What is Acupressure?

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Acupressure is a system that has its origins in China and is thousands of years old. Acupressure points are the same as Acupuncture points. Both systems of “quasi” medicine promote relaxation and wellness and treat disease and ease general discomfort. These systems are best for chronic and undiagnosed problems where only some general symptoms are known and the disease process as understood by modern medicine has not yet set in. Acupressure is done by activating points with pressure and reduction whereas Acupuncture is done using needles and inserting them in the skin to activate these same points. Activating a point stands for rechanneling energies and stagnant blood flow of the point and the related part of the body.  Let us see how Acupressure works.

What Is the Theory Behind Acupressure?

Acupressure is part of a group of Asian bodywork therapies (ABTs) and has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupressure is grouped with other Asian Bodywork Therapies like Acupuncture, Medical Qigong and Tuina. The Japanese form of Acupressure is known as Shiatsu.

According to Traditional Chinese medical theory special acupoints, pressure points, or acupressure points, lie along meridians, or channels, in the human body. These are the same points as those targeted with Acupuncture. The belief is that qi (chi) or vital energy flows along these meridians and can be manipulated by working the points along these meridians. There are 12 meridians according to the Chinese System of Medicine. These meridians connect specific organs and network of organs, enabling a system of communication throughout the body. The meridians begin at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to an organ or organs associated with the meridian. Whenever any of these meridians is blocked or out of balance, illness occurs or the disease process begins. Acupressure and acupuncture are among the types of TCM that are thought to help restore balance.

How Does Acupressure Work?

In Acupressure, practitioners use their fingers, feet, elbows, palms or special tools to apply pressure to activate or manipulate the points to restore health and relaxation. Massage forms an integral part of Acupressure therapy.

A typical session of Acupressure lasts about one hour. You lie fully clothed on a soft massage table and the practitioner works on the points as required. You may require several sessions for results to show. There may be debate on how Acupressure works, but everyone, including western medical professionals agrees that it works.

The objective of all Asian Bodywork Therapies is to regulate yin and yang (negative and positive forces). These are opposing forces along the channels of energy which need to be in balance for health. Effects of Acupressure are not limited to the physical sphere of our bodies but it treats the mind, emotions and spirit in addition to balancing energy fields. It is also believed that the therapist can transmit vital energy (qi or chi) to the patient.

Western scientists believe that Acupressure does not work based on the meridian theory or that these meridians even exist. The results of Acupressure are attributed to improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, or stimulation of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.

There are hundreds of Acupressure points all over the body and those in the hands and wrist can be seen in these three videos.

Video Link 1      same as above 2    Video Link3 

 

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Acuressure Techniques

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What is acupressure?
Acupressure also spelt acupressure, is a technique related to acupuncture; the points activated in both cases are the same. In acupressure body energies are manipulated by activating specific points. These points are called “acupressure points”, “acupoints”, “pressure points” and are the same as “acupuncture points”. These points are activated to manipulate human psychic energy, emotion and physical energies.

Acupressure: Pressing and reducing techniques
Acupressure points are manipulated in two ways. The first commonly used technique is pressing as shown in the video. However, not commonly used or known second technique is reducing. Usually something blunt is used to press the points. A convenient way is to simply use fingers to press or activate the points. It would take more pressure and longer to activate the points with the thumb or fingers. So a good option would be to use an eraser on the back of a pencil. Some points can be pressed using fingernails.

Pressing and releasing a point just a few times can have a distinguishable effect. There are two ways in which points may be activated. Pressing the point and releasing about once per second or pressing a point and keeping it pressed for 30 to 120 seconds. How long you press or how many times would depend on the condition and the point being activated. Whether pressing or reducing the maximum you do in a sitting is not more than 2 minutes.

To reduce a point, you need to put pressure and then turn the finger over the point in a counter-clockwise direction. The duration remains the same one to two minutes. The difference between pressing and reducing is that when pressing, the point is energized, however when reducing the blockages and blood stagnation around the point is “reduced”, hence the name reducing. I’ll go in detail about pressing and reducing in one of my upcoming posts.

It is a good idea not to make it a habit of activating the same points every day. Manipulate them as and when required and paying attention to the effect they have on you physically and emotionally. If you are weakened by age or disease activate the points more often. It is a balance you will need to find with an expert.

If you do not feel any effect from activating a point, it could be several things. You are not pressing the exact right spot and around. You may be pressing too lightly. You may be pressing for not as long as required. To know if a point is working or not it is best to feel your energy and emotions through the day. If there is a change for the better, it is working. Many points have an effect on the quality of vision also. If you are overdoing a point or if you don’t need it there will be little effect.

Acupressure points are sometimes also activated for prolonged periods of time using tiny balls like ball-bearing balls and adhesive tape. One may also use little seeds like cherry pits to activate a point, which is sometimes done overnight. Acupressure may be used along with medication or may be started for little nagging problems, if you want to avoid medication.

Here are links for 2 more videos on acupressure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjv68ebRu6c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JceJprln5WY

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