Tuesday, June 17, 2025
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • AMBASSADORS
  • BLOG
    • SPOTLIGHT
    • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • LIFESTYLE
    • YOGA + MOVEMENT
    • GEAR
    • TRAVEL
  • PODCAST
  • BOOK CLUB
  • PARTNERS
    • DIRECTORY
      • Directory – Colorado
      • Directory – Florida
      • Directory – Illinois
      • Directory – Iowa
      • Directory – Kansas
      • Directory – Michigan
      • Directory – Minnesota
      • Directory – Nebraska
      • Directory – North Dakota
      • Directory – Wisconsin
    • PROFILES
    • JOIN US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS CALENDAR
    • EVENT ROUND UP
  • SUBSCRIBE
Midwest Yoga Conference
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • AMBASSADORS
  • BLOG
    • SPOTLIGHT
    • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • LIFESTYLE
    • YOGA + MOVEMENT
    • GEAR
    • TRAVEL
  • PODCAST
  • BOOK CLUB
  • PARTNERS
    • DIRECTORY
      • Directory – Colorado
      • Directory – Florida
      • Directory – Illinois
      • Directory – Iowa
      • Directory – Kansas
      • Directory – Michigan
      • Directory – Minnesota
      • Directory – Nebraska
      • Directory – North Dakota
      • Directory – Wisconsin
    • PROFILES
    • JOIN US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS CALENDAR
    • EVENT ROUND UP
  • SUBSCRIBE
No Result
View All Result
Midwest Yoga Conference
No Result
View All Result

Pressure Points: Unlock Physical, Emotional and Cognitive Potential

by Christine Conti, M.Ed. (she/her)

Amy Zellmer by Amy Zellmer
December 18, 2023
in Health + Wellness
210 2
308
SHARES
1.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
December 18, 2023
in Health + Wellness

Navigating a post-pandemic world can be difficult. 

After years of living in isolation from family and friends and without the social stimulation from in-person interactions, a sedentary lifestyle has become the norm. Addictive and destructive social media platforms and the powerful influence of the mass media now fulfill the need for belonging and happiness. 

Chronic diseases such as depression, eating disorders, and drug and alcohol addiction resulted in an unprecedented number of suicide rates around the world. With stress levels on the rise, the need for tools and techniques to improve both physical and emotional health is paramount.

In fact, in a recent double-blind study of over one hundred young adults ages 13-19, 48.5% reported they experience elevated levels of stress multiple times each week, while 39.6% reported they experience elevated stress levels daily.

So, what is the solution? 

It is time to learn the most innovative and evidence-based methods to improve both physical and mental health: pressure point techniques. Pressure points, also known as trigger points, are areas around the body where you will apply pressure to restrict the flow of blood to shut down pain to a certain area. When the pressure releases, it causes an increase or gush of blood to flow to that area, hence improving the circulation throughout the entire body.

 By utilizing daily pressure point techniques, it is possible to:

  • Manage the most important stress hormones such as cortisol, glucagon, and prolactin. 
  • Improve concentration and memory.
  • Increase blood flow and circulation.
  • Emulate the brain stimulating and calming effects of exercise.
  • Foster inclusivity for ALL ages, fitness levels, and abilities.
  • Decrease stress and anxiety.
  • Improve social and emotional wellness.

But that’s not all!

According to New York University neuroscientist, Wendy Suzuki, “exercise stimulates growth factors and stores up cells in both parts of the brain… protecting your brain from aging and neurodegenerative diseases.” Therefore, your brain will function at a higher level for more years as you age.

Research shows exercise enhances short-term brain function by stimulating “…the release of a wide range of neurochemicals and neurotransmitters and growth factors. They include serotonin, dopamine, [and] endorphins” (Suzuki & Horton, 2020). In addition, long-term effects of exercise impact the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for problem solving and decision making, and the hippocampus, the part of the brain critical for memory and highly susceptible to aging.

Now, you may be wondering how using pressure point techniques relates to the effects of exercise on the brain. The answer is quite simple. Once you learn the locations and purpose of major pressure points throughout the body, you will be able to emulate its effects. Fascinatingly enough, it IS possible to replicate the physiological effects of exercise on various regions of the brain.

For example, if you apply medium pressure for about 1-2 minutes to various pressure points throughout the body, you will experience a variety of physical and emotional benefits! It’s time to explore the endless possibilities of infusing pressure point release techniques into your daily health and wellness routines.

Try these: 

  • Improve Concentration/Focus: Press on the top/crown of the head. 
  • Reduce Tension Headaches: Apply pressure between your thumb and index finger.
  • Reduce Stress: Squeeze between your eyes with your thumb and index finger.
  • Improve Energy/Mood: Press on the outer edge below the kneecap.
  • Lower Anxiety: Press in the center of the chest next to the heart.
  • Induce Relaxation/Improve Sleep: Press on the sole of the foot in the groove that appears when you curl the toes.
  • Reduce Back Pain: Apply pressure to the back of the knee.

