What do you know about acupressure?

 

Almost everyone has sometimes heard about acupuncture but not too many people have heard about acupressure? What exactly is acupressure? Well, it is important to know that acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture and it involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Acupressure and acupuncture, as well as other therapies such as Shiatsu and reflexology, are based on the concept of a person's energy, or life force.

Although many people practice it all around the world – there is one very important thing to point out- there is no scientific proof over whether or not evidence supports the efficacy of acupressure. Therefore- everyone should know that there is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupoints. Supposedly- when these acupressure points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood. This should also activate the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle but firm pressure. People who enjoy the benefits of the acupressure claim that it can help alleviate: pain, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression, toothache, dizziness, menstrual pain, digestive disorders including diarrhea and constipation, nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, stress and tiredness.

Like it has already been told- everyone should know that the acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork technique which involves placing physical pressure on different pressure points on the surface of the body. All this is done in order to bring relief through greater balance and circulation of energies in the body. This energy is called the “qi”. It is interesting to point out that probably the earliest evidence of use of the meridian acupoints system for health purposes has been found in Europe. One 5,000 years old mummy called -Ötzi the Iceman, found preserved in an Alpine glacier seems to have tattoos, some of which could point to some modern acupuncturist.  

Not only that- acupressure is believed to be the 'mother of. Like it was been told- it has the same principles as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the Acupoints of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object.  

There are some important things a person needs to know in order to understand why the acupressure means that much to the some people! Well, first thing is that the concepts of internal and external energy and environment are very important to the philosophy of traditional Asian medicine. They believe that the human body encloses a perpetual flow of bioenergy, or life-force, called "chi, "ki" or "qi". Why is this so important? Well, it is simple- this energy flows into the body and along specific pathways called meridians, influencing the functioning of all the organs. This is the crucial thing because, in healthy individuals, this flow maintains a constant balance of both itself and the external environment. That’s why, it is logical to assume that, when external or internal events occur which disturb this balance, disease ensues. The story isn’t that simple! Beside all this, it is also important to know that, along these meridians, there are a large number of pressure points that act as "valves" for the flow of chi. Stimulation of these points, when properly performed, acts to restore balance to the internal environment, thereby relieving symptoms of the condition that disturbed the balance!

 

There are two ways that acupressure points are manipulated: pressing and reducing them.

Everyone who is planning to press points should always use something blunt. Usually the fingers are used to press, but the experts are saying that they sometimes find that for many points the fingers may be a bit too thick. Ideal would be something 3 to 4 mm thick, like a pencil eraser that's on the other side of a pencil. Sometimes even fingernail could be used. If we talk about the duration of pressing, we should know that pressing points for less than half a second can already have a distinguishable effect. However, to get a full effect however, pressure should be applied for at least half a minute.

What is the most important thing to know about the point reduction? Well, it is simple! To reduce a point, person should turn a finger over it in counter-clockwise direction, also for one to two minutes. That should cause the full healing effect!

It is also important to keep in mind that person should now get into the habit of doing the same points every day. They should be pressed or reduced only when a person really need them.

 

Like it has already been told – it is important to know that acupuncture points can be manipulated in various ways. Beside these “usual” manipulations, the fact is that sometimes, acupuncturists also apply heat by burning stuff called "moxa" or using a laser, or apply electric currents. By doing this- this therapist increase energy in areas that the point influences. Reducing a point is actually not the opposite of reinforcing it. By reducing, an acupuncturist removes a blockage of energy. How do we know where the blockade of energy is? Well, it is easy! A blockage may be felt as tension, pain or heat. Energy accumulates there which starts moving again after removing the blockage. So, everyone should remember- an acupressure, you can reduce a point by continually moving a finger counterclockwise over it. An acupuncturist will turn his needle immediately after insertion.

 

Important thing to know is that, when a therapist is not feeling any effects from pressing points, several things may be the case.

·          Therapist or she may not be pressing on the exact right spot because acupuncture points are about 0.5 mm diameter

·          Therapist could be pressing too lightly

·          Therapist should always check the efficacy on patients face because almost all points in the list on this site have some effect here. Not only that, many of the points also have some subtle effect on the quality of vision so the patient may see more clearly and more colors

When we use needles –then we talk about acupuncture. Many therapists first started as acupuncturist and then- passed to acupressure! How come? Well, most of them are discouraged to continue using needles because they believed it was dangerous because he or she can damage tissue. It is important to know that acupuncture may also damage blood vessels, nerves, tendons or bone, which can all be quite painful. On the breast or shoulders, you may puncture the lung. Not only that! Using needles as an amateur may not even be legal.

The most important thing there is to know about both acupuncture and acupressure is that they should never be used in order to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. Logically- if someone is seriously injured or have persistent symptoms, he or she should immediately seek urgent medical treatment

Acupressure should not be used:

·          As the only treatment for illness

·          If a patient have a heart condition

·          Just before or within 20 minutes after heavy exercise, a large meal, or bathing

·          If the pressure should be applied under a mole, wart, varicose vein, abrasion, bruise, cut, or any other break in the skin

·          If a patient is pregnant, especially if more than 3 months

 

It is also worth mentioning that the Japanese practice of Shiatsu, which literally means "finger pressure.” It is a skill very similar to acupressure. During the Shiatsu, thumbs are most commonly used to apply pressure, although other fingers, knuckles, palms, elbows and even feet can be used in some of the therapies. The fact is also that the degree of pressure that is applied varies, as well as the duration.  

What exactly are those famous Luo points? Well, Luo Points is an acupuncture term referring to special points that are believed to have greater significance. How come? Well, according to acupuncture theory, these 12 points are places where the body can be manipulated in order to get greater effect when applying acupuncture.

What exactly is Fire Cupping? It is important to add that there is one more version of acupressure which is based on applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. In traditional Chinese medicine it involves placing glass, plastic, or bamboo cups on the skin with a vacuum

Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain.