Shock Points

Shock Points for You and Your Horse

By Lisa Wieben

In my last health article I discussed the use of Bach Rescue Remedy. This month we will look at Shock in the body and other tools we can use to help calm the body. The combination of Bach Remedies and the use of acupressure points can greatly reduce the shock reaction and allow the body to heal more quickly. While these tools are not a replacement for Western Medicine or Veterinary care, they can be used in conjunction with to help with stress, emotions, and the healing process.

Irecently broke my ankle. While I used Rescue Remedy after returning home, as an Energy Medicine Practitioner, I could also test to see if the effects of shock were still in my body days after the initial injury. Shock is an intense emotional and physical reaction to trauma. Cells in the body need energy, oxygen, and glucose carried by the blood. In severe shock the balance of these may be disrupted resulting in the body’s tissues not receiving enough.

Working with the shock point is a simple energetic first aid procedure that can often stop the energetic and physical progression that follows shock. In the case of past shock in your lifetime it can help heal the residue of previous trauma. Working with the shock point also helps to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. In people, the Shock Points are located at the bottom of the heels. If you receive bad news you can press your own shock point or place the heel of your foot on a hard knob and press down. In the case of an emergency/accident pressing on the shock points and massaging around the heel and ankle while waiting for an ambulance can greatly reduce the effects of shock. Because I broke my leg I could not have anyone press on the shock points but could imagine pressing hard on the points. I also worked with several meridians (energetic pathways) that can be affected by shock. In horses, the Shock/Colic Point is located at the tip of the horse’s ears. It does not matter that you know exactly where the location of the point is, just massaging the tip of the ears, activating these pressure points, can affect positive change in respiratory, digestive, and even the reproductive systems. In the case of colic, working with these points while waiting for the vet could have the effect of reversing the colic. If it does not work completely it will still have the effect of calming the horse, and easing their comfort during the stressful, painful time. As an add-on you could also swipe gently from the base of the back of the ear to the tip, massaging the tip each time. The ears and the base around them contain many acupressure points, which are points along the meridians, or energetic pathways throughout the body, which are associated with the organs.

Endurance riders use working with the ears in this way to lower a horse’s pulse and respiration during races. It helps to improve circulation, while bringing the horse into a more relaxed state. It can also be used to help foaling mares by easing their pain and helping them to recover faster.

Keep this handy in your first aid kit as a reminder of a gentle way to help your horse and yourself when experiencing shock or during a stressful time.

Lisa Wieben is a Bach Flower Level 1 (soon to be Level 2), an Essential Somatic Clinical Practitioner, an Eden Method Clinical Practitioner, a Centered Riding Instructor, Equine Canada Competition Coach, and Irwin Insights Level 7 Coach. Her passion is developing Confident Healthy Riders. www.somaticrider.com

(See her listing in our Business Services section under TRAINERS)