When aches and pains are an issue, you may seek out any form of relief you can find. Human acupressure uses specified pressure points on your body to help you relax and alleviate pain in a holistic fashion. Acupressure is a complementary or alternative therapy and should not take the place of traditional medical care.
Definition
Human acupressure is the use of fingers or other body parts to touch or apply pressure on key points on the skin to help stimulate the body to heal. The theory is that when pressure points are touched, your muscles relax and promote circulation. This helps the qi, or body life energy, circulate, which helps your body heal and become healthier through natural means. This alternative-medicine form of bodywork focuses on the 12 major meridians in your body that channel qi and connect specific organs. Your soft tissues can also be stretched and massaged.
History
Human acupressure is a Chinese complementary therapy that dates back as early as 2000 BC and which evolved from acupuncture. Between 2697 and 2596 BC under the Chinese emperor Huang Ti's reign, acupressure began as a popular alternative healing art for curing pain. Human acupressure was used mostly by the Chinese until the 17th century, when the practice was seen in other parts of Asia and then spread to Europe.
Advantages
Practitioners of acupressure claim that human acupressure is beneficial in relieving pain, putting the body back into balance and maintaining overall good health. Human acupressure and the manipulation of pressure points allow tension to be released and relaxation to take over. The technique is believed to help the immune system resist infection and disease and promote overall well-being. Currently there is no scientific evidence to support the medical claims of acupressure to treat diseases such as cancer, but the alternative therapy may be useful in terms of enhancing your quality of life, according to the American Cancer Society's research on complementary and alternative medicine reviews.
Pressure Points
The pressure points used in human acupressure are found on all parts of your body from the head to the feet. There are approximately 360 pressure points that human acupressure can focus on. Common acupressure points include the GB 20, Gates of Consciousness for headaches and migraines, LI4 or Joining the Valley to relieve toothaches and shoulder pain, B2 or Drilling Bamboo to relieve cold or flu, CV6 or Sea of Energy to promote a healthy immune system, and LU5 or Foot Marsh for relieving asthma.
Considerations
Human acupressure should only be used as a complementary therapy and not as the only method of treating an illness or disease. Anyone with a heart condition and women after the first trimester of pregnancy should not use acupressure. Human acupressure should not be used on broken skin and pressure points that are under bruises, moles or varicose veins. Acupressure is not recommended before or within 20 minutes of bathing, eating a large meal or performing heavy exercise, according to The Online Acupressure Guide.
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