|
|
 |
Acupressure
A form of
touch therapy that utilizes the principles of Traditional
Chinese Medicine , Acupressure is a lot like Acupuncture .
The same pressure points are used in both systems. The only
difference is that while Acupuncture relies on the use of
needles to stimulate the pressure points, Acupressure is
non-invasive. In Acupressure, the practitioner makes use of
the finger tips to apply pressure.
Herbal
remedies, Acupuncture , Acupressure, Acutouch , Shiatsu ,
diet , lifestyle changes, and meditation are all a part of
the comprehensive healing techniques found in China. Legend
has it that both Acupuncture and Acupressure developed when
early Chinese healers treated the wounds of warriors. These
systems of healing came to the West in the 1970s.
Acupressure, like Acupuncture, is based on the Chinese
belief of Yin and Yang. Unlike medical practices in the
West, Chinese Medicine does not consider the body as a
separate entity. Both body and mind work together to form
the person. Thus disease cannot be diagnosed as the
breakdown of a purely physical system. The damage starts
from the inside and slowly spreads to the organs and
expresses itself. The ordinary man is so removed from his
own body that he cannot detect the underlying cause of his
disease. |
‘Chi’ is the
fundamental life force or energy that flows through the body
and ensures the innate health and balance of the body. There
are 12 major meridians in the body that support the
transport of Chi. Acupressure works on the pressure points
and ‘unblocks’ the circulation of Chi so that it can once
again flow freely. Acupressure seeks to stimulate the points
on the meridians that pass closest to the skin. These are
the points that are easiest to stimulate using finger
pressure.
Acupressure massage performed by a trained practitioner is
used both as a preventive as well as a therapeutic healing
technique. Many health conditions including but not limited
to headaches, migraine, cold, flu, arthritis, allergies,
asthmas, sinus problems, sprains, tennis elbow and even
toothaches can be treated using acupressure.
Emotional and mental strain, tension and nervous tension can
also be eased using this technique. Acupressure also helps
increase positive energy within the person thus creating a
sense of well-being. It can be used to stimulate the immune
system, thus keeping many ailments at bay. Acupressure can
also be used to alleviate sexual dysfunction.
The techniques of acupressure are so easy that it can even
be used as a self-treatment for common aches and pains. An
acupressurist will evaluate the symptoms and general health
of the patient through gentle palpitations. Then he begins
his therapy on the different meridians of the body.
Acupressure, unlike acupuncture is easy to learn and does
not need any formal knowledge. The techniques of acupressure
are fairly easy to learn and provide quick, cost-effective
and immediate relief from symptoms. Acupressure is used as a
treatment by message therapists and acupuncturists. Most
massage schools in America include a course of acupressure
as part of their program.
A
session of acupressure is generally very relaxing and
pleasurable. Some people experience immediate relief while
others take some more time to experience benefits. For
chronic conditions several sessions may be necessary.
|
Acupressure for You
|
Acupressure, acupuncture, and related practices Do-in, G-Jo, Shiatsu,
and Myotherapy, practiced in Asia for thousands of years, have only
gained wider acceptance in the West in recent times. Traditional Asian
medicine emphasizes personal responsibility for one's health.
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork technique
based on the same ideas as acupuncture. It involves placing physical
pressure, by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices, on
different pressure points on the surface of the body (which may be far
distant from the symptom, related by what is called the meridian system)
to bring about relief through greater balance and circulation of
energies in the body (qi). It is intended to affect and balance the
energetic system of the body in order to treat the human body, mind,
emotions, energetic fields, and spirit.
While some practitioners believe that first hints of acupressure
or reflexology have been found in ancient Indian texts, the first
formally recognized mention of qi is in the Chinese writings of the
Shang dynasty oracle bones which were produced between the 16th to 11th
century B.C.
Possibly the earliest evidence of use of the meridian system for
health purposes has been found in Europe, of all places. Ötzi the
Iceman, a 5,000 year old mummy found preserved in an Alpine glacier,
seems to have tattoos, some of which correspond to points that a modern
acupuncturist or tui na specialist would use to treat symptoms of
diseases that Ötzi seems to have suffered from, including digestive
parasites and degenerative bone disease. However, it is difficult to
speculate on the meaning of the tattoos as to whether they served a
decorative, religious, or a medical function.
Many East Asian martial arts also make extensive study and use of
acupressure for self-defense and health purposes (chin na). The points
or combinations of points are said to be used to manipulate or
incapacitate an opponent. Also, martial artists regularly massage their
own acupressure points in routines to remove blockages from their own
meridians, claiming to thereby enhance their circulation and flexibility
and keeping the points "soft," or less vulnerable to an attack.
Attacking the acupressure points is one theme in the wuxia genre of
movies and novels.
The concepts of internal and external environment are very
important to the philosophy of traditional Asian medicine. The human
body, it is believed, encloses a perpetual flow of bioenergy, or
life-force, called "chi, "ki" or "qi". This energy flows into the body
and along specific pathways called "meridians", influencing the
functioning of all the organs. In healthy individuals, this flow
maintains a constant balance with both itself and the external
environment. When external or internal events occur which disturb this
balance, disease ensues. Along the meridians are a large number of
pressure points that act as "valves" for the flow of chi. The
stimulation of these points, when properly performed, acts to restore
balance to the internal environment, thereby relieving symptoms.
To stimulate an acupoint properly on your own, you must apply
deep probing pressure after consulting your Doctor.
Therefore, only
apply pressure with: |
| Finger Tip |
Knuckle |
Pencil Eraser |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