 

Christine is an international award-winning fitness educator, chronic disease wellness specialist and consultant. A best-selling author, keynote speaker, and creator of ten medical and fitness courses, she founded Conti Fitness and Wellness and Reinventing the Woman LLC. Her personal battle with chronic illness led to her ongoing research to prevent and reduce symptoms of disease through exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. Christine has since run over 50 marathons and completed 3 IRONMAN and 100-mile races. She believes ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Related Posts

Why Yoga is Incomplete without Āyurveda
Health + Wellness

Why Yoga is Incomplete without Āyurveda

March 3, 2025
Your Vibe is Lovely ~ Inclusive Sound Healing
Health + Wellness

Your Vibe is Lovely ~ Inclusive Sound Healing

February 12, 2025
Harmonizing Body and Mind: EFT Tapping and Sound Baths in Yoga
Health + Wellness

Harmonizing Body and Mind: EFT Tapping and Sound Baths in Yoga

February 3, 2025
Wellness Pros and Our Own Wellness
Health + Wellness

Wellness Pros and Our Own Wellness

January 22, 2025
Becoming a Boundary Boss
Health + Wellness

Becoming a Boundary Boss

January 13, 2025
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Tags: nourishpressure pointsrollgastress relieftrigger points
Share123Tweet77
Previous Post

Nourishing the Spirit: Beating the Winter Blues

Next Post

Exploring the Magnificent Natchez Trace Parkway

SIGN UP

BLOG

Call for Content

Call for Content

May 29, 2025 in Uncategorized We are seeking stories for the upcoming SUMMER issue of Midwest YOGA magazine, due out August 1st.  *** Please read this ENTIRE POST … as our submission [...]

Read more

Email Blast Digital Marketing Sale

May 19, 2025 in Uncategorized Buy Three, Get One FREE Take advantage of our most popular digital marketing method and get your brand/studio/product in front of thousands of readers and [...]

Read more
Fall + Winter Recipes

Fall + Winter Recipes

March 18, 2025 in Lifestyle As the days lengthen and a chill isl in the air we tend to move towards more hearty and filling dishes. Here I have gathered [...]

Read more
Save a Fox: A Sanctuary of Compassion and Healing

Save a Fox: A Sanctuary of Compassion and Healing

March 17, 2025 in Spotlight In a world often too busy to notice the smaller creatures among us, there exists a sanctuary dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of [...]

Read more
Shiva, Shakti, and the Divine Non-binary:  Viewing Queerness Through the Eyes of Yoga

Shiva, Shakti, and the Divine Non-binary: Viewing Queerness Through the Eyes of Yoga

March 14, 2025 in Yoga + Movement The original yoga teachings say we all contain divine masculine and divine feminine aspects within ourselves. One cannot exist without the other. Shiva [...]

Read more
Strengthen Your Karma Yoga Practice

Strengthen Your Karma Yoga Practice

March 13, 2025 in Yoga + Movement As much as I love yoga, one thing bothers me. Westernized modern yoga focuses far too much on our bodies rather than our [...]

Read more
An excerpt from Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor’s Unlikely Adventure

An excerpt from Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor’s Unlikely Adventure

March 12, 2025 in Lifestyle This excerpt is from the team’s prolonged trek to base camp in Tibet which should have taken five days but was stretching on endlessly because [...]

Read more
Blossoming Wellness: The Story of the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda

Blossoming Wellness: The Story of the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda

March 11, 2025 in Spotlight In the picturesque suburb of Eden Prairie stands a beacon of holistic healing - the Minnesota Institute of Ayurveda (MNIA). The genesis of MNIA is [...]

Read more
An excerpt from: Mindful Practice: A Beginner’s Guide To Vibrant Living

An excerpt from: Mindful Practice: A Beginner’s Guide To Vibrant Living

March 10, 2025 in Lifestyle Mantra: Just be you. “Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.”  Rumi After my car accident, I had [...]

Read more
JunoActive: Redefining Fitness and Fashion in the Twin Cities

JunoActive: Redefining Fitness and Fashion in the Twin Cities

March 7, 2025 in Spotlight, Uncategorized In the heart of the Twin Cities, where the spirit of innovation and inclusivity thrives, there's a brand that's revolutionizing the way we think [...]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.

© Copyright 2024 | Midwest YOGA Magazine

Disclaimer

  • HOME
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • AMBASSADORS
  • BLOG
    • SPOTLIGHT
    • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • LIFESTYLE
    • YOGA + MOVEMENT
    • GEAR
    • TRAVEL
  • PODCAST
  • BOOK CLUB
  • PARTNERS
    • DIRECTORY
      • Directory – Colorado
      • Directory – Florida
      • Directory – Illinois
      • Directory – Iowa
      • Directory – Kansas
      • Directory – Michigan
      • Directory – Minnesota
      • Directory – Nebraska
      • Directory – North Dakota
      • Directory – Wisconsin
    • PROFILES
    • JOIN US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS CALENDAR
    • EVENT ROUND UP
  • SUBSCRIBE