The human body never ceases to amaze.

For example, its intricate system of muscles and reflexes are closely linked and work in harmony – which means rubbing the correct pressure points can provide relief from many common muscle ailments. Try these tips, they work!

1. Backache and stiff back muscles

Tight muscles in the lower back cause pain and poor posture.
By rubbing the correct pressure points you can make the muscles in your lower back work more effectively so you can walk and run freely.
Sportspeople need strong core muscles to support the back and increase flexibility, which will improve performance on the sportsfield.

Do this test:

• Stand up and sit down twice to get a measure of how you feel.


• Now rub either side of your navel with some force for 30 seconds, then along the back of your neck for another 30 seconds.


• Now stand up and sit down again.


• You should feel freer and lighter and your lower back movement should be easier.


• The points you have just rubbed enable your gluteus and thigh muscles to fire correctly and in sync. The body is no longer fighting itself to perform the movement. When tested in a gym an athlete on a leg-press machine was able to go from 140 kg to 220 kg by rubbing these points.

Nausea
Rubbing this pressure point is great for combatting motion sickness and general nausea. Measure three thumb-widths up from your wrist crease. Press down on this point then rub in circles.

Stop that sneeze!
Using your finger, rub your upper lip just below your nose. This often helps to block the body’s sneeze reflex.

Headaches
A quick fix for headaches is an acupressure point next to your thumb. Squeeze this point with your thumb and forefinger for 30 seconds on each hand.

YOU Pulse Summer 2007/8