The Touch of Healing: Energizing the Body, Mind, and Spirit With Jin Shin Jyutsu

I first learned about Jin Shin Jyutsu acupressure in the 1980s from a book called "Relax! with Self-Therap/Ease." It was from that basic book I learned I could cure a headache or backache by simply putting my fingers on some spots on my body. It worked like magic. It didn't seem to matter what the problem was, either; it always helped it or fixed it completely. Sadly, that great little book is now out of print, but Burmeister's "The Touch of Healing" is available to us, and it's much more thorough. Anyone can learn the moves in this powerful acupressure system with a little practice because the diagrams are so clear. The reader needs no previous training or talent for a self-treatment; all he or she needs is a couple free hands, some free time, and an open mind. I'd also say you need some curiosity about this healing art and a willingness to experiment on yourself until you find which moves work for you. Also, you need some patience because it often takes time for the body's energy system to balance and relieve the problem--sometimes hours, days, or even weeks. You can use it for first aid when an injury occurs, but it seems to work best when you set time aside each day to work on yourself over weeks. I do a 5 minute treatment before getting out of bed in the morning and again when I go to bed at night, which is enough for maintenance, but if I'm working on a big problem, 20 minutes each session needed. Jin Shin is the first thing I turn to, whether there is a specific problem or I'm just feeling out of sorts. It is so very useful for aches and pains, especially when one isn't sure what is causing them. We've found Jin Shin helpful for relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, headaches, itchy places, back pain, muscle strains, painful bruises, frozen shoulder, nausea, insomnia, travel exhaustion, dizziness, intestinal upset, emotional distress, on and on. It can be useful for bouts of insomnia, for example. Any time I can't sleep, I'll do a routine from this book, and I'll be out within 10-20 minutes instead of staring at the ceiling for a couple hours. One remarkable example I had was treating a girlfriend who was so exhausted and dizzy from overwork at her job that she couldn't get out of the car on a trip we took. After 20 minutes of "opposite fingers and toes" jumper-cabling (see p. 153), she was up and walking around in stores with me for hours like nothing had happened. Also, as our bodies age, they can cause us problems, and Jin Shin can be a useful tool for people who don't know where to turn for help. People suffering from hemorrhoids and prostate ache, for example, have found help with this acupressure system (see gall bladder meridian). Jin Shin can be done anywhere, anytime when you have a spare minute and a spare hand. What a marvelous help this is because you always have relief at your finger tips for yourself and your loved ones. The book has some theory about "depths" that isn't necessary to do the moves and can be skipped over. I have found that Jin Shin blends very well with Reiki. While I respect and value Reiki very much, I find at times that the results are not as specific or as speedy as I'd like. Jin Shin, however, using the body's own energies, often zeroes in on the problem area quickly. This book is divided up into useful chapters on theory of the Depths, internal organ meridians, the Safety Energy Locks (SELs), daily routines, first aid, etc. I found it helpful to tab certain chapters for quick reference. I have discovered through experimentation that often just the simple finger holds (see Chapter 2) can be very effective at clearing up problems without requiring further attention. The finger holds are deceptively powerful and so easy to do. I'll do those first when a problem arises or when I have a free minute during the day to ward off fatigue or aches. The price of the book is worth it just for the finger holds alone, even if you learn nothing else. Concepts like meridians and acupressure holds can confuse us Westerners at first. Also, the amount of information in the book can be a little intimidating in the beginning, but don't let that bother you. I learned to use the book as a reference source and slowly made inroads that way. I just pick a health issue to work on, look up the appropriate finger positions, do each position for a few minutes, and wait to see if I feel some improvement. If I don't get relief with one position, I try another. Learn to experiment. If you start feeling peaceful, it's working. I"d call this an intermediate-level book that a beginner could grow into with practice. This book shows the 26 Safety Energy Locks, but it doesn't have the 8 Strange Flows patterns, so you can't improvise your own treatment patterns. That's advanced training. But this book has more than enough to keep people busy learning and experimenting for a lifetime. Mary Burmeister's "Touch of Healing" is highly recommended. If you really take to it, you can consider taking a class through her organization.

This book can change your life. I am thankful to God that I finally got my hands on this book. It just came the other day. Ive read a couple of chapters and already did the 36 breaths and basic sel...strangely my body led me and it worked. I had found the handholds online and had done them before and felt they do indeed help pretty much right almost immediately. I have a chronic illness with several different issues. I am amazed that the sel provided me immediate help and that my body led me--what I mean is that I felt a tender sore feeling in the exact spot (sel) that would deal with some of the issues I had..I did hold one and it felt good to hold it then when done another place that was a (sel) I needed felt sore and tender same way so I held that---this all while in bed. I woke up and had immediate results. I tried to do the 36 breaths today and extra while out grocery shopping which usually is hard on me and drains me(I go to multiple stores)--I amazingly felt stronger and had a steady, calm, even -positive energy like I was 'flowing'. PS I forgot to mention that while in bed doing these sel I was releasing/letting go of some childhood trauma because it came up in my mind..this was helpful..but just so know once I forgave these people(people-older kids I as a young child didn't know but had witnessed doing something horrible I couldn't stop or help)--so I prayed for them and THAT took a huge heaviness off of me I had not known was there. This is a wealth of info..some of it kind of deep--yet really the whole thing is so simple and so right. Thank God for this book..

