Used for thousands of years in China, acupressure applies the same principles as acupuncture to promote relaxation and wellness and to treat disease. Sometimes called pressure acupuncture, Acupressure is often thought of as simply acupuncture without the needles. But what exactly is acupressure and how does it work?
What Is the Theory Behind Acupressure?
Acupressure is just one of several Asian Bodywork Therapies (ABT) with roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Examples of other Asian bodywork therapies are medical qigong and Tuina. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of acupressure. Traditional Chinese medical theory describes special acupoints, or acupressure points, that lie along meridians, or channels, in your body. These are the same energy meridians and acupoints as those targeted with acupuncture. It is believed that through these invisible channels flows vital energy -- or a life force called qi (chi). It is also believed that these 12 major meridians connect specific organs or networks of organs, organizing a system of communication throughout your body. The meridians begin at your fingertips, connect to your brain, and then connect to an organ associated with a certain meridian. According to this theory, when one of these meridians is blocked or out of balance, illness can occur. Acupressure and acupuncture are among the types of TCM that are thought to help restore balance.
How Does Acupressure Work?
Acupressure practitioners use their fingers, palms, elbows or feet, or special devices to apply pressure to acupoints on the body's meridians. Sometimes, acupressure also involves stretching or acupressure massage, as well as other methods. During an acupressure session, you lie fully clothed on a soft massage table. The practitioner gently presses on acupressure points on your body. A session typically lasts about one hour. You may need several sessions for the best results. The goal of acupressure or other types of Asian bodywork is to restore health and balance to the body's channels of energy and to regulate opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Some proponents claim acupressure not only treats the energy fields and body but also the mind, emotions, and spirit. Some even believe that therapists can transmit vital energy (external qi) to another person. Not all Western practitioners believe that this is possible or even that these meridians exist. Instead, they attribute any results to other factors, such as reduced muscle tension, improved circulation, or stimulation of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
How Does Acupressure Relate With My Aim Of Research?
Acupressure is a way of treatment for those who suffer from an incurable disease. An incurable disease's patient who has a health problem such as cancer is suitable for this way of treatment. In addition to relieving nausea right after chemotherapy, there are individual reports that acupressure also helps reduce stress, improve energy levels, relieve pain, and lessen other symptoms of cancer or its treatments. More research is needed to confirm these reports. In this blog, I will tell you some common pressure points that are also called Acupressure Points for Self Treatment.
Common Acupressure Points for Self Treatment are helpful to reduce day to day stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, back and neck pains, headache, etc. You don’t have to be an expert in Acupressure to apply them. All you need to do is to know some applying techniques and timings of Acupressure Points. Applying pressure on some popular Acupressure Points regularly will help you to treat yourself with Acupressure Points for Self Treatment.
A single acupressure point can work in two different ways. When a point is stimulated in the same area that pain and tension are occurring, this is referred to as a focal point. Other points may be stimulated on a specific part of the body with the intent of relieving a symptom or ailment elsewhere in the body; this is called a trigger point and works through the electrical pathways of the meridian system at a distance.
Before self-administering acupressure, it is advisable to do some deep breathing and light stretching, to maximize relaxation and muster a peaceful mental state beforehand.
To apply pressure and stimulate the pressure points, firm pressure is the most fundamental and effective technique. Using either the thumbs, fingers, knuckles, palms or the side of the hands, apply firm and stationary pressure to the chosen point. You should slowly increase the amount of pressure applied to the point over 3 minutes to experience optimal results from the treatment. Each point will feel slightly different when pressure is applied and you should be firm enough that it begins to hurt somewhat. If the point is particularly sensitive, you should gradually decrease the pressure until a balance between pain and pleasure is struck.
Caution: If you have a serious or life-threatening illness, please consult with your physician before practicing acupressure.
Below is a list of five of the most potent acupressure points which each one of us can utilize daily to stop stress and anxiety dead in its tracks when it starts to arise in our bodies and minds.
