Accupressure
Accupressure is the application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body to control symptoms
such as pain or nausea. This therapy is also used to stop bleeding. It is derived from traditional Chinese medicine, which is a form of treatment for pain that involves pressure on particular points in the body knows as “acupressure points”.
Accupressure balances the body’s energy by applying pressure to specific points along energy channels. The term “pressure” is misleading, since acupressure actually uses a very light touch. A practitioner uses her fingertips to make contact with the body. It’s the location of the contact that’s important, not the amount of pressure.
What is Acupressure?
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principles of acupuncture, and involves the use of finger pressure (without the needles) on specific points along the body.
Acupressure is is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy centers in the body. Chinese cultures believe the points to be junctures of meridian pathways that carry energy called chi. Western scientists have also mapped out and prove the existence of these points using electrical devices.
Acupressure massage therapy stimulates and activates the body’s own energies to help fight illness and restore harmony. Some of the acupressure points are significant as they relate to a specific part of the body while others are more general in their effect.
Acupressure can help alleviate ailments such as tension, stress, aches and pains, arthritis or menstrual cramps. Acupressure can also be used for general preventative health care.
What is the Purpose of Acupressure?
The purpose of acupressure is to stimulate the body’s own recuperative powers by stimulating the various points on the body. The stimulation removes energy blockages by diffusing the toxic build up that accumulates in the muscle tissue. The accumulation of toxins causes stiffness throughout the body. Stiffness in muscles puts abnormal pressure on nerves, and blood and lymph vessels. The pressure on blood and lymph vessels affect both skeletal systems and internal organ functioning.
How is Acupressure Performed?
Acupressure is usually given in a similar fashion to traditional massage. Points on the body are massaged using finger or thumb, and sometimes a blunt object, in a fairly rapid circular motion with a medium pressure. Massages last between 5 and 15 minutes.
Some of the most common acupressure techniques are: Rubbing, Kneading, Percussion and Vibration. Fingers, hands, elbows, knees and feet are often used to massage other parts of the body.
Acupressure can be performed sitting, standing or lying down.