Dr. Marlene Siegel DVM
The Power of Touch
Animals use their innate intelligence and heart connection, seeking to touch us when they sense our pain, both physical and emotional. They also seek and thrive on our touch. As animal lovers, we readily recognize the comforting nuzzle of a dog or the soothing presence of a cat lying on us. But do animals instinctively recognize the healing power of touch? Humans, too, instinctively place their hands on areas of discomfort on their bodies, and similarly, we touch our pets when they are hurting or scared.
What Is Jin Shin Jyutsu?
Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) emerges as an energetic touch therapy, offering a gentle and non-invasive approach to restoring balance and vitality in ourselves and our animal companions. It represents an art form that harmonizes the life energy within the body, with origins dating back over 3,000 years, deeply rooted in ancient wisdom while remaining profoundly relevant today. This acupressure therapy, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, involves the application of light finger pressure on specific body points to facilitate the restoration of energy flow.
The Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu
Master Jiro Murai's rediscovery of this ancient art in Japan over a century ago paved the way for its introduction to the West by Mary Burmeister. Central to Jin Shin Jyutsu is the concept of life force energy, known as “Qi,” which traverses the body along designated pathways. Self-therapy is achieved through gentle touch on designated points, known as Safety Energy Locks, aimed at releasing blockages and reinstating internal harmony.
Unlike many other massage and oriental healing modalities, Jin Shin Jyutsu distinguishes itself by involving minimal pressure. Practitioners employ a technique of “holding” points while synchronizing with their breath, effectively acting as conduits to redirect or unblock the flow of energy along its pathways. By intuitively feeling for energy pulses over specific channels in a harmonizing sequence, or "flow," practitioners seek to unblock pathways and restore the natural rhythm of energy circulation within the body.
Integration of Jin Shin Jyutsu in the Veterinary World
The therapeutic benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu are extensive, proving effective in addressing a wide spectrum of health concerns in animals, ranging from acute injuries to chronic conditions. It has demonstrated efficacy in pain alleviation, inflammation reduction, and overall wellness enhancement, supporting the natural healing processes of the body.
Jin Shin Jyutsu can be used to help pets, whether they are undergoing veterinary treatment or are about to have an operation. Jin Shin Jyutsu has a strengthening effect after surgical interventions, supports the healing process, and makes it easier for pets to tolerate anesthetics.
Jin Shin Jyutsu can also provide comfort and peace for pets that are transitioning at the end of their lives. This gentle touch therapy can help calm them and make their journey to the other side more peaceful.
In recent years, this holistic therapy has gained recognition among veterinarians and animal enthusiasts worldwide as a valuable tool for promoting the health and happiness of animals. It is a technique that pet parents can learn to support the health of their animals while fostering deeper bonds between them and their fur babies.
Its gentle approach, versatile applications, and emphasis on holistic wellness have integrated it into many animal care routines, offering hope and healing across diverse contexts.
Enhancing Well-Being and Healing for Veterinarians and Support Staff
Beyond its direct benefits for animals, Jin Shin Jyutsu holds profound implications for veterinarians and support staff within the demanding field of veterinary medicine. This practice provides a crucial means for practitioners to center themselves, connect with their breath, and enter a parasympathetic state, thereby aiding in their ability to synchronize their energy with that of their patients and clients. Given the high-stress nature of veterinary medicine, characterized by alarming statistics on burnout and suicide, Jin Shin Jyutsu emerges as a vital strategy for mitigating stress and promoting mental well-being among veterinary professionals.
Research published by the National Library of Medicine in 2022 underscores the prevalence of work-related stress and mental health challenges among veterinarians, highlighting elevated risks of burnout, anxiety, and depression compared to the general population and other occupational groups. Studies conducted between 2000 and 2021 reveal compelling data on the impact of workload and stressors within veterinary practice, underscoring the urgent need for effective stress management strategies.
Statistics from the US CDC National Center for Health Statistics, published in 2019, further illuminate the gravity of mental health issues within the veterinary profession, with nearly 400 veterinarians reported to have died by suicide between 1979 and 2015. The findings emphasize that male veterinarians are twice as likely, and female veterinarians are nearly four times as likely, as the general population to die by suicide.
