into harmony.


The Shen, the Hun, the Po the Yi and the Zhi are the emotional spiritual aspects of the body-mind-spirit. Each of these aspects relate to a direction on the Medicine Wheel. We are all guided, two-legged, four-legged, winged and no-legged as we move through these aspects of the Medicine Wheel throughout our lives. Depths of understanding, depths of growth, depths of support and depths of healing are the manifestations of movement around the Medicine Wheel.
 

WOOD
• Courage
• Clear Vision
• Decisive

FIRE
• Playfulness
• Warmth
• Sparkle

EARTH
• Centered
• Grounded
• Transition

METAL
• Integrity
• Allowing
• Acceptance

WATER
• Trust
• Arousal
• Vigilance