The primary difference between acupressure and acupuncture is that acupressure uses finger pressure to stimulate the body's pressure points, while acupuncture uses needles to mildly pierce the skin to stimulate those same pressure points. The few other differences between acupressure and acupuncture include the teaching of the practice, the ability to self-practice, related practices and the possible side effects of each practice. Both acupressure and acupuncture are considered alternative medicine, the goal of which is healing within the body, and each practice originated thousands of years ago in China.
Origin
Acupressure, known in Chinese as Zhi Ya, and acupuncture, or Zhen Jiu, originated thousands of years ago; they are the best known of China's traditional methods for healing the body. These practices flourished in Asia for years until Western medicine was introduced in the 17th century. Acupressure and acupuncture started making a comeback in the late 1920s, and in the 1970s were recognized by the World Health Organization as effective methods of treating 40 major internal diseases.
Healing
Acupuncture and acupressure developed as a manner of healing the body. Traditional Chinese medicine dictates that the body has a balanced state, and that disease and illness are caused by an imbalance in the body that blocks your flow of chi, or vital energy. By placing needles or pressure at select pressure points on the body, the practitioner clears any blocks that may exist, restoring a proper flow of chi throughout your body and returning your body to its properly healthy state.
Side Effects
The side effects from acupressure and acupuncture are minimal and usually stem from poor practitioners. Acupressure's occasional side effects are bruising and soreness, both resulting from pressure applied too suddenly or for too prolonged a period of time. Acupuncture's side effects can be a bit more dangerous; improperly sterilized needles or needles not placed properly in the body can cause infection or damage to your organs. Make sure when receiving acupuncture that your practitioner is using a fresh set of disposable needles--watch your practitioner open the package--and say something immediately if you experience any sort of discomfort.
Massage and Reflexology
Acupressure, due to the use of fingers instead of needles, is often taught to students of massage and reflexology. The principles of reflexology, which uses points on the hands and feet to stimulate healing in other parts of the body, are very similar to that of acupressure.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion originally began as a practice separate from acupuncture, but in recent years the two have become intertwined. When combining acupuncture with moxibustion, the practitioner burns an herb called moxa on the patient's skin; this burning does not harm or scar the body and is designed to heat and further relax the points receiving acupuncture.
Self-Practice
Acupressure, unlike acupuncture, is an art that you can learn to practice on yourself. You'll want to do so with care and research a pressure map first (see Resources 1), but self-practice of acupressure can help you ease minor aches and pains that stem from everyday life. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is not an art that can be easily learned self-practiced; obtaining a license to perform acupuncture requires training, and self-practice--especially without proper training and certification--can cause immense harm to your body.
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