Information On Acupressure Rods

Acupressure is a form of bodywork, or massage, based on traditional Chinese medicine. During acupressure treatment, a practitioner applies pressure to certain points on the body using fingertips or instruments such as wooden or glass rods. Possible medicinal benefits of using acupressure rods include relief of pain, nausea and stress; however, there is no evidence that acupuncture can prevent or influence the course of any illness.

Features

Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which aims to cure illnesses by balancing the body's energy flow, or "qi." Some people consider acupressure to be "acupuncture without needles," as the two practices use the same principle of manipulating "acupoints" on the body that correspond to certain health-influencing energy meridians. Acupressure practitioners use fingers or rods made of wood or glass to apply pressure to acupoints on the body of the person receiving treatment.

Benefits

Acupressure, performed using rods or fingertips, may produce various health benefits. According to the Arthritis Foundation, acupressure may help relieve pain associated with arthritis because it may generate anti-inflammatory effects and cause the brain to release pain-killing endorphins. Additionally, according to the American Cancer Society, acupressure may reduce nausea in cancer patients going through chemotherapy. Acupressure may also be used to relieve nausea related to morning sickness or other causes. Acupressure and other types of Asian bodywork may even reduce stress.

Products

Asian bodywork shops and online vendors sell various types of acupressure rods. Acupressure practitioners can purchase simple glass rods with rounded ends that can be used to apply pressure to acupoints when performing acupressure. These rods also double as "pressure probes" with which the practitioner can locate acupoints on the body. Other types of acupressure rods include products intended for self-acupoint manipulation. These products consist of a mat or board covered with many small rods, on which the user is supposed to lie, sit, or place the feet. Acupressure rods may range in cost from $10 for a simple glass rod, to $30 or more for more sophisticated self-acupressure products.

Warning

Although acupressure may temporarily help relieve pain or nausea, scientific evidence does not indicate that acupressure can influence the course of any disease, nor does it support the concepts of acupoints or qi. Do not use acupressure or other forms of alternative medicine to replace traditional treatments prescribed by your doctor. Although acupressure and other forms of bodywork may generally be used to complement traditional treatment if they help relieve your discomfort, bodywork involving deep pressure should be avoided during active treatment for cancer and by people with fragile bones, according to the American Cancer Association.

Considerations

If you decide to proceed with acupressure treatment using self-applied acupressure rods or acupressure treatment performed by someone else, it is important to take certain precautions to protect your safety and your pocketbook. Beware of products whose advertisements use pseudomedical jargon such as "detoxify" or "energize" and products that make big promises, including products that claim to cure any health condition. When choosing an acupressure practitioner, make sure the person is licensed and certified.