Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/78617
3 Motor point of trapezius 4 Spine Scapula Bladder-10 Gallbladder-20 Erector spinae 5 5. Acupressure points on the occipital ridge. Stand or sit at the client's left side. Place your left hand gently on the client's forehead (above the eyebrows). Place the broad surface of your right palm with a firm pressure on the back of the neck. Hold for a few seconds to allow the client to relax into this hold. Located on the occipital ridge, the Bladder-10 points are lateral to the midline and approximately 1½–2 inches apart. The Gallbladder-20 points are further lateral, approximately 3–3½ inches apart. Apply specific contact pressure to these points with your thumb and/or fingertips. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat according to the preferences of the client. The Bladder-10 points are often referred to as the "eye points," because they are known to relieve eyestrain and discomforts of the eyes. The Gallbladder-20 points, along with the Gallbladder-21 points (motor points of the mid-trapezius muscle), are helpful in alleviating head, neck, and shoulder tension. They are especially important in working with vision-related body issues, as they also contribute to overall relaxation of the body (Image 5). 6. Closing. Standing behind the client, place the palms of your hands over the motor points of the mid-trapezius on the top of the shoulders as in Step 1. Let the warmth of your hands penetrate into the motor points. Hold for a few seconds, then bring your hands away from the body about 1 inch. Hold for a second, then let your hands come completely away from the client's body to end the treatment. Whether in your massage practice or your daily life, your ability to respond to people with blindness or visual impairment can make a big difference to them. With your kind intentions and curiosity, you open the door to an expanded quality of life for those with visual impairment and bring new insights into your own awareness. Notes 1. Elaine N. Marieb and Katja Hoehn, Human Anatomy and Physiology (Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2007). 2. Mary Kathleen Rose, "Grief and Loss: Providing a Safe Haven for Clients," Massage & Bodywork (July/August 2011): 60–7. 3. Mary Kathleen Rose, "Seated Massage: Time to Sit up Straight and Relax," Massage & Bodywork (February/March 2006): 26–33. Mary Kathleen Rose would like to thank Dr. Paulette Foss—area coordinator for American Council of the Blind of Colorado, hintsforthehardofseeing@gmail.com—whose work was invaluable for this article. The developer of Comfort Touch nurturing acupressure, Mary Kathleen Rose, BA, CMT, is dedicated to holistic health education. An ardent advocate for the elderly and the ill, she provides training and support for palliative massage in hospices, home care, and medical settings. Rose is the author of Comfort Touch: Massage for the Elderly and the Chronically Ill (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009). She can be reached through www.comforttouch.com or 303-651-9375.