Acupressure, one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, involves the stimulation of specific points on the body to balance the flow of qi, or universal life energy. While most acupressure practitioners rely on pressure or massage applied with the fingertips, some also use burning herbs, friction and other types of thermal stimulation to speed the healing process. Thermal acupressure is not a replacement for conventional medical therapies.
Theory
Warmth is a good thing in TCM terms. At the root of most illnesses and symptoms lies stagnant, cold qi that pools in the body. An acupressure treatment works on key points on the body to break up qi blockages and stimulate the free flow of qi. Acupressure techniques that use warmth can help to clear these blockages all the more quickly and allow the qi to flow smoothly and abundantly once more.
Considerations
If you have a florid face, tend to be flushed and overheated or you suffer from rashes like eczema, you might have too much heat internally, according to the website Chinese Medicine Hospital for Chronic and Difficult Diseases. Thermal acupressure that warms your system might not be for you. A TCM practitioner, such as an acupressure therapist or acupuncturist, can give you a complete diagnosis and provide the best course of treatment.
Traditional Forms
Acupressure alone can cause you to feel hot through the release of qi that accompanies pressure point stimulation and massage, but some forms really turn up the heat through specific techniques. In moxibustion, the practitioner places a burning piece of the herb mugwort on a point in order to expel cold or stagnant qi, according to the website Acupuncture Today. In addition to stimulating specific pressure points, Tui Na massage creates heat through vigorous rubbing and chafing of the skin.
Modern Innovations
You might encounter the term "thermal acupressure" as a description of tables that deliver an automated massage along with heat and infrared radiation. According to Dr. Tahmineh Nikookar, doctor of TCM and director of Lions Gate Health Centre in Vancouver, BC, the rollers of a thermal acupuressure table mimic TCM massage, while the infrared rays stimulate the body in a manner similar to acupuncture and moxibustion. Lacking the precision and sensitivity of a human practitioner, however, such tables seem more likely to provide an all over relaxation effect than a treatment that targets specific health issues.
Benefits
Thermal acupressure works well in cases where a client is very ill or suffers from a longstanding chronic disorder. Moxibustion in particular has a strong positive impact on the production of white blood cells, and will strengthen the body's defense systems, according to Skya Abbate, doctor of Oriental medicine in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and co-author of "Advanced Techniques in Oriental Medicine." The vigorous rubbing of Tui Na massage can help relax muscle spasms and clear inflammation from arthritic joints.
Caution
Although applying heat to acupressure points can speed healing, it's best to let a TCM professional decide whether this is the best course of treatment for you. Using heat rather than simple pressure point massage with your fingertips is an advanced technique, and can damage your internal energy if you use it incorrectly, according to the website Eclectic Energies.
References
- Chinese Medicine Hospital for Chronic and Difficult Diseases: Eczema and Traditional Chinese Medicine in China
- Acupuncture Today: Moxibustion
- Dr. Tahmineh Nikookar: Thermal Acupressure
- "Advanced Techniques in Oriental Medicine"; Skya Abbate and Giovanni Maciocia; 2006
- Eclectic Energies: How to Apply Acupressure
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