As interest in alternative forms of healing has increased in the United States and other Western countries, attention has turned to systems used in other cultures. Among the alternative healing options available in many parts of the U.S. are practices gleaned from traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and acupressure.
Identification
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses the pressure of a hand, fingers or a tool to press on and stimulate various points in the body, according to Worldwide Health. The points used in acupressure are the same as those used in acupuncture, and the intent to treat certain conditions by stimulating those points is the same as in acupuncture. The primary difference is that acupuncture uses needles to stimulate certain points, while acupressure uses pressure that does not break the skin.
History
According to the Melbourne College of Professional Therapists, acupressure has been used in China for over two thousand years. One of the earliest known Chinese medical texts, written in approximately 200 B.C., describes the use of acupressure to treat paralysis caused by physical or emotional trauma. The development of acupressure techniques continued through China's history, and by the 1300s, acupressure had become one of the thirteen main methods of medical treatment in China. Acupressure methods continue to be used in Chinese medicine today.
Function
Acupressure relies on the concept of meridians, which are "pathways" in the body identified by Chinese medicine, according to the Melbourne College of Professional Therapists. Meridians connect the various systems of the body and direct the flow of energy, known as "qi," through the body. Acupressure uses pressing or massaging points on the meridians that correspond to areas of the body that are diseased or injured. By applying pressure to these points, acupressure is thought to stimulate the body to heal itself.
Types
There are many different ways to use acupressure, according to Acupressure.com. Acupressure can be used by pressing or massaging points on the meridians. It can also be used by massaging the feet, paying special attention to points identified by reflexology to stimulate healing in other parts of the body. Also, practitioners of Reiki, an energy-based healing technique, may choose to combine Reiki work with attention to relevant acupressure points in order to encourage further healing. Acupuncture, which is a related discipline to acupressure, uses fine needles inserted into points on the meridians to encourage the body's natural healing processes.
Benefits
Acupressure offers several benefits that make it an attractive healing option, according to Worldwide Health. First, since acupressure does not rely on medication, it does not carry the risk of side effects or adverse reactions that treatment with medication may pose. Also, since acupressure relies on pressure or massage that does not break the skin, it poses no risk of infection, which is a slight risk posed by acupuncture needles. Finally, patients can learn to perform simple acupressure techniques on themselves, reducing the need for costly visits to a professional.
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