According to "Psychology Today," acupressure may help improve insomnia, because trouble sleeping may result from an underlying medical condition that corresponds with a particular acupressure point. "The Journal Standard" reports that reflexologists manipulate nerves among the 7,200 nerve endings in your feet to stimulate healthy functioning in other parts of your body.
Reflexology
According to the Reflexology Association of America, reflexology is a noninvasive complementary treatment that involves applying alternating pressure to reflexes within "reflex maps" of different parts of your body. This therapy is reflexive because the purpose of working on one part of the body is to produce positive effects for another part. Reflexology aims to re-educate and recondition nerves throughout your body's neural system. Reflexologists treat different organs and systems in your body by pressing on reflex points that correspond with individual organs and systems.
Acupressure
Acupressure is touch therapy that applies acupuncture principles by pressing on the same points on the body that are used in acupuncture. An acupressure therapist may stimulate acupressure points to increase your energy, reduce stress or stimulate your immune system. Acupressure therapy may help alleviate sexual dysfunction or enhance your feeling of well-being. Acupressure may also help relieve symptoms of illness and pain; the Medical Dictionary online suggest that acupressure massage may help prevent or treat ailments like headaches, arthritis cold and flu symptoms.
Reflexology Points
Reflexology points on your feet, hands and ears correspond with specific organs, bones and systems in your body. Both of your feet have reflex points on the bottom, sides and top of the foot. Your ears have reflex points throughout the inner and outer surface of each ear. According to the University of Minnesota, reflex points on the left foot correspond with all the bodily systems on that side of your body and reflex points on your right foot correspond to systems on the right side.
Acupressure Points
Acupressure therapists stimulate your body's self-healing systems by applying pressure to acupressure points. Stimulating particular acupressure points may release tension or promote blood circulation. According to Stanford University, acupressure derives from traditional Asian medicine that suggests your body encloses flowing bioenergy or a life force. This energy flows along pathways or meridians arranged across the length of your whole body and influence all your organs, body systems and tissues. Hundreds of acupressure points are spread along these meridians.
Comparison
Reflexology is similar to acupressure, because both are reflex therapies that work with your body's vital energy system by stimulating points on your body. Acupressure and reflexology both work on parts of the body with the intention of treating other parts of the body. However, reflexology and acupressure points do not always coincide. Reflexology points are arranged in an orderly pattern that resembles the shape of the human body on three parts of your body. Acupressure, on the other hand, uses around 800 reflex points that are arranged along energy lines or meridians that run across the length of your entire body.
Member Comments