Self-Help When You're Sick

This is the time of year when everyone starts getting sick. Flu, Strep Throat, Bronchitis... Whether you've already gotten sick, or you'd like to avoid that fate, try these simple self-help holds to bring your body back to wellness.

Remember, there is no wrong way to do Jin Shin Jyutsu... except not to do it. Play with these holds and use the ones you like best. Use them as often as you want, at least daily, for best results. You don't have to be sitting quietly in meditation either. These simple holds are great to do while you're watching tv.

Small Intestine Anchor Step for Sore Throat

For this hold, you'll want to place your left hand about 3 finger-widths down from your left collarbone (about the third rib level at Safety Energy Lock 13), and place your right hand on your right shoulder, just at the base of the neck at Safety Energy Lock 11.

You can hold this for 20 minutes or for 36 breaths. Then if you have time, swap your hands and hold the other side. Do this daily for best results. Yes, you can do this multiple times in a day.

Coughing

Option one is to hold Safety Energy Lock 19, which is located on the outside of your elbows along the thumb side. You don't have to use any pressure, but if you do press down, you may notice this area is very tender. That's a good sign it needs to be harmonized. Hold this until your coughing fit passes, and then continue to hold throughout the day to support your body.

Option two is to hold Safety Energy Lock 1, located at the inside of the knee. This is the Prime Mover and will help get any stuck energy moving again in your body. This is also good to hold if you are choking. You can hold your knees with your arms crossed or uncrossed. Try it both ways; you may find you prefer one over the other. You can also hold your Hi-1's, the inner mid-thigh.

JSJ "Antibiotic"

I use this hold all the time to keep my body balanced. It is good for any kind of infection - viral, bacterial, fungal... It supports the respiratory and lymph systems and boosts the immune system overall.

Hold your right shoulder with your left hand. If you can comfortably reach the top of your shoulder blade, near the spine, do so (Safety Energy Lock 3). If it isn't comfortable to reach that far, that's okay. Simply drape your hand over your shoulder. With your right hand, make a ring with your fingers so that the pad of your thumb covers the nail of your index finger. Hold for about 3-5 minutes or longer, then make a ring with your thumb and middle finger. Continue for the ring and little fingers. If you have time, go ahead and hold the other side too. If not, you can come back to it later.