Acupressure is an alternative medicine practice that is similar to acupuncture, just without the needles. Acupressure practitioners use mainly their fingers to apply pressure to points on the body where an acupuncturist would insert a needle. Treating sunburn pain is a traditional use in acupressure, but more evidence is needed to prove its effectiveness for relieving pain, according to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website. Speak with your doctor before trying alternative medicine.
Sunburn Relief
Alternative therapies such as acupuncture techniques may help reduce your sunburn pain when performed in conjunction with standard medical care, according to The Rothfeld Center for Integrative Medicine. Acupuncture techniques are almost identical to acupressure techniques. With acupuncture, the practitioner pierces the skin with needles on acupoints, which are spots on the body believed to bring certain benefits when stimulated. Acupressure practitioners use fingers or other tools to put pressure, or stimulation, on the same spots. Both techniques can relieve pain. Treatment for sunburn includes activating acupoints around the injured area. This speeds recovery if performed within 10 to 12 days after a sunburn.
Acupressure Technique
There are five acupoints you can press to relieve pain and inflammation from sunburn, says Stasia Bliss, an acupressurist who has been in the field of holistic medicine since 1997. The first point is at the back of the ankle in the little divot above the heel. The next spot is on the inside of the calf about one hand-width above the ankle. The third point is on the outside of the calf about one hand-width below the knee. The fourth point is the spot on the webbing between the thumb and index finger. The final point is on the inside of the forearm about two finger-widths above the wrist. Each spot feels tender. Rub them gently on both sides of the body for 15 seconds.
Traditional Care
Acupressure works well along with traditional medical care. There are some things you can do at home for minor sunburn treatment, including drinking fluids, applying a cool compress, moisturizing your skin with petroleum jelly or a cream, taking an over-the-counter medication like ibuprophen to reduce inflammation, and applying an anti-itch product like calamine lotion. You should contact a doctor if your sunburn does not get better after two days, or if you experience nausea, weakness, blistering, fatigue or chills.
Benefits
Using acupressure for sunburn or other pain offers several benefits over traditional treatments. Since the pain relief is natural and does not use medications, there are no side effects. Acupressure also improves your overall physical and emotional well-being. With sunburns it is easy to identify the cause of your pain, but other types of pain may not have such an obvious root cause. You may also want to try acupressure for different types of pain because it can address the root cause, according to licensed acupuncturist Marjorie Singler of the Center for Chinese and Wholistic Medicine in California.
References
- Natural Standard: Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tuina
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Acupressure
- Medical News Today: Acupuncture, Acupressure and Aromatherapy Efficient in Tackling Pain
- The Rothfeld Center for Integrative Medicine: Preventing and Healing Sunburn
- CosmeticSurgeryNewYorkCity.net: Acupressure Treatments: Acupressure for Sunburn Pain
- University Health Services: Sunburn Prevention and Treatment
- Center for Chinese and Wholistic Medicine: Freedom from Pain - Healing the Root Cause
