Stress often causes symptoms such as headaches, overeating, anxiety, substance abuse and depression. Acupressure, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, is used as a self-healing modality as well as by holistic medical practitioners to help ease effects of stress. Acupressure points are located along meridians, which are energy channels responsible for nourishing the Qi-life force flowing throughout your body. Keeping these channels free from blockages that stress causes can improve your overall health, prevent illness and boost internal balance and harmony.
History
Acupressure can be likened to acupuncture without the needles. It is regularly used in the East to treat the effects of stress, illnesses and as a prophylactic. Western medicine is integrating the science of acupuncture/acupressure into treatments as a complementary measure, and scientific research is ongoing to determine its efficacy, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Dentists, rehabilitation therapists and sports medicine physicians are just a few of the many medical professions employing acupressure techniques.
Types
Think of acupressure as massage for your body. The more popular types of acupressure--variously known as Shiatsu, Tui-na and Jin Shin Jyutsu--involve applied pressure, light tapping or brisk rubbing using fingers, knuckles or palms on specified acupressure points. The meridians have about 2,000 acupressure points located along them, with each point interconnected to other areas of the body and internal organs. Local, trigger and tonic points indicate direct or indirect healing and whole-body effect. For example, while pressing on the temples can relieve a headache--a local effect--squeezing the webbing between your thumb and forefinger can also trigger headache relief. Tonic points enhance the overall workings of your body, boosting the immune system and revitalizing your energy supply.
Features
You may catch yourself massaging your back or breathing deeply to relieve the stress of overwork, worry or personal challenges. Acupressure as a form of self-massage that is simple to use, is accessible anywhere and requires no special tools. Like its sisters Qigong and Tai Chi, also great stress relievers that are self-administered, acupressure can help you reconnect to your vital energy force daily.
Effectiveness
Ongoing studies into the efficacy of acupressure for stress are few, though scientific research on acupuncture is more readily available. Predicated on years of clinical experience, Dr. Michael Reed Gach, founder of the Acupressure Institute, claims that "acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches and tension due to stress."
Warnings
Be sure to apply pressure gently at first and gradually increase the load until you experience "good" pain when performing acupressure. Always let your doctor know that you are using acupressure to complement any ongoing treatments or medications. Acupressure should not be used on abrasions, burns, contusions and the like until healed completely. Be cautious when applying this technique around the abdominal, groin and lymphatic areas. Pregnant women should proceed with extra care when using acupressure, as certain points have been known to trigger premature labor.
Considerations
Stress that is ignored can affect your life physically, emotionally and even spiritually. Though acupressure is a physical approach to relieve physical symptoms of stress, it can also be a spiritual practice to deepen your connection with yourself and your life force. The Eastern approach to healing considers the entire body as a whole, as do many mind-body healing practices. Don't be surprised to find that you feel better emotionally as you use acupressure to relieve a headache. With intention, acupressure can relieve the unwanted side effects of stress, and open the door to the reunion of mind, body and soul.
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