Acupressure
Acupressure is a type of Oriental healing art based on ancient Japanese and Chinese
medicine. A practitioner puts pressure on specific points on the body with his or her
fingers in order to relieve pain and discomfort, prevent tension-related ailments, and
promote good health.
Information about Acupressure
Acupressure is an art and a science of alleviating health problems by application of
appropriate pressure(s) on the surface of the body.
Acupressure is a branch of alternative medicines where a diagnosis, prevention and cure to
ailments are done through touches of a doctor's hand or by applications of pressure by the
doctor on the surface of the patient's body.
Acupressure is that branch of traditional medicines where the cure is effected without the
need of taking any medicines. This prevents any side effects often associated with the
conventional medicinal treatment.
This scientific technique is being practised for centuries in Korea, China, Japan and
India.
Since last 5000 years the acupressure is used to cure ailments or diseases in Korea,
China, Japan and India. This is a proven scientific method of treatment. However like
surgery, the art, knowledge and expertise of the doctor are useful in alleviating the
health problems. Thus acupressure is an art and a science useful as an alternate therapy
in the health care field. It is often used as either supplementary or complementary
therapy along with the popular orthodox (conventional) medicinal practice and / or
treatment
Precautions before starting Acupressure
Acupressure should not be used for certain conditions that require medical care, such
as serious burns, ulcers, or infections. Caution should be taken with the use of abdominal
pressure points, especially when the patient is ill. The abdominal area often is avoided
when the patient has a life-threatening illness, such as intestinal cancer, or is
pregnant.
Symptoms of Acupressure
After an acupressure session, some people report feeling light-headed or slightly
groggy for a while. Lasting soreness is also a possibility. Usually attributed to
"released energy" or "released toxins," it is more often the result of
trauma to soft tissue or tendons that may already be inflamed. If treatments are painful,
or result in extended discomfort, be sure to let the therapist know.
Description of Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture because it treats blockages of energy at specific
points along fourteen meridians, or channels, along the body. While acupuncture uses
needles placed at the strategic points along the meridians, acupressure uses pressure
usually applied with the fingers. The blockages of energy along these meridians can cause
physical discomfort, pain, tension, and stress. The stimulation of points removes
blockages by relaxing muscles, and allowing blood to flow more freely. It can also free an
emotional block by releasing accumulated tension. The pressure may also release lactic
acid that accumulates in muscle tissue. Lactic acid is produced by muscles during vigorous
exercise, and it is usually removed from the blood by the liver. It can, however,
accumulate in muscles.
The historic use of acupressure dates back over 5,000 years for the Japanese, who use a
form called shiatsu. The Chinese have also used acupressure for centuries. In the West,
the various systems of acupressure in use today include:
- Acu-Yoga. A system of whole-body stretches and yoga postures that press and activate
points on the meridian channels.
- Jin Shin Jyutsu. A system of self-help acupressure that involves gentle touching of the
body rather than massage-like movements.
- Do-In. A system of self acupressure, which involves massaging meridian points and
muscles and also includes deep breathing and exercises, movement, and stretching.
- Shiatsu. A vigorous technique that involves rhythmic pressing of acupressure points.
During acupressure, light to medium pressure is applied to an acupressure point and it
is rotated in a tight circle. Primarily, this is done with the fingers, thumbs, and hands.
Sometimes the elbows or knees are used for key pressure points.
Since the most reactive points are tender or sensitive when pressed, this response
helps to determine the right location. If the response cannot be felt, the pressure point
location may not be correct or the pressure may not be strong enough. The sensations felt
during an acupressure treatment should fall somewhere between pleasure and pain.
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