The Acupressure website defines acupressure as an ancient healing art that uses the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points that stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. It works with the same lines of energy, or meridians, and the same points as acupuncture. The altMd website lists the benefits of acupressure as mental and physical relaxation, a balanced flow of the body's energy, an increase in local blood circulation in the area of stimulation, release of endorphins to aid in pain control and stress management, to name a few.
Mental and Physical Relaxation and Stress
The Acupressure website suggests acupressure for stress and tension. When certain acupressure points are stimulated, they can allow you to relax. They can enable you to breathe more deeply, which in turn will increase the amount of oxygen available for use by your muscles and tissues. When the muscles and tissues get enough blood and oxygen, they are able to relax. This will help to remove muscular tension and discomfort.
Balancing the Body's Energy
Acupressure Online states acupressure is designed to balance the qi, or the energy in the body. The energy should flow through the meridian channels unobstructed and evenly. If the qi in the body is in balance, your body will be able to heal itself and prevent disease from forming. If the qi becomes imbalanced, you will begin to exhibit symptoms and eventually become ill.
Increase Circulation
The Acupressure website states acupressure can increase circulation to the area you are stimulating. There are certain points that function to increase circulation in your whole body. This increase in circulation in the area will allow your body to remove toxins from the tissues, cause your muscle fibers to elongate which increases relaxation to your muscles, benefit your immune system and aid in healing any damage in the area.
Pain Control
Acupressure is thought to cause the body to release endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural pain medication. They are chemicals that act on the same receptors as morphine. When these receptors are activated they cause you to feel a reduction in pain and have a sense of well-being. You would stimulate different points depending on the cause and type of your pain.
Caution
Acupressure can be beneficial for many conditions. It is important that if you are experiencing severe symptoms or any long-term illness that you seek the advice of a medical professional. Many conditions that benefit from acupressure should also be monitored by a physician.
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