Acupuncture Vs. Acupressure

Acupuncture has become more popular in the Western world in the past few decades, but despite its popularity, it can still be difficult to find an acupuncture practitioner depending on where you live. This is why many people turn to acupressure as an alternative. There are only a few subtle differences between acupuncture and acupressure, and both can be very effective when used appropriately.

Acupuncture

The National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines acupuncture as a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. They note the most commonly studied form of acupuncture is performed using thin, solid, metal needles that are used to penetrate the skin. The needles are then manipulated using the hands or electrical stimulation. The needles are placed in distinct points on the body called acupuncture points. Acupuncture.com states that these points influence the physiological functioning of the body.

Acupressure

Acupressure.com defines acupressure as an ancient healing art that uses the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. The points are stimulated using gentle but firm pressure. These points are the same ones that are stimulated in acupuncture, and are commonly called acupuncture or acupressure points.

Similarities

Both acupuncture and acupressure work with the body's own natural energy, called qi or chi in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The techniques aim to ensure that the flow of qi is even and uninterrupted throughout the body. The smooth flow of qi is thought to reduce stress and tension, increase blood flow, help increase immunity and help the body to heal from an illness or injury, just to name a few benefits.

Differences

The biggest difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that acupuncture uses needles to stimulate an acupuncture point, whereas acupressure uses the finger tips or other blunt instrument. The insertion of acupuncture needles also needs to be much more precise as compared to the application of acupressure. The needle is very tiny and, as such, needs to be placed correctly to be beneficial. Acupressure can stimulate a larger area, therefore the provider can be less precise in his application. Finally, the risks associated with acupuncture are slightly greater because the needle pierces the skin and enters the body. Acupressure does not pierce the skin, so the risk of negative side effects is even lower than those encountered during acupuncture.

Effectiveness

The National Institute of Health has determined that both acupuncture and acupressure can be very effective for treating a variety of specific conditions. However, most of the research is anecdotal or condition-specific. Some patients find that acupuncture is more effective for certain conditions, and some find that acupressure is more effective for the same conditions. Each individual responds differently. Acupressure is more convenient in that it can be practiced just about anywhere at anytime by almost anyone. Acupuncture requires special needles and an intimate knowledge of point function and point location to be effective. A combination of acupuncture and acupressure may be the most effective way to proceed.