Friday, March 27, 2015

The Enshin "Ring"

Enshin "Ring"

Recently I was asked to make an Enshin "Ring."  I had never handled a tool like this so I was not sure what to expect, but now I think I am in love. The enshin "ring" is held between the pointer and middle fingers (most often) and can be used to stroke, wave, tap or even grip the meridian.  This tool is very different in use than many more standard acupuncture tools because it is a very active/yang tool.  Most tools require that you use your left/yin/receptive hand in use, but this one is pure yang, belonging in the right hand and having movement as its key use.  I was feeling a bit like I was coming down with a cold the day I finished this tool and used the domed end to rub down the length of my lower leg stomach meridian, followed by tapping the balled end on points along my occipital ridge.  Immediately, the fatigue was lifted and the soreness of my throat dissipated and I was able to avoid becoming sick.  This tool is wonderful for treating broad lengths of meridian like the portions of the large intestine and stomach meridians distal to the elbows and knees and especially the length of the bladder meridian along the spine and calves.  Tapping with the balled end on the occiput and shoulder regions is very effective in dissipating shoulder tension.  I believe this tool shines in self treatment techniques such as some of the qi gong self cultivation techniques.  One of the reasons for this is that the tool fits so nicely in the hands, it takes no conscious effort to use and becomes a natural extension of the hands.  Many times when we treat ourselves, the concentration required to manipulate the tool or insert needles doesn't allow us to be fully receptive to the treatment.  This tool has reminded me how important self treatment is, not only for our own health but so that we have an understanding, as practitioners, of what our patients are experiencing.


1 comment:

Knowledge Fire said...

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