Massage

Distal Acupressure

Introduction

The limbs are a significant part of qi development, yet often neglected.  Activation of their energetic pathways facilitates a kind of harmonizing ventilation of the torso, and provides a key to heaven~surroundings~earth integration.

Jing Stagnation: Local and Distal work

The main danger with storing jing is "stagnation", which is the Chinese medical term that means "too much jammed up in one place", impeding healthy circulation.  

(It may be that you practice jing gong and don't have any trouble with stagnation.  In that case, the following acupressure is still generally health promoting, helpful for standing qi gong, as well as preventative against lower tan tien stagnation occurring.)

Part of the preventative/solution to lower tan tien jing stagnation is local.  That is, we do stuff in or near the lower tan tien: lower tan tien breathing-meditation, sexual energy massage, exercising the perineum, sacrum squeeze, standing ab-wheel, and other various.  In one way, all of this is fine and good.  It exercises an area that is, by nature, strong and dense - and thus promotes some local expression and un-jamming.  Yet, at the same time, in another way, all of this is making things worse because focus, exercise, stimulation in an area draws more qi, blood, attention to that area - and the problem is that's already jammed up with too much qi, blood, attention!  (That is, it's stagnant.)

So, while part of the preventative/solution to jing stagnation is local, part of the solution is distal.  In acupressure, that means choosing acupoints that stimulate meridians that run through the lower tan tien (and through other areas where jing tends to bind up), but that are far away from the lower tan tien.  Stimulation of pertinent distal acupoints promotes a flow of jing, qi, yi, through and out of the lower tan tien - which provides space and ventilation so that stagnation can resolve.  This allows jing to harmonize - after which it more naturally stores in, nourishes, the body safely (rather than just saving bound up tension).  This isn't a new idea, it's inherent in using the orbit - it's just that the limbs are important, too.

This two-pronged approach of local and distal is really important, and I would suggest that men attempting semen retention tend to end up obsessing about their sexuality (a kind of stagnation) and over-emphasize the local work which - as I mentioned before - creates trouble even as it solves it.

So, this essay provides acupoints for massage, distal from the lower tan tien, that are very broad and generic in application - that is, most people can use them with general benefit - and, as well, specifically resolve some of the typical problems of jing cultivators.  I think you'll find them surprisingly helpful; I did.

NOTES

      Links and notes re: point functions, and other related topics, are at the bottom of the essay.

      If you're really sick, all bets are off: go see a doctor.

      In addition to general meridian activation and harmonization benefits, activation of the limbs greatly assists in standing practices, heaven~surroundings~earth integration.

      Actually, Chinese medical theory talks about choosing acupoints that are local, adjacent, and distal.  For the sake of simplicity, in the above discussion I mentioned only local and distal.

  Click to enlarge

A massage tool is useful for pressing into the soles of the feet and palms of hands.

Bongers: perhaps the most effective acupressure tool.

AcuPoints

        Don't feel like you have to massage all of the following acupoints in a single session.  I would suggest, though, that you include all four limbs in a session - and perhaps analogous acupoints upper & lower.  Also, these acupoints aren't the last word as far as acupoints on the arms and legs: they are some of the major acupoints, and are a starting block for your own exploration.

NOTE: Massage both inner and outer wrist; a bunch of Sanjiao acupoints on the outer.

BL-40

Slowly work your way deeply into this acupoint.  This acupoint is very pleasurably soothing.  Can be a partner massage, especially 'just after'.  Also can be used in-between times, to pleasurably cool your jets.

    The meat to each side of the Achilles' tendon.

NOTES:  

    There's a tendency to massage too low and miss St-36, and my diagram's circle certainly covers a lot of territory; St-36 is high up in that circle.  For more specific location (on the opposite leg, doh!), see this picture.  Very effective to use a bonger to tap the whole length just lateral of the shin-bone, spending extra time at tender points - where ever they may be.

    There's a number of Kidney and Bladder acupoints in the meat to each side of the Achilles' tendon.

    Kidney-1 is most effectively massaged by hitting repeatedly with the bonger.

    Spleen-6 (Sanyinjiao) is an especially important acupoint, located about a hand's width above the inside ankle.  It's the meeting point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels, is widely used and has broad application.  Starting just above your inside-ankle, massage up your lower leg along the groove where the meat meets the bone.  Spend extra time where ever you feel tenderness.

Liver channel   (thank you! to Owl)

~ quote Owl ~

        I find that the entire length of the Liver channel might be important for what you're looking for.  Note that Liv 1 and 2 are usually used to treat all kinds of acute problems with the male/female genitalia.  Liv 5, the luo-connecting point, is a major point for the genitals since it affects the micro-circulation in and around the genital area.  Most people's liver channels are pretty stuck between the knees and the pubes - all along their inner thighs.  Extremely tender.

