Acupressure is a type of massage therapy based on acupuncture points, or “acupoints,” though the therapy does not use needles to pierce the skin. It is a form of Chinese medicine, which can successfully address chronic health problems, according to Drew Smith, doctor of Oriental medicine and medical director of The Tortoise Clinic in Destin, Fla. The acupoints are located in areas of unbalanced qi and can be addressed with manual pressure or using a device that delivers electrical stimulation.
Qi
Qi is the Chinese term for life force. Within the body, qi can be thought of as a river that ultimately flows toward an ocean. The course, flow and depth of the river may vary, but it always follows its most natural path. Chronic or acute health conditions may be treated by addressing specific points that may be either deficient or stagnating with excessive qi.
Acupoints
The foundation of acupressure massage is based on the idea that, by selecting specific points of unbalanced qi, a positive physical effect is produced upon realigning these channels. These points of high qi concentration, the acupoints, can be represented on an auricular map so a therapist can target a problem spot with either a handheld device or by sight. Acupressure treatment can be used on its own but typically is seen in combination with other modalities, such as acupuncture or bodywork.
Acupressure Massage
There are different types of acupressure massage. Besides the Chinese method, the Japanese practice of shiatsu is the other most well-known adaptation of acupressure treatment. Massage can be performed manually or with a handheld device that delivers a specific electrical stimulation to an acupoint. Handheld devices may use an electrode or slender wand to deliver mild electrical current.
Acupressure Devices
The electro-acupressure devices currently being used serve two purposes. They help the practitioner diagnose the most ideal location for treatment by using electrical resistance. They also direct current into the body, with the hopes of breaking stagnation and tonifying the deficient qi. Smith stresses that acupressure tools and electrical stimulation devices should be used only by professionals who have received extensive and certified training.
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