Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can affect the quality of your sleep and may lead to the development of more serious medical conditions. While a number of treatments may help sleep apnea, limited research has shown that acupressure may also provide certain benefits. If you suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your doctor before using alternative remedies.
About Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing art that has been used for thousands of years to treat and heal a variety of physical and mental conditions. The practice is based on the use of deep massage and applied pressure to pressure points and energy meridians located on specific parts of your body. These points and meridians are believed to correspond to energy imbalances and help restore the normal "life" flow, known as qi in Chinese medicine. Acupressure is thought to help remove toxins, improve circulation, reduce muscle pain and release endorphins, according to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website.
Sleep Apnea and Acupressure
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by breathing cessation while you sleep. These pauses in your breathing lead to symptoms such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, abrupt awakening accompanied by shortness of breath and headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues such as an increased risk of stroke and other cardiovascular problems. Some evidence shows that certain alternative treatments, including yoga, meditation and acupressure, can improve symptoms of sleep apnea. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that a specific type of treatment, known as auriculotherapy acupoint pressure, may provide benefits. Auriculotherapy acupoint pressure can be performed using needles in an acupuncture treatment or using manual pressure, as in an acupressure treatment. This type of treatment involves stimulation of the auricle of the external ear.
Clinical Evidence
A study published in the October 2003 issue of "Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine" examined the effects of auricular acupoint pressing in 45 patients suffering from sleep apnea. Thirty patients received the treatment, while 15 patients acted as a control group. The group that received the acupressure treatment experienced a significant decrease in clinical symptoms of sleep apnea. The researchers noted these improvements by measuring specific parameters using multiple channel polysomnography, a test frequently used in sleep studies.
Considerations
While acupressure may help reduce symptoms of sleep apnea, do not use alternative treatments as a replacement for conventional medical care. Sleep apnea can be a potentially dangerous condition that requires medical intervention to prevent the occurrence of more serious medical issues. Talk to your doctor before using acupressure to treat your condition.
References
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Acupressure
- Mayo Clinic: Sleep Apnea: Symptoms
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sleep Apnea
- "Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine"; Clinical Observations on the Effect of Auricular Acupoint Pressing on the Treatment of Sleep Apnea Syndrome; X.H. Wang et al.; October 2003
- Auriculotherapy.com: Frequently Asked Questions
