Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner Jennifer Bradley from UK’s Markey Cancer Center may just have a solution for finals stress, and it is so simple that you can do it yourself.

The practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu is an energy harmonizing modality that utilizes light touch on 26 different spots on both the left and right side of the body, to help the body relax and return to its natural state of harmony. Practitioners listen to the pulse in order to determine the hand positions or “flow patterns” to be used during the session to help relieve stress, according to Bradley’s website www.jsjharmony.com.

Bradley first became interested in Jin Shin Jyutsu in 2002 after her sister received it as part of her therapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Bradley then began her studies of the art and opened her own practice in 2008 on Richmond Road. She began volunteering at UK’s Markey Cancer Center in 2009, which led to her eventual permanent position in 2011. Today she divides her time between her practice and the Markey Cancer Center, helping patients get relief from symptoms that accompany their reasons for being in the hospital, or just the everyday stress that comes with life.

“We [practitioners] think of ourselves as collaborative, not as a replacement. We are not alternative medicine,” Bradley said. “What we found is that when we work with other groups, we found that we can help their energy start to get in balance so that the individual can participate in and get better benefit from the other modalities and things they’re using.”

During her sessions, Bradley not only does Jin Shin Jyutsu on the patient’s herself, but she teaches them how to use the different holds on their own, hoping that one day they will get to the point where they can simply help themselves using the therapy. Her patients have ranged from rape survivors to cancer patients to children, but there is still one more group she hopes to connect with: college students.

Bradley often tells college students to try the finger hold on the index finger before tests in order to help the body regulate its energy and come to peace, relieving all fear.

“You can just hold an index finger and breathe, and it will calm the whole nervous system,” Bradley said. “I always tell people, ‘You don’t have to believe me, just try it. No one will know you’re doing it.’” 

Students are encouraged to send any feedback from the finger holds or questions about Jin Shin Jyutsu to her email [email protected]. Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help sessions are also held on the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Markey Cancer Center.