Su Jok for Instant Pain Relief

There are different patterns of foot-organ correspondences, in addition

to patterns for the scalp, nose, face, hand, finger and eyes. For example, there
are various corresponding systems of auriculotherapy, most notably the
Chinese and French models. There is even a system of organ correspondence
along all of the long bones of the body.
It is apparent that no particular system is the "right" pattern. There are
many reasons for studying and applying microsystems. They are very
efficient to administer; they give instant results (especially in acute pain
situations); and they are safe to apply.
I believe energetic medicine practitioners will be better able to serve
their clientele if they have multiple treatment options at their disposal. It is
this belief that motivates me in the continuing research and development into
the microsystems of the body.
Su Jok Therapy
"Su Jok," translated from Korean, means hand and foot. The hands
and feet represent a mirror image of the anatomy of the human body with all
of its associated organs and structures. The hands and feet are like remote
control centers through which the functions of the body can be both assessed
and treated. I have found that the more similar one part of the body is in form
to another part, the more effective it is as a corresponding point control
center.

Figure 1: Individual hand and foot correspondence to the body.

Looking at the hand in Figure 1, you can easily see the similarity of
the hand, with its two legs and arms, neck and head, in relation to the human
body. The same kind of superimposition can be done with the foot. The foot
corresponds to the torso, and the toes to the arms. This similarity between
structures gives the first clue to the effectiveness of the system as a
diagnostic and treatment "control" center. The correspondence for the
backside of the body is shown in Figure 2.
Theories of Su Jok

Figure 2: Back view of the hand-body relationship.

Su Jok energetic theory is founded on the theories of traditional
Oriental medicine, but it goes beyond that. This article is too brief to explain
the entire energetic theory except to mention the names given. The
foundation theory that provides a rationale for understanding and treatment
includes: energy-flowing theory and therapy; six ki harmonization in the
body; eight origins and six energies theory for meridian and charka
treatment; emotion and mind treatment; and treatment through time and
space energies. In addition, there are various alternate correspondence
mappings of the body onto the hands.
Applying Su Jok
The first step, as with any approach to healing, is to understand the
exact nature of the patient's problem. If it is a pain syndrome, or is
accompanied by pain, it is crucial to know the exact location of the patient's
pain. It is also important to assess the limitations of movement visually.

The second step is to learn the relationship between hand and body.
Studying Figures 1 and 2 will give you an idea of these relationships.
Basically, the yin side of the body is represented on the palmer side of the
hand; the yang side is represented on the dorsal surface. This information
allows you to correctly search for the corresponding point on the hands.
The third (and perhaps most important) step is to learn how to
diagnose and find the exact corresponding point(s) to treat. Because of the
importance of this step, critical aspects are outlined below.
Diagnostic Criteria
The following five criteria will aid you in finding the correct
corresponding point(s):
1.-The corresponding point will be more sensitive to pressing. If
there is pain, spasm, irritation or inflammation in some part of the body, it
will be reflected in all of the corresponding systems as a lower pain threshold
to palpation. In other words, it will be more sensitive to external pressing.
2.-First, find the general corresponding area of increased sensitivity,
then probe in very tiny increments for the most sensitive hand and/or foot
points. Due to the relatively small size of the hand/foot in relation to body
size, small movements on the hand represent relatively large distances on the
body.
3.-Pressing the correct reflex or corresponding point will result in
the patient blinking, wincing, or quickly pulling the hand/foot away. The
quality and intensity of the reflex pain will be significantly greater than that
due to pressure on non-corresponding points. Only when you see that
reaction will you know you are on the correct point.
4.-The sensitivity to pressure of a corresponding point will have a
direct correlation to the pain level in that part of the body. Acute, high levels
of pain in the body are reflected as great sensitivity; low-level, chronic pain
is reflected as less sensitivity.

5.-Because of electrical variations in skin resistance, the skillful use

of electrical point finders will take practice.
If there is pain or some limitation of movement in the body, you can
be assured of the presence of a sensitive corresponding point on the
hand/foot. You may find many sensitive points, but the correct reflex point(s)
will be very sensitive.
Stimulation and Treatment
Su Jok contains many methods of treatment.
One method we experience every day is by walking on our feet and
working with our hands. This gives us constant, random stimulation on
corresponding points; however, purposeful hand and foot massage (also
known as hand or foot reflexology) is even better.
There are many methods of stimulation besides mechanical pressure,
including:
1.-Miniature magnets designed both to give both mechanical and
magnetic force stimulation;
2.-Moxibustion in the form of:
- (a) moxa sticks;
- (b) moxa the size of rice grains held on the hand or foot by
small holders to prevent direct contact; and
- (c) direct thread moxa;
3.-Massage rollers to stimulate the hands and feet;
4.-Soft lasers;
5.-Miniature hand needles; and
6.-Colored transparent plastic discs placed strategically on charka
hand points.
Other methods will be developed based on our technological and
biological advancements in understanding on the physical and quantum
levels of human functioning.
Seeing is Believing

I suggest you try an experiment for yourself.