Jin Shin Jyutsu Finger Holds
Many of the Jin Shin Jyutsu energy pathways, intricately connected with the fingers, are believed to regulate approximately 14,400 bodily functions. By applying specific techniques to hold the fingers in particular configurations, practitioners can effectively balance and harmonize energy throughout their entire body.
This approach seamlessly integrates into the demanding schedules of veterinary professionals, providing rapid and effective stress relief. Veterinarians can incorporate Jin Shin Jyutsu into their daily routines, dedicating brief intervals between client appointments to focus on specific finger holds or energy points, thereby recalibrating their energy and enhancing mental clarity. Such practices empower veterinarians to approach each patient interaction with renewed focus and calmness, optimizing their ability to deliver compassionate care.
The strategic integration of Jin Shin Jyutsu at the beginning and end of each day further consolidates its role in fostering overall well-being among veterinary professionals. Devoting just fifteen minutes each morning to connect with the breath and engage in Jin Shin Jyutsu techniques can establish a positive foundation for the day ahead. Similarly, concluding the day with a Jin Shin Jyutsu session offers an opportunity to release accumulated stress and prepare the mind and body for restful sleep. These intentional practices contribute significantly to building resilience against the demanding pressures of veterinary medicine, promoting sustained mental health and enhancing the capacity for empathetic patient care.
Scientific Basis and Mechanism of Jin Shin Jyutsu
Sixty years ago, scientists began exploring biological processes through the lens of quantum physics, providing a framework to understand the subtle energies that healers have worked with for millennia. This scientific exploration has revealed fascinating insights into the role of fascia, the connective tissue that permeates the body. Fascia, composed of collagen proteins arranged with water molecules in a structured manner akin to crystals, acts as a conductor for the flow of electrons and protons within the body. Scientists postulate that acupuncture meridians, referred to as flows in Jin Shin Jyutsu, may represent pathways of decreased resistance for these subatomic particles within the crystalline matrix of tissue. This free movement of electrons and protons is believed to play a crucial role in the body's healing processes by facilitating energy flow and restoring balance.
James Oschman, in his work "Energy Medicine in Therapeutics and Human Performance," delves into these concepts, offering insights into how practices like Jin Shin Jyutsu harness these subtle energies to promote health and wellness.
Clinical Studies and Evidence
Recent studies have underscored the tangible benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu in various healthcare settings. For instance, a study (“Not Just a Theory”: The Relationship Between Jin Shin Jyutsu® Self-Care Training for Nurses and Stress, Physical Health, Emotional Health, and Caring Efficacy) revealed compelling outcomes. Nurses who committed to daily self-help practices over a one-month period reported significant improvements in their emotional and physical well-being. Specifically, participants experienced increases in positive outlook, gratitude, motivation, calmness, and communication effectiveness. Conversely, they noted decreases in anger, resentfulness, depression, stress symptoms, time pressure, and morale issues. Additionally, nurses reported fewer incidences of muscle aches, sleeplessness, and headaches.
These findings suggest that Jin Shin Jyutsu self-care practices not only mitigate stress and enhance emotional resilience but also augment caring efficacy among healthcare professionals.
Cardiovascular Benefits and Clinical Applications
Research into Jin Shin Jyutsu has explored its cardiovascular benefits, particularly following stroke (Cardiovascular Benefits of Acupressure (Jin Shin) Following Stroke published by PubMed). Active acupressure treatments, a core component of Jin Shin Jyutsu, have been associated with significant reductions in heart rate compared to placebo treatments.
These cardiovascular findings underscore Jin Shin Jyutsu's role in regulating physiological responses and promoting cardiovascular health post-stroke. While more extensive studies are warranted to elucidate its full spectrum of effects, these initial findings highlight its promise as an adjunctive therapy in rehabilitation settings.
Attitudes Associated With Each Finger
There is a primary emotion (what Jin Shin Jyutsu calls “attitudes”) associated with each finger. As you can see under the additional benefits I’ve listed below, there are also other attitudes associated with each finger, as well as physical symptoms. You can target these attitudes and symptoms by holding specific fingers, connecting to the breath and setting an intention to release the negative energy.
