Acupressure to Balance Screen Time
/ Guest UserTraditional Chinese medicine describes meridians, which are invisible channels in your body that carry energy called qi. These meridians begin at your fingertips, connect to your brain, and then to an organ or networks of organs to create a communication system. When a meridian is blocked or out of balance, it may manifest in a variety of symptoms or an illness.
Acupressure and acupuncture use specific points along these meridians to help address symptoms and to restore balance. What is the difference between acupressure and acupuncture? Acupressure uses self-massage to work with these points, while acupuncture uses needles.
Tai yang is one of the points along an energy meridian. Self-massage that includes this point increases blood flow to the eyes and can help reduce the pain of headaches. It is easy, without side effects, and safe to do.
Acupuncturist, Matt Schoenecker, demonstrates how to perform self-massage on the tai yang point
Acupressure has been found to be very effective at addressing pain. Having this tool at our own fingertips makes it a useful short-term and immediate solution. Acupuncture, with its use of needles, can more deeply address a more wide-ranging list of symptoms, issues, and illnesses and allow for longer-term benefits.
Acupuncture is used to address allergies, anxiety and depression, infertility, chronic pain, migraines, insomnia, morning sickness, hot flashes and night sweats, and more. Green Lotus has highly trained and skilled acupuncturists at each of our Twin Cities locations, and they look forward to helping you bring balance back to your qi.
Experience Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Matt Schoenecker is a licensed acupuncturist practicing at Green Lotus Yoga and Healing Center of Mendota, Minnesota. With special training in China, Matt has a wide range of clinical interests and experiences, including male and female fertility, men’s health, women’s health, diabetes, thyroid disorders, MS, chronic & acute musculoskeletal pain, digestive issues, mental and emotional issues, insomnia and sleep disorders, respiratory disorders, and many more. He is experienced in many different modalities, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tuina (Chinese massage), and cupping.
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