Question: Hello. Thank you for your blog on self help holds with Jin Shin Jyutsu. I broke out in eczema on my body 8 years ago, starting from the back of my neck and during the first year it spread to various parts of my body then gradually disappeared after 3 years. The only spot that still exists is covering all over the back of my neck, which is no longer red but still itches quite often and is a bit swollen, though I no longer feel pain when I tilt my head back. I was told that I now have scleroderma. Would you have any suggestions what points I can hold to help heal this condition? Thank you, I would really appreciate your advice. – D

Answer: Hi D – The special body function for the skin is to palm the calves. At least 20 minutes a day and if you can, twice a day for at least two weeks. See this older post Self Help for the Deep Skin. There is also another special function energy hold for the Skin Surface. Place the fingers of the right hand under the left foot at center of the sole, and with the left hand hold the left little toe. Reverse the hands for the other side. This hold is particularly great for any itchiness of the skin. It also purifies the skin. It would also help to do the Main Central Exercise (see the older post) to harmonise your whole being and help sort out the underlying causes i.e. the immune system (you could also work on the immune system, not to stimulate it, but to harmonise it with this Immune System Hold. And finally hold your Thumb for skin surface, and your Ring finger (either side) for deep skin. Hope all this helps! – Astrid

Note: Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses which occur when the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Scleroderma is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body. The cause of scleroderma is not known (medicinenet.com)