DIY Acupuncture- The Five Tigers

Add a Comment

August 12, 2:19 PM

by Michael Max, Seattle Chinese Medicine Examiner

 

The Five Tigers come from the Tung Style school of acupuncture. They are especially useful treating foot and heel pain, but can also be used for finger and palm pain, sciatica, and those of you with carpel tunnel may find them useful as well.

The tigers, numbered one thru five,  are located on the lower part of the thumb, on the border between the skin of the hand and that of the palm; look for color change between these two kinds of skin.Tiger number one is located closest to the end of the finger, and tiger number five is closest to the wrist. All the others are equidistant between these points.

.

Tiger one treats palm and finger pain, and sometimes helps carpel tunnel as well.

Tiger two helps to strengthen the effect of tiger one.

Tiger three treats pain in the toes.

Tiger four treats instep or dorsal foot pain, also when used with tiger five can treat some kinds of back pain and sciatica.

Tiger five is  excellent for heel pain, especially from bone spurs or plantar fasciitis.

You already know that acupuncture is not just sticking needles into people. So, how do you stimulate the big cats? It is easy. You can can use your finger nail to find the spot that  is tender and then press hard. Try it when you actually are in the  midst of suffering with foot pain, or sciatica. Rub firmly along that line between the two colors of skin, find the point or points that are tender and then dig in with your nail. Sure it will feel tender, but when your foot pain lessens or goes away, the slight discomfort in your thumb will seem like nothing.

   Subscribe   Feed

Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use