Acupressure

  

What is therapeutic acupressure ?

Acupressure is a Chinese form of manipulative therapy, an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to acupuncture. Acupressure is often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, Herbal Therapy, Tai-Chi, and Qi Gong. It is a hands-on body treatment based on the concept of life energy flowing through “meridians” in the body in an effort to bring the Traditional Chinese Medicine principles (TCM) into balance. The practitioner may brush, knead, roll, press, and rub the areas between each of the joints to attempt to open the body’s defensive Qi (energy) and get the energy moving in the meridians and the muscles.

With the stimulation of acupressure points, 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. These techniques are claimed to aid in the treatment of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions.

In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified as either “external” or “internal” treatment. Acupressure was one of the external methods, and was thought to be especially suitable for use on the elderly population and on infants. In modern China, many hospitals include acupressure as a standard aspect of treatment, with specialization for infants, adults, orthopedics, trauma, cosmetology, rehabilitation, and sports medicine.

When is acupressure used?

Acupressure is one of the most popular TCM treatment modalities and is frequently used in the treatment of superficial trauma and injury and a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems. Acupressure is also often used with children as “Chinese pediatric therapy” since children might not feel comfortable with needles yet.

Some medical studies have suggested that acupressure is effective at helping manage nausea, vomiting, lower back pain, tension headaches, and stomachaches, among other things.

Acupressure is not generally used for pleasure and relaxation, but rather as a treatment to address specific patterns of disharmony. Like acupuncture principle, acupressure is introduced to harmonize yin and yang in the body by manipulating the Qi in the acupuncture channels.