Self-Care
Self-Care Resources
MAS staff are happy to provide an ever-growing depository of self-care information.
One of the many lessons learned from the pandemic lockdowns was there's an eager audience for do-it-yourself information about acupressure, especially in the absence of one's regular acupuncture treatments.
The following are MAS-endorsed, simple, self-care skills that have proven useful to many.
Ear Acupressure Videos & Research
If you would like to learn more about ear acupressure using seeds and beads, this online training by our colleagues at Public Health Acupuncture New Mexico may be of interest. In addition, the following videos are likely worth your time.
Ear Acupressure Research
Why ear seeds?
Acupressure on the ear with beads or seeds is easy to learn and easy to do. Plus, the impacts on mental and physical health can be tremendous.
Single and double blind studies in the following populations show that ear acupressure on the "ear shenmen" point can reduce fatigue, anxiety, stress, and pain. It also shows lower heart rate and blood pressure.
- Behavioral healthcare providers
- Post cesarean-section patients
- ADD/ADHD children
- Patients transported by ambulance
- Elderly patients recovering from hip fractures
Our colleague, acupuncturist Victoria Taylor, made a great video demonstrating how to apply acupressure beads to ear shen men and reverse shenmen: https://beadsandseeds.com/
We recommend the following companies for purchasing ear seeds, with links.Lhasa OMSGolden NeedleAcureaAcu-MarketEar seeds are also available through big online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
Do-It-Yourself videos with Elizabeth Ropp, LAc.
From video creator and MAS acupuncturist Elizabeth Ropp:This was my 2020 Shelter in Place project. The following videos were created in response to requests from patients.
If you have a request for a topic that we did not cover, please let us know and we will try to create one.