I have studied numerous Japanese Martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Kenjutsu, Tanto jutsu, and Hanbo jutsu) and healing arts (Shiatsu, and Reiki) over the last 55 years, but I had never heard of the Japanese healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu until recently. Since I am a Reiki master I decided to learn more about Jin Shin Jyutsu and I purchased several books on the subject for a bargain price on Amazon. I just finished reading this excellent 183 page soft cover book (The touch of healing: Energizing body, mind and spirit with the art of Jin Shin Jyutsu by Alice Burmeister with Tom Monte) and found the information easy to understand and apply to myself and other people. I also think using Reiki techniques along with Jin Shin Jyutsu methods make a great combination because both are based upon the application Universal Life Energy healing principles. This book is organized into nine chapters covering the following material: The foundation of the art, the depths and attitudes, the trinity flows, safety energy locks, the organ flows, general daily sequences, harmonizing with the fingers and toes and first aid and on the spot healing. There is also an appendix and bibliography section. If you are seeking an interesting approach to energy healing you may want to check out this book. I found it to be a very informative text. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Chair/Seated Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga for seniors and the physically challenged).

After 45 years as a practicing physician (M. D. in 1964), I am a STRONG believer in the power of the mind. What we think and what we fear and what we expect is translated via the subconscious through the autonomic system into reality. And therein lies the power to cause symptoms, to change anatomy and function -- and the power to "heal". Placebo effect means that it works because you expect it to, not because it has ANY direct effect. And that -- in my opinion -- is the basis for Jin Shin Jyutsu. I bought and read the book because of the remarkable testimonials. By the third page it was clear that this is "bedside manner" and "faith healing" and "the power of the mind" -- i.e. it is placebo effect. BUT IT WORKS. Just as I use distraction and the improbable to induce hypnosis so that I can help change expectations, this concept gets "way out there", yet the success stories create such positive expectations that the reader is seduced into trying the techniques (all the while feeling foolish) and (just as with hypnosis or any of the other mind-body techniques) is astonished to discover that something good happens! Miraculous? Not by any means. Effective? Absolutely. "He heals best in whom the patient has the most confidence" is a form of empowerment that young healthcare providers all too often fail to learn -- but which this healing philosophy understands so very well! If you're frustrated by chronic symptoms that no provider can seem to diagnose or relieve, this is a worthwhile book to try. But don't fail to also read "They Can't Find Anything Wrong" and the several books by Dr. Sarno.

I did some of the finger holds in the book in the bookstore. Holding a finger while squeezing with my other hand, and holding for a while, in my case until after I could feel a pulsing sensation, and then doing a different position. I work with energy methods such as Reiki, Qigong, Quantum Touch, EFT and other practices, so I am thinking this is just another energy practice not likely to add much to what I already know. Yet, this is a really great practice, which is easy to do, and I can really feel more energy flowing. It also seems to combine very well and boosts my Reiki self healing. When the fingers of your hands touch various energy points in your body they act like cable jumpers sending a charge between both points and improving the energy flow and releasing blocked energy caused by emotional problems or illness, even injury. Free flowing energy acclerates the body's self healing. According to the book there 14400 points in each finger. Can you imagine the possible health benefit of holding just one finger? Multiply that by the six positions, add the Trinity Flows and the SEL's, and you can feel for yourself quite easily how beneficial this whole system is. This book is easy to read and follow. I recommend the Energy Medicine kit by Donna Eden, which is based on a different discipline of energy healing, which is extremely good for someone starting out. If you have not moved energy before I recommend Quantum touch by Richard Gordon. This is definitely one of the best energy books I have read, and I highly recommend it. I am surprised this system is not better known.

I saw something on FB about Jin Shin for insomnia and tried one of the basic hand flow positions. I fell asleep that night easily. wow. it didnt work every night, but was impressed. I did a 5 day course live in California (they are offered several times a year all over US). After doing the 5 day course, I must say its been better and more practical and easier than Pranic Healing or Chi Gong. its really amazing practice, but its a LIFESTYLE. not a one time fix.

Excellent book in so many ways. We began 20+ years ago with Bauer's Acupressure for Everybody, graduated to Michael Gach's books later (also excellent, but more in depth). Acupressure points, and acupressure point sequences ALWAYS help. Every time. Sometimes it takes longer or many repetitions and patience, but they always make a positive difference. This is a new find (for us), and a treasure of useful, helpful, go-to points and sequences to use. Cannot recommend this book on the core elements of this ancient Japanese, rediscovered, Jin Shin Jyutsu highly enough. A bonus is that some of these are so EASY to do, deceptively so, that you can do them while in bed, before sleep, when you wake up before getting up. While waiting on the phone or in a waiting room. Share these points to hold with everyone you know and love, most especially with children. Imagine if every child could help themselves in the very moment of injury or distress just by knowing what and where to touch.

This is one of my top 2 favorite healing books. The other being Ortho-Bionomy and I have A BUNCH of healing books and tapes all good. I just love it and you will also. Breathing circular is amazing and works so well.

Great read

Lectura obligatoria para los interesad@s en aprender Jin Shin –técnica japonesa de sanación por imposición de manos que no necesita de iniciaciones de un maestro. Es fácil de entender y de poner en práctica. Tiene suficientes ilustraciones de las Cerraduras Energéticas de Seguridad. Los casos de gente usando cerraduras o flujos ayudan a entender y procesar la información.

A very good book about energy healing. Very simple yet very powerful. Explanations are simple and everything is crystal clear. I recommand that book if you want to practice energy healing quickly without having a lot of knowlege about energy healing.

Lo puse en practica desde el primer día y me dió resultados desde el primer día.

This book is excellent, especially for a beginner. All the instructions are simple to understand and there are diagrams to illustrate the positions needed. There are also anecdotes which are very interesting. As a matter of interest, I originally wanted "Practical Jin Shin:" by the same authors after I had borrowed a copy from the local library, but this book was priced at £72, so I bought The Touch of Healing instead for £9.99 including postage, only to find that both books are identical!!!