Additional benefits: For depression, hate, obsession, anxiety, self-protection, to revitalize physical fatigue, for the back of the head, breathing, and digestive discomforts. Hold the thumb for 3-5 minutes or until you feel a “pulse”. Connect to your breath and set the intention to let go of emotions that no longer serve you.
Additional benefits: For timidity, mental confusion, depression, perfectionism, criticism, frustration, digestive issues, elimination, wrist/elbow/upper arm discomforts. Hold the Index finger for 3-5 minutes or until you feel a “pulse”. Connect to your breath and set the intention to let go of emotions that no longer serve you.
Additional benefits: For feeling cowardly, irritable, indecisive, unstable, not alert, overly emotional, general fatigue, eye issues, and forehead discomforts. Hold the middle finger for 3-5 minutes or until you feel a “pulse”. Connect to your breath and set the intention to let go of emotions that no longer serve you.
Additional benefits: For negative feelings, common sense, excess mucus, breathing, ear discomforts. Hold the ring finger for 3-5 minutes or until you feel a “pulse”. Connect to your breath and set the intention to let go of emotions that no longer serve you.
Additional benefits: For feeling insecure, nervous, confused, issues of “why am I here,” calms nerves, aids bloating. Hold the little finger for 3-5 minutes or until you feel a “pulse”. Connect to your breath and set the intention to let go of emotions that no longer serve you.
There is an acronym to help you remember the primary attitude associated with each finger. It’s “Get rid of Worry FAST.” W is for Worry (thumb), F for Fear (index), A for Anger (middle), S for Sadness (ring), and T for Trying To (little).
How to Practice Holding the Fingers
There are two primary methods to practice holding the fingers. You can either hold all ten fingers, starting with one hand and then the other, or you can focus on the attitudes and benefits associated with just one finger at a time.
Focusing on One Finger
When concentrating on a single finger, there are two main approaches:
The "Quickie" Hold: In Jin Shin Jyutsu, holding just one finger is known as a “quickie.” This involves holding a finger on one hand with the fingers and thumb of the other hand. For example, to hold the left thumb, wrap all four fingers of your right hand around your left thumb. You might choose to hold your thumb if you’re feeling worried. Similarly, you might hold your ring finger to alleviate symptoms like tinnitus. It doesn’t matter whether you hold fingers on your left or right hand, as energy pathways cross over from one side of the body to the other. The key is to do what feels most convenient in the moment.
Extended Sequence: The second approach is to use a longer sequence for a particular finger, combining the holds of several fingers one after the other. For example, the extended sequence for Worry involves holding the thumb, then the middle finger, followed by the little finger.
Duration for Holding a Finger
There are multiple options for how long to hold a finger:
If time permits, hold all ten fingers, each until you feel a pulse arrive. If the finger is already pulsing strongly, hold it until the pulse calms down.
Alternatively, you can hold each finger for two or more breaths, a practice that can be done throughout the day and is very meditative and relaxing.
For a single finger “quickie,” you can hold for as long as you like. For instance, if you’re at work and feeling angry, you can discreetly hold your middle finger under the table until the emotion softens.
Conclusion
Jin Shin Jyutsu emerges as a transformative practice with profound implications for both veterinary professionals and pet parents alike. Rooted in ancient wisdom and supported by contemporary research, this gentle yet powerful touch therapy offers a pathway to balance, healing, and resilience in the face of demanding challenges. By integrating Jin Shin Jyutsu into daily routines, veterinarians can cultivate a state of mental and emotional equilibrium, mitigating the risks of burnout and enhancing their capacity for compassionate care. Similarly, pet owners can harness the therapeutic benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu to support the health and happiness of their beloved animals, thereby strengthening the bond between human and animal companionship.
This article pays tribute to my dear friend Kelly, whose deep love for Jin Shin Jyutsu continues to inspire and guide us, bridging the realms of healing from across the veil.
Resources:
Marlene Siegel, DVM
BRMI Veterinary Advisor
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the direct care of a qualified health practitioner who oversees and provides unique and individualized care. The information provided here is to broaden our different perspectives and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.