What Are The Effects Of Acupressure?

Chinese medicine theory approaches the body as a network of interrelated organs and systems maintained by a series, or web, of energy pathways known as meridians. This view, which incorporates not only the physical components, but the mental, emotional, and spiritual, as well, sees them as being seamlessly interrelated. Scientific research aims to confirm the reported effects of acupressure through measurable physical changes. Many studies have substantiated this gentle, natural and non-invasive method of healthcare.

Pain Relief

During President Nixon's visit to China in the 1970's, journalists from the United States traveling with the president, reported on the use of acupuncture during surgery without the benefit of anesthesia. Since then, one of the primary uses of acupressure in the West has been for pain management. Research has supported these observed effects, and a January 2004 study in the European Journal of Anesthesiology reported similar EEG patterns between acupressure and general anesthesia.

Improved Circulation

One of the purported benefits of acupressure is improved blood flow and this was indeed observed in a study at the Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Patients with occlusive peripheral artery disease, an advanced form of circulatory disorder, had significant blood flow improvement to their lower legs because of acupressure treatment. The study measured blood flow by evaluating oxygenation levels.

Digestive Health

In the West, the Asian concept of balancing the body's energy flow means suppressing the overactivity of stress hormones from the adrenal, or stress modulation, system. Both digestion and adrenal activity are controlled by the autonomic part of the nervous system; however, like the accelerator and brake in a car, they cannot function simultaneously. Acupressure was found, in a study published in the 2005 Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, to increase activity of the stomach muscles, which means that digestion is improved and adrenal activity is calmed.

Women's Health

The calming effects of acupressure have a useful place in the treatment of menstrual irregularities, or dysmenorrhea. This form of therapy can be used as a convenient self-help technique for relief of minor aches, pains, irritability and other symptoms associated with menstruation. Researchers Chen and Chen reported that treatment of a single point called Sanyinjiao, resulted in reduced pain and anxiety for 31 of 35 adolescents in their study.

Post-Surgical Discomfort

After surgery, it is preferable to rely on as little medication as possible. Acupressure has been found to lessen the drug requirements of post-surgical patients to control symptoms of nausea and vomiting, which are common and undesirable complications. In a study by researchers Lee and Done, one form of acupressure therapy used bands that contained small plastic buttons to stimulate certain acupressure points. The bands were attached to the wrists and provided relief from nausea and lessened the need for drug intervention.