Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through "meridians" in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices.
An Introduction to Acupressure
Acupressure is a body-based therapy similar to acupuncture that involves the application of pressure (from the hands or from various implements) to the same points on the body stimulated by needles in acupuncture. It is defined by the founder of an American acupressure institute as "an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural selfcurative abilities." The English term acupressure, which dates back only to 1958, is sometimes used to refer to a variety of bodywork techniques that also involve pressure on or manipulation of the body even though they may not be based on the energy theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Theory of Acupressure
A variant system known as two point acupressure attempts to bypass a blockage of vital flow by using one acupoint to create a link with one of the collateral meridians, and then using one additional acupoint to stimulate or reduce the flow around the obstruction.
Acupressure is thought to restore health by clearing or removing energy imbalances in the body. Practitioners of TCM believe that there is a vital force or energy called chi (sometimes spelled qi and pronounced “chee”) that flows through the body and between the skin surface and the internal organs along channels or pathways called meridians. Many practitioners of acupuncture count 12 major and 8 minor meridians, although some count only 14.
Where acupressure was born
Acupressure was born on the holy land of India in ancient most time. Acupressure was mostly used by Boddhist monks to heal their body and help concentration. As with acupressure you don't need anything external to use, just press here and there and you are done, it got popular among the monks. When these monk went to china they introduced this acupressure therapy to chinese people. And looking at the environment and conditions of china, they used neddles to puncture the acupressure points. Hence the acupuncture got birth in china by Indian monks. Even going a step further monk Boddhidharma established an acupressure and acupuncture school in china, which is today known as xaolin temple.
How Does Acupressure Work?
Traditional Chinese medicine views health as the constantly changing flow of vital energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") throughout the body. If that flow is hindered, sickness may develop. The goal of acupressure (and acupuncture) is to release blocked energy by stimulating specific points--called acupoints--along the body's 14 primary meridians, or energy channels. Pressing firmly and steadily on the proper acupoints, it is suggested, can promote energy flow to a part of the body that is experiencing disease or discomfort, enabling it to heal itself more readily. While acupuncture involves stimulation with needles, acupressure typically uses only the practitioner's hands to restore the balance of qi.
Although Western science has found no evidence that meridians actually exist in the body, studies do suggest that pressing on acupoints can release endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
Instruments of Acupressure
There are several different instruments for applying nonspecific pressure by rubbing, rolling, or applying pressure on the reflex zones of the body. The acuball is a small ball made of rubber with protuberances that is heatable. It is used to apply pressure and relieve muscle and joint pain. The energy roller is a small cylinder with protuberances. It is held between the hands and rolled back and forth to apply acupressure. The foot roller (also "krupa chakra") is a round, cylindrical roller with protuberances. It is placed on the floor and the foot is rolled back and forth over it. The power mat (also pyramid mat) is a mat with small pyramid-shaped bumps that you walk on. The spine roller is a bumpy roller containing magnets that is rolled up and down the spine. The Teishein is one of the original nine classical acupuncture needles described in the original texts of acupuncture. Even though it is described as an acupuncture needle it did not pierce the skin. It is used to apply rapid percussion pressure to the points being treated.
Benefits of Acupressure
Acupressure is used most commonly as an natural treatment for the relief of chronic or acute pain, particularly pain involving muscles and joints. Some hybrid forms, in particular acu-yoga, may also be used to improve flexibility and range of motion. Most Americans who use acupressure do so in addition to rather than in place of mainstream treatments.
Since 2004, a number of studies have reported that acupressure is effective in treating the following conditions specifically in seniors:
- Anxiety preceding treatment for kidney disorders
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders
- Emergency pain control following hip fracture
- Chronic lower back pain
- Constipation
- High blood pressure
- Pain management in terminal cancer
- Depression
- It lacks the side effects associated with many medications and surgical treatments in Western medicine.
- Unlike acupuncture, acupressure does not involve the use of needles, which may be an advantage to seniors who are afraid of needles.
- Acupressure is highly cost-effective; it can be used early in the course of a disease and save the patient some of the costs of hospitalizations, laboratory tests, and high-priced drugs.
- It can easily be combined with other forms of therapy.
- It is noninvasive.
- It carries relatively few risks.
- Some forms of acupressure can be self-administered once the senior has learned the basic techniques, rather than requiring visits to a practitioner.
- We do not promote self medication.
- All information is for reference only.
- All alternative treatment is not replacement to medical treatment.
- Consult your doctor before taking any type of health service.
- We neither claim nor take any responsibility for any results you may have.