The massage that eased my heart palpitations and helped me breathe again
Jul 02, 2025Hi sunshine,
have you found yourself sighing a lot lately?
Feeling a tightness in your chest...like you can't quite take a deep breath?
Or perhaps your heart starts fluttering-not because you're love struck!
If you're in perimenopause or even menopause ( feeling burnt out, anxious and totally done) you're not alone- and what you're feeling is more common than you think.
Before I go on, let me introduce myself.
Hi, I'm Des, your holistic bestie, certified Shiatsu & Taoist Healing practitioner. I help perimenopausal women simplify their life and release their symptoms using ancient practices that work in your life. 1-minute resets is what I teach, cause who's got time for 60minute routines?
Ok, now let's get back to today's 1-minute Reset.
The Backstory: Me, Covid & a Heart Beating to its own Crazy Rhythm
In January 2024, I got hit with Covid. Again!
And this time? It pulled me headfirst into a whirpool of peri/menopausal symptoms: hot flashes, joint pain, mood swings, weight gain and INTENSE, random heart palpitations. These beauties lasted for 4 months.
I won't lie, it rattled me. Everytime covid strikes, I'm left picking up the pieces for months. This was my 3rd time, and I wasn't impressed.
Instead of spiralling, I turned to what I know best: ancient Taoist healing tools.
This 1-minute massage became part of my rescue plan. Every time I felt my heart flutter I'd pause, place my hands over my heart, smile to myself ( yes, smile to let your body know it's going to be ok) and gently, deeply using my thumbs and then the palms of my hands I massaged these acupoints. After a couple of minutes my breath would return. The flattering subsided. My nervous system was no longer in fight or flight mode.
Eventually, after 4 months, the palpitations stopped entirely.
Now, I teach this reset in all my workshops and to my 1:1 clients because it's short, easy but powerful.
Why this works? The 'magic' of Acupressure
Gallbladder 23
This is the acupressure point massaging on the side of the ribs. If you're new to this, let me quickly tell you that in Taoism & TCM, we know that discomfort, pain, disease are caused by our stuck, unprocessed emotions. In this case, nestled between the ribs is where our Unspoken Anger and Resentment gets suck. So if you've been sighing a lot, feeling a heaviness in your chest, or having trouble taking a deep breath; then this acupressure point is saying " Hello, It's Me You're Looking For!"
Pericardium 1 ( aka The Heavenly Pool)
This little gem, is the second point I'm massaging. Located further in on your chest but towards the breast- it supports everything from breathlessness and fullness in the chest, to breast health and stagnant lymph. It also just happens to soothe your soul!
That's how it got its name: The Heavenly Pool! When massaged together, they open your chest, relax your breath, calm down your heart fluttering and bring peace to your restless soul. No more sighing!
How to do it?
- First begin with your thumbs, find the point that is the most painful, right on the side of your ribs, around about the height of your bra. Once you've found it ( on both sides) start making small circles, go deep if you can. If it's too painful, release the pressure a bit.
DO this for 30secs.
- Next, use the heels of the palms of your hands and massage, slowly, deeply in circles. Do this for another 30secs.
Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth to release the pain .
Let your shoulders drop Let your jaw soften.
- Now go onto the last massage, on the breast at the peck muscle. Pull, tug, massage, 30secs on each side.
Now go back to the first point. Massage deeply again, breathe in, breathe out with a long sigh...feel the shift?
Most women feel immediate relief, like the air leaving a balloon, the pressure gone, that holding-it-all-in sensation dissolved. And what replaces it?
A deep, grounded full body exhale.
Peace.
Lightness.
And yes, a smile has crept back on your lips!
Want more resets like this?
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, achy or just not like yourself lately. I've got you!
Join my FREE healing Video Library
Packed with 1-2minute tools you can use right now to reset your energy, release fatigue, breathe again.
You don't need more information.
You need tools that actually fit in your life. Gentle ones. Soulful ones.
And someone in your corner who deeply cares and understands this season of life.
Book A Free 1:1 Coaching Discovery Call
If you've been carrying too much for too long and you'd like custom tailored holistic support-I'll meet you exactly where you are.
You've Got This and I've Got You!
Thank you for being here,
Des xx
P.S. Forward this to a friend who's been sighing a lot lately. This maybe exactly what her heart's been asking for.