Ayurvedic acupressure is a type of massage or alternative medical treatment that blends two ancient forms of medicine: Ayurveda and acupressure. Both approaches to health and wellness have been utilized by Indians and Asians for thousands of years. The benefits of applying both methodologies may help relieve pain, improve blood flow and relieve stress and anxiety in some.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient form of medicine developed in India, and today it is practiced around the world. Ayurvedic medicine and treatments take a holistic, whole-body approach to health and wellness, focusing on the physical, mental and emotional aspects of a person. Today, Ayurvedic medicine is considered a complementary and alternative medicine which is often combined with traditional medical practices and treatments. Ayurvedic medical practices rely heavily on herbs, massage and diet when treating a variety of illnesses and conditions.
Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that uses the fingers, knuckle or other objects such as a pencil eraser to create pressure along certain points in the body called meridians. This form of medicine is similar to the practice of acupuncture, replacing pressure with the needles. Acupressure has been practiced for generations to help improve flow of "chi," or life-force, through the body. Pressure is applied to certain areas of the body for about 30 seconds.
Ayurvedic Acupressure
In Ayurveda, these points along the meridians are called Marma points. Marma points are considered energy points, much as pressure points found in Chinese acupressure methodologies, states Vasant Lad and Anisha Durve, authors of "Marma Points of Ayurveda--The Energy Pathways for Healing Body, Mind and Consciousness with a Comparison to Traditional Chinese Medicine," stimulating not only circulation, but improving mental and emotional outlook.
Marma Points
Marma points are found throughout the body. For example, the Marma point found just beneath the base of the little fingernail is called Kanishthika, or Point 97, HT-9 or Shaochong in Chinese, corresponding to the acupressure point in Chinese medicine. The area in the webbing between the thumb and index finger is called the Angushtha Mula, or Point 89, or Hegu LI-4 in Chinese.
Effects
Ayurvedic acupressure, depending on the location of the point, may relieve pain, stiffness and increase circulation of oxygenated blood to the area serviced by the pressure point. For example, two paired points at the upper level of the shoulder near the neck, called Urdhva Skandha, or Jianging in Chinese, are pressed at the same time to help relieve a pinched nerve, treat rotator cuff tendonitis and relieve headaches. Mental benefits of applying pressure at these points include relief of headache and promoting calm.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ayurvedic Medicine - An Intriduction
- Stanford School of Medicine: PointFinder - The Online Acupressure Guide
- Marma Points of Ayurveda--The Energy Pathways for Healing Body, Mind and Consciousness with a Comparison to Traditional Chinese Medicine; Vasant Lad and Anisha Durve; 2008
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