Find a test client: a friend, colleague, family member or patient who
has neck pain.
For this experiment, try to find someone who has an acute condition,
not a long-term, chronic condition with structural damage. Assuming your
client has tightness on the left side of the neck at about the level of the fourth
cervical, apply Su Jok as follows:
1.-Observe and document your client's limitation in movement and
ask them to rate their pain level from one to ten, ten being the most painful
condition possible. Also check their range of motion and degree of muscle
tension.
2.-Next, grasp the thumb of their left hand such that you can roll
the side of a round object, such as a ballpoint pen, along the length of the left
dorsal surface of the thumb.
To perform this step properly, think of how a rolling pin is rolled
over dough, and you will have an idea of the rolling process. Use the rolling
technique on the corresponding area of the hand. You may have to vary the
pressure to find the most sensitive area.
During this process, you will find a place where the client will
indicate a higher degree of sensitivity.
3.-Having isolated a target area, search for a precise location with
a smaller tipped instrument. For example, use the ball end of an ear probe
many acupuncturists use for auricular point location. The tip must not be so
sharp that it creates skin pain. This masks the inherent tenderness. If you
conduct the search carefully, you will definitely find very sensitive, painful
points. These are the relevant corresponding points.
Applying Treatment
The next step is to apply treatment. Your treatment has actually
already begun by using pressure to search for points, but to improve your
results, you can:

apply a tiny hand magnet commonly found in acupuncture supply

catalogs;
use a vicaria seed of the type used on the ear; or
employ tiny hand needles (do not use the normal body needles, as
most are too large and painful).

Testing the Effectiveness of Su Jok

Immediately, or within a matter of minutes, your client will recognize
a decrease in pain and a release of tight muscles. Begin by asking the client
to assess their pain level from one to 10. It is not unusual to get a 100% pain
decrease almost immediately. Also check range of motion and muscle
tension, as these will likewise improve amazingly.
Some clients will report a feeling of warmth or other sensation in the
neck area. After treatment, request that the client perform massage over the
corresponding area two or three times a day.
This simple procedure will often resolve the problem in a short period
of time.
This same procedure can be used for pain or discomfort in any part of
the body. You will be amazed at the immediate resolution of pain and
problems.
Listed below are several cases that illustrate different problems and
treatment modalities, especially moxibustion.
Case Studies
Case 1: Female patient, age 76.
The client's complaints included general weakness and pains in the leg
joints. She was unable to walk, and had great difficulty in trying to raise her
feet or sit down.
Treatment: Stimulation with mini moxa of the basic energy points on
the yang and yin surfaces of the hand. Warming of the points corresponding
to the knees and hips was also included (see Figure 3 for the yin surface
moxa pattern.)

Moxa treatment was given every two to three days for approximately
one month. At that time, her relatives contacted the institute to say the patient
had begun taking walks.

Figure 3: Basic moxa points on the yin surface of the hand.

Case 2: Male patient, age 12.
This client had meningitis at age nine. Although the infection had long
ago been eliminated, he continued to have severe headaches and fatigue, and
he was unable to attend school. These symptoms were brought on by the
slightest mental or physical strain.
Treatment: Needling was not tolerated by the boy, and no positive
effect was noted. A two-day course of mini-moxa on the basic points of the
yin surface of the hand showed a significant improvement (see Figure 3).
Moxa was continued twice per day for one week.
At the end of the week, his headaches and fatigue disappeared, and he
was able to resume schooling and activities natural for a boy his age.
Case 3: Female patient, age 34.
This client presented with severe pains of a boring nature in the heart
region, secondary to influenza. The pain radiated across the chest and down
the arm into the little finger. Extreme body weakness, tachycardia and
nighttime sweating characterized her sub-febrile condition.
Her EKG revealed signs of myocarditis.
Treatment: Moxa warming was provided to the energy related points
and those related to the heart and kidneys in the standard hand
correspondence system (see Figures 3 and 4).

Only six sessions were needed to significantly improve the patient's

general condition and to eliminate all of her symptoms of myocarditis.

Figure 4: Heart and kidney corresponding areas.

Case 4: Female patient, age 45.
The client complained of severe pain of the fifth right maxillary tooth
region. X-rays showed clearly a dental root granuloma. The zone
corresponding to the tooth, located in an ancillary correspondence system,
was massaged with a point probe and warmed with mini-moxa (see Figure
5).
Post-treatment x-rays showed a reduction in the granuloma. Pain was
significantly reduced, with only temporary dull pain during chewing hard
pieces of food.

Figure 5: Area corresponding to the fifth right maxillary tooth.

The next level of treatment enhancing the effects of correspondence
therapy involves the micro-meridians of the hands.
Micro-Meridian Therapy
A set of micro-meridians that correspond to the body meridians has
been mapped on the hands. For more difficult diseases, in which
corresponding points do not have the capacity to affect the necessary
correction in bodily function, treatments are applied to the micro-meridians
similar to those using body meridians.
Su Jok theory includes a specific method of diagnosing the energetic
balance of the body through a unique system of muscle strength testing. The
following case illustrates the diagnostic terminology and micro-meridians of
the hand as mapped in Su Jok therapy.
Case 5: Ma1e patient, age 44.

In June 1995, as a result of a road accident, the patient received a

compound fracture of the left elbow bone. In spite of medical treatment and a
fixing pin, the bones failed to reunite.
In 1997, Su Jok needle and self-massage treatment were initiated (see
Figure 6). After nine sessions, with the patient massaging the appropriate
finger correspondence area with a massage ring, x-rays showed that the
bones had become united. The fixing pin was removed; two weeks later, the
patient was able to resume working.

Figure 6: Sedation and tonification using micro-needles.

Scope of Su Jok Medicine
A main advantage of Su Jok therapy is its immediate and strong
treatment effect, which can be received without additional pharmaceutical
drugs or medical apparatus. Su Jok therapists have a considerably wide range
of options for treating diseases, including neurological diseases; acute and
chronic gastrointestinal diseases; cardiovascular diseases; endocrine diseases
and metabolic abnormalities; emotional disturbances; and addiction
problems.