What is Acupressure
Acupressure is a form of Chinese medicine, it uses the fingers to press key acupressure points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self healing abilities. Acupressure is applied with pressure from the hands and fingers to the acupuncture points without needles. The Chinese have been using acupressure for over 5,000 years.
How does Acupressure work ?
Acupressure point are places on the skin that are especially sensitive to bio-electrical impulses in the body. Chinese cultures believe the points to be junctures of meridian pathways that carry energy called chi the Japanese call it ki. Western scientists have also mapped out and proven the existence of these points using electrical devices.
These points can be stimulated with pressure, needles, or heat to release endorphins that relive pain, as a result pain is blocked the blood and oxygen flow is increased causing muscles to relax and healing to accelerate.
Types of Acupressure
There are many different types of acupressure, and each practitioner may draw from a variety of methods. One of the most popular is shiatsu, a Japanese technique based on ancient Chinese principles. Practitioners of Zen shiatsu use their whole bodies as leverage to apply strong pressure. Barefoot shiatsu practitioners bring the feet into play, as well as the hands, to rub and press acupressure points. In the Chinese acupressure variation known as Tui Na, practitioners use their hands for massage like kneading motions. Reflexology is a type of acupressure that involves pressure points on the feet and sometimes the hands.
Benefits of Acupressure
* Relieving pain
* Balancing the body
* Reduces tension
* Increases circulation
* Relaxing
Many people have reported success using acupressure to relieve pain,
reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation. A number have found the therapy especially helpful for easing back pain and for certain types of headaches, including migraine.
Post-operative pain and nausea has been found to respond to pressure point massage.
Chronic sinusitis sufferers have also found it useful for easing congestion. Although research results are mixed, acupressure is also commonly used for morning sickness, motion sickness, and other types of nausea.
* Some people find that treatments improve their overall vitality and well-being.
The Acupressure Treatment
During a treatment, which can last anywhere from 15 minutes to nearly an hour depending on the severity of the problem, an acupressure therapist may have you sit or lie on a massage table. Some acupressure therapists will work through clothing; others will ask you to undress (you will be covered with a towel).
The therapist will then locate and work on the specific acu-points that relate to your condition. Pressing a point behind your knee, for example, can help address low back pain. Or pressing a point on the top of the foot may help ease the pain of migraine.
Typically, the therapist will press each point for about three to ten seconds (longer in some cases). The points may be pressed and released repeatedly.
If the problem doesn't respond after about 20 to 30 minutes of treatment, acupressure may not be effective for you on that particular day, or for that particular ailment.
After a treatment, you will probably feel looser and more relaxed. You may experience a slight soreness, but you shouldn't be in pain. Within three to eight visits, you should know whether the treatment is working for your ailment.
Stress management usually requires a series of about six regular (weekly or monthly) treatments.
Manipulations
* Percussion: 1-3finger percussion light medium or strong pressure
* Pressing: this is done with the thumb.
* Pinching: pinching movement used on the hands
* Clapping: striking with the flat of the hand using medium force.
* Knocking: tips of the fingers on loose hand, brought down as strike.
Acupressure
Self Acupressure
Self-acupressure has been performed in Asia for thousands of years.
There are a wide range of books and videotapes on the subject so that people can learn how to self-perform acupressure in the comfort of their own homes.
It is a cost-effective treatment and no special equipment is required, all you need is a finger ! You can use fingertips, knuckles, or thumbs to press you can also buy items that press for you.
It can be performed alone anywhere any time. You doesn't need to practice at a particular time of the day to experience its effects.
Each body and each area of the body requires a different amount of pressure.
If it hurts a lot when you apply pressure on a point, then use lighter pressure. The calves, the face, and genital areas are sensitive. The back, buttocks, and shoulders, especially if the musculature is developed, usually need deeper, firmer pressure
Press for around 1 to 5 minutes on any points you are treating and give an equal time to the same point on each side of the body, as in fact you may experience discomfort on one side when the problem is actually on the other side.
Use moderate pressure don't try to drill a hole in yourself but also just resting a finger on an acu-point won't have much effect.
Caution: As with all the therapies on this website consult your doctor before you administer any treatments. See a qualified acupuncturist first and discuss possible acu-points.
Acupressure Chart
Basic acupressure points are as follows:
1. In Yong "Welcome Human" – For high blood pressure
2. Jung Boo "Center of Gathering" – For common cold, cough, & asthma
3. Dan Chung "Middle of Chest" – For asthma, high blood pressure & lack of milk
4. Ki Moon "Door of Expectation" – For rib pains and lack of milk
5. Il Wol "Sun and Moon" – For gall bladder ailments
6. Jung Wan "Midway" – For Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
7. Sang Moon "Hurried Pulse" – For abdominal pain and vomiting
8. Chung Choo "Celestial Pivot" – Abdominal pain and diarrhea
9. Ki Hae "Ocean of Energy" – For stomach pains, diarrhea, menstrual irregularities and constipation
10. Gwan Won "Gate of Origin" – For frigidity, impotence & menstrual irregularities
11. Um Youm "Clear Um/Yin" – For menstrual irregularities & frigidity
12. Pyung Shi "Market of the Wind" – For circulation of the legs and tired legs
13. Yang Kwon "Gate of Yang" – For fevers and paralysis of the legs
14. Im Rip "Almost Crying" – For menstrual irregularities, ringing in the ears & foot pains
15. Yang Goo "On the Hill" – For stomach pains, cramps and arthritis in the knee
16. Jok Sam Ri "3 More Miles" – For general well-being
17. Nae Ching "Inner Garden" – For toothaches and stomach aches
18. Jung Bong "Middle Seal" – For arthritis in the ankle
19. Tae Chung "Supreme Thoroughfare" – For headaches and dizziness
20. Hyel Hae "Ocean of Blood" – For itch, allergic eczema, hives, & menstrual irregularities
21. Un Nung Chun "Um/Yin Mountain Pond" – For pain in the knee
22. Chuk Tack "In the Groove" – For cough, elbow pain and labored breathing
23. Yel Kyel – For common colds, headaches and Bell’s palsy
24. Tae Yen "Supreme Abyss" – For labored breathing, cough, and pharyngitis
25. So Sang "Young Merchant" – For sore throat, cough, pharyngitis, hand spasms, & tired arms
26. Nae Kwan "Inside Gate" – For nausea, vomiting, insomnia and palpitations
27. No Gung "Palace of Anxiety" – For exhaustion
28. Shin Moon "Divine Gate" – For irritability and insomnia
Acupressure points are located throughout the body on meridian lines, these are stimulated with finger and elbow pressure. Kneading, percussive movements, mobilization techniques and stretching are also used. This approach will balance the flow of energy throughout the body as well as stimulating the muscular, nervous, lymphatic, immune and circulatory systems, leaving the