Point 1 (Nei Guan)
Starting from the wrist, measure the length of three fingers down the forearm. Where the third finger meets the middle of the arms width is where the point is located. Apply firm pressure using the thumb and gently rotated the thumb in a circular motion to massage the point for 2-3 minutes. Doing this to both arms will help to melt anxiety and will also help reduce any nausea present.
Point 2 (Union Valley)
This point is located between the webbing of the index finger and thumb. Apply the index finger and thumb from the opposing hands to either side of the webbing to form a pinch. Apply firm pressure for three minutes whilst taking deep enough breathes to fully inflate the abdomen. Applying pressure to this point will help to relieve stress and tension in the body.
Point 3 (Shoulder Well)
This stimulation point is located halfway between the point of the shoulder and the base of the neck. Applying pressure with your index finger to this point aids in relieving stress and decreasing tension in the body. According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this point also helps to free up the flow of Qi throughout the meridian system.
Point 4 (Central Treasury)
This meridian point is located on the tender tissue two finger widths above where the underneath of the arm meets the chest. Using the tip of the index finger and applying moderate pressure to this point, to either one or both sides simultaneously, will aid with deep breathing and increased blood circulation, and help with the balancing of unstable emotions.
Point 5 (Heavenly Pillar)
This point lies one finger width below the base of the skull, upon the rope-like muscles roughly one half-inch either side of the spine. Web the fingers across the back of the skull and use both thumbs to apply firm pressure to both points. Close the eyes and take long and deep breathes whilst stimulating the point for around 3 minutes to relieve stress. These points also assist in insomnia, a stiff neck, over exhaustion and swollen eyes.
Acupressure technique in India
Method of diagnosis
The Indian culture using Bharatiya as a method in acupressure and its concept is different from Chinese. This method is also subtler and softer than the Chinese technique. Chinese used to study of 'Yang' and 'Yin' in Meridian. Yang represents masculinity or action principle on the right side while Yin represents feminity on the left side. Bharatiya studies about vibrations concentration in the various points of the energy and the vibrations that activate the cells in respective organ. When a specific point is pressed, the disease associated with the specific organ is diagnosed. Through activation of points, the obstacle in the flow of energy is overcome.
Actual treatment method and the effect of Bharatiya
This method generates chetana in the organ, which increases
the ability of the organ and thereby eliminates obstacles through the proper functioning of that organ. Indian acupressure Therapy is not only a means to
cure physical ailments but is a science that understands the importance of
chetana-shakti (Sentient energy) in human life, and teaches what individuals
should do every moment of their lives to keep chetana-shakti functioning
smoothly. Understanding this science and trying to put it into practice is
itself ‘sadhana (Spiritual practice)’.
The important pressure point of Bharatiya
1. Point on Shoulder
The important pressure point of Bharatiya
1. Point on Shoulder
This point located mid-way on both of the shoulders. Press each point with the fingers of the opposite hand. Pressing these points regularly cures hereditary disorders and prevents the transmission of these disorders to the next generation. These points are also effective for disorders of the thyroid gland and disorders in the region from the head to the shoulders. Regularly pressing these points also helps in correcting calcium deficiency. This point is also beneficial in the following cases – headache, back pain, earache, hair fall, greying of hair, kidney stones, sciatica (extreme pain in the legs due to pressure on the veins in the legs), etc. In short, these points provide relief in several ailments. This point must be accurately located before applying pressure.
2. Points on the forearms
Press the forearm from the elbow to the palm twice a day for
2 minutes each in the morning and evening. While the hand is being pressed,
open-close the fist of that hand. This therapy helps burn excess fat in the
body. It also reduces back pain and eases out the neck. Ailments such as a tennis-elbow, spondylosis, etc. can be
prevented.
3. Points on the legs
Apply pressure to the legs below the knees twice a day for 2
minutes each in the morning and evening. It helps burn excess fat in the
body and improves blood circulation. It also provides relief in sciatica and alleviates leg pain
and back pain.