        I suggest palpating the entire length of the liver channel and dissolve all the knots.  There is no one fixed point.  And point locations are not static.  There could be many blockages along the river and individual variations are expected.

~ unquote Owl ~

Chest: Massage all along just below the clavicle, and to each side of the sternum in the indentations between ribs.  Frees the breathing.

PC-1 - meeting point of the Pericardium, Gall Bladder, Liver and Sanjiao channels.

Conclusion

As usual, this essay is not meant to be a comprehensive treatment of acupressure, vis-a-vis jing gong, but only an introduction.  If you want to further explore acupressure, the clinical level texts are the only ones that provide decent information, imo.  Peter Deadman's A Manual of Acupuncture is currently the English language reference for acupoints, and is the standard acupoint textbook for Chinese medical schools throughout the western world.  Also, there's a less expensive, searchable CD version.

The English-language acupoint reference book, in hardback, CD, and flash cards.

RELATED LINKS

Palm and Sole Breathing - The practice of breathing through K-1 and PC-8, as related to Iron Shirt packing breathing.  Written by Dr. Jampa Mackenzie Stewart, D.O.M., L.Ac., and Senior Healing Tao Instructor.  Palm and sole breathing, through K-1 and PC-8, is a standard Taoist practice used in standing meditations (zhan zhuang).

The Four Bars - aka "The Four Gates".  

        Article from Blue Poppy Press re: a classic set of four "extremely important acupoints" (LI-4 on both hands and Liv-3 on both feet) that have broad application in resolving and harmonizing jing stagnation.  

        "When one needles these points, one opens what has formerly been closed or shut.  In particular, one is causing the source [kidney] qi to flow more freely into and through the channels and vessels."  

        "These two points regulate and rectify the qi mechanism of the entire body.  Therefore, their clinical application is broad and wide-ranging."

Taichong, Liver 3 - article on the acupoint Liv-3, from Compassionate Dragon.

        "Taichong is arguably one of the most important Acupuncture points on the body, ... Taichong's main action is to promote the free and easy flow of Qi in the body, which is the function of the Liver itself. When Qi is flowing easily, like a mountain stream, disharmony does not arise and there is no illness."
        "Finally, Taichong is paired with Hegu (Li4) in a combination known classically as 'The Four Gates'. The Four Gates are indicated for any painful obstruction anywhere in the body.."

Neiguan - Pericardium 6 - article on acupoint PC-6.  

        "Regulates the heart and calms the spirit.  Unbinds the chest and regulates qi. ... the single most important distal point for any kind of chest pain.  Opens the yinwei meridian (extraordinary channel)."

Zusanli - Stomach 36 - article on acupoint St-36.  

        "Zusanli is indicated for any disorder of the stomach, ... Many TCM physicians consider proper functioning of the 'middle' to be the key to treating almost any disorder.  If the body is properly nourished it can expel any invader and repair any damage that may be done."
        "As Zusanli is the point of choice for tonifying the middle, it is considered by many to be the single most important acupuncture point on the body."
        "Zusanli is the single most important point to stimulate the generation of Qi and blood in the stomach and spleen.  Post heaven or Jing Qi is derived from food (grain) and water through the action of the stomach and spleen.  Jing or nutrient Qi is important to 'top up' one's Original or Yuan Qi, stored in the Kidney."

Moxibustion Articles and the St-36 Meridian Point - another article on the St-36 acupoint.

        Increases stamina and energy. Provides stability and grounding.

        Health maintenance, "preventing illness before it shows its symptom" is the core idea in acupuncture and moxibustion theory.  Clearly, ancient people had a concept of that stage of illness that comes before illness shows its symptom, and they believed it best to treat illnesses at this stage.  This stage is called, in Chinese, "Mi Bing," and in Japanese "Mi Byo," which means "before illness."
        "Mi Bing" is closely related to the idea of longevity and moxibustion on the acupuncture point St 36 ...

ZuSanLi (Stomach-36) - yet another article on St-36.

        "Zusanli is one of the most frequently used of all acupuncture points and is certainly the most intensively studied single point treatment in acumoxa therapy.  The indications for use of this acupuncture point are many, and the claimed benefits are substantial."

Acupressure for Hypertension - article that includes information about several of the above acupoints (Liv-3, K-1, St-36).  Hypertension, btw, is a disharmony pertinent to semen retention.

Thank you! to DTaylor,  L.Ac., for initially warning me about attempting to resolve stagnation with only local acupoints.