‘Oy Vey!’ Acupressure for Adrenal Repair!

We all possess an amazing inner wisdom, a wisdom of the body (and spirit), that’s just waiting to be tapped for healing and wholeness.

I was just reading about the work of psychologist and researcher, Dr. William Emerson. His work focuses on the pervasiveness of prenatal and perinatal shock and trauma, and the impact these debilitating (and common) experiences have on our mind, body and spirit. He specifically focuses on wear and tear to the adrenal glands as a pathway to multi-system illness.

The growing literature concerning the treatment of shock and trauma often extols the virtue of addressing the body directly, since the biological energy that’s aroused by shock is stored in the tissues. There are a variety of somatic approaches that can be supportive.

I often prefer the more subtle, gentle, safe and inviting approaches, combined with an attitude of respectful, accepting, and patient attentiveness. Humor is good too.

The effects of old, unresolved trauma and shock can be triggered at any time, leaving us feeling angry, agitated, fearful …. you name it. It’s comforting to know that we can shift our energy out of that reactionary, fight or flight, reptilian brain, back into the more ‘human’ neocortex. When we make this shift, more and more consistently, the adrenal glands begin to heal.

Here’s a technique from the Touch for Health book that I’ve used most days since 1986. It can easily be used on yourself, a friend, or a child.

Here’s the technique, called Emotional Stress Release, or ESR.

1. Acknowledge that your reptilian brain has been triggered. There are a number of four letter words that can be recognized as sure signs this shift in neurology has occurred.
2. Gently hold, very light pressure will do, two points that lie one inch above the center of each eyebrow, in line with the pupils of your eyes. You can place the thumb of your hand on one point and rest any other finger on the other point. Or, you can simply rest your entire palm on your forehead while exclaiming, “Oy vey”!
3. Next, take a few gentle conscious breaths while noticing your upset feelings, while you continue to hold the two points. You can take just a few breaths and move on, or if you have the time, you can spend up to twenty minutes mindfully attending to your inner experience while breathing gently and holding the points.
4. Be grateful for any beneficial shift, relief, insight, or new understanding that emerges.

This simple, subtle energy technique, moves energy pre-frontally, away from the amygdala, while giving the adrenal glands a much needed rest. All subtle energy techniques become more effective the more they are used. Results are most definitely cumulative.

Dr. Templin offers online courses and consultations, and sees patients personally in his office in Lakeland, Florida. You can learn more about his course Bio-Energetic Focusing: A Revolutionary Medical Model for Self-Healing! here.

Steven Templin, D.O.M., Dipl. Ac., is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, specializing in MindBody Medicine. He is a certified META-Medicine Health Coach and nationally certified acupuncturist. He shares the underlying science and more importantly, the practical tools for resolving the unconscious energetic and emotional roots of illness. In his online course Bio-Energetic Focusing: A Revolutionary Medical Model for Self-Healing! he provides training in Self-Regulation skills, that include Bio-Energetic Focusing, HeartMath and Energy Psychology techniques,  Energy Medicine modalities, and Gastrointestinal repair for enhanced immunity, mood, and mental clarity. Dr. Templin is in private practice in Lakeland, Florida, at the Natural Medicine Center of Lakeland.