Acupressure is a generic term for a variety of Asian-style massages that use the same points as acupuncture. Shiatsu, from Japan, and tui na, from China, are typical acupressure massages that include massage techniques as well as pressure on acupuncture points. These traditional techniques are based on the theory of qi -- pronounced chi -- or vital energy which travels around the body in pathways called meridians.
Traditional Explanations
According to traditional Chinese medicine, energy comes from food and air, and is distributed around your body by the organs which are connected to each other and to the surface of your body by means of energy pathways or meridians. When energy is abundant and flows freely, you are healthy. Energy obstruction leads to disease. Pain in acupressure points is a symptom of blocked energy. Massaging those points helps to remove obstructions and increases the flow of energy.
Acupressure Techniques
Acupressure achieves its effects through massage, point work and stretches. Traditional acupressure therapists begin the acupressure session with general massage to relax muscles and connective tissue so that energy can flow more freely. They analyze energy balance by pressing on diagnostic points that indicate the kind and location of an energy imbalance. They then select appropriate therapeutic points and stimulate each one with light or deep pressure depending on the nature of the imbalance. Finally they finish the acupressure session by stretching the patient's joints.
Theories
There is no scientific evidence that meridians exist, and very little scientific explanation of how acupressure achieves its effects. In fact, there isn't any evidence that acupressure can cure any disease. However, it does relax muscles, mobilize joints, reduce pain and help recipients to relax deeply. One theory is that by relaxing stress, the immune system is stronger and able to resist disease better. Another theory is that the relaxation and human touch stimulate the release of pain killers called endorphins. A third theory is that acupressure makes people feel better by interrupting painful nerve signals with a different sensation, or that pressing on acupressure points temporarily deprives the local tissue of oxygen by blocking blood flow.
Expert Insight
According to an August 2011 article in the "Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology" electrodes placed on the skin show that muscle activity increases at acupressure points. So apparently there is more electrical activity in acupressure points than in surrounding tissue. Measuring magnetic fields in the brain generated by electrical activity in the cells shows that acupressure apparently changes how the brain reacts to sensations from the body, according to the authors of the study reported in "Neuroscience" who feel it may hold promise for helping patients with pain and neuropathy.
References
- New York University Langone Medical Center; Acupuncture; 2011
- University of California San Diego: Acupressure
- "Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology"; SEMG Signal Analysis at Acupressure Points for Elbow Movement; H. S. Ryait, et al.; August 2011
- "BMC Neuroscience"; Differences in Cortical Response to Acupressure and Electroacupuncture Stimuli; T. Witzel, et al.; July 2011
- "Evid Based Complement Alternat Med"; Comparative Effects of Acupressure at Local and Distal Acupuncture Points...; T. Matsubara, et al.; September 2010
- "Physiological Measurement"; Differences in the Microcirculatory Effects of Local Skin Surface Contact Pressure...; H Hsiu, et al.; June 2010
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