Woman Demonstrates Jin Shin Jyutsu Hand Reflexology For Emotional Relief

Though many people in Western cultures rely heavily on modern medicine to heal their ailments,

others claim that this is a limited approach to achieving your best health. Practices like acupuncture and massage therapy have existed for thousands of years, and people have turned to these therapies to assist in resolving problems with pain, recovery after physical trauma (like a car accident) and treatment of headaches, to name a few. However, these therapies are not as widely practiced in Western cultures. Since each person, and therefore each body, reacts differently to any given treatment, some people might find it beneficial to try a variety of treatments that pull from both Eastern and Western medicinal and healing practices.

The ancient healing practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu has traditionally been used

to assist in the treatment of ailments such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic neck or back pain and sciatica, among many others. It is said to have originated before even the birth of Moses or Buddha. Originating in Japan, the healing art was passed from one generation to the next via word of mouth, according to Capital Complementary Therapies Centre.

In the 1950s, an Asian-American woman named Mary Burmeister traveled to Japan where she met Jiro Murai,

who had devoted his life to learning and understanding the practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu after it helped him recover from a serious illness in the early 1900s. According to Capital Complementary Therapies Centre, Burmeister made the practice more prominent in the United States after returning to Scottsdale, Arizona, where she began training others in the practice.

The image series below shows one facet of Jin Shin Jyutsu

that involves lightly pulling on or gently squeezing each finger to help relieve negative or harmful mental states, such as anxiety, fear or anger.

"Jin Shin Jyutsu is the Art of releasing tensions which are the causes for various symptoms in the body. Our bodies contain several energy pathways that feed life into all of our cells. When one or more of these paths become blocked, this damming effect may lead to discomfort or even pain.... Through Jin Shin Jyutsu our awareness is awakened to the simple fact that we are endowed with the ability to harmonize and balance ourselves (in rhythm with the universe) physically, mentally and spiritually."

Jin Shin Jyutsu is by no means a substitute for seeing a doctor about these conditions,

but it can be a helpful supplementary tool for some people.

Practicing deep breathing -- taking long, sustained inhales followed by long, controlled exhales -- can help relax the body and mind as you work your way through these simple motions. Steady your breathing, then gently pull on the finger that correlates with the negative mental state you are experiencing.

1. Gently pull on your pinky finger to help calm feelings of insecurity or nervousness.

2. Gently pull on your ring finger to help combat sadness and grief.

3. Feeling angry, frustrated, indecisive or fatigued? Give your middle finger a gentle pull.

4. Gently pull your index finger to aid in calming feelings of fear.

5. For bouts of worry, stress or tension, gently pull on your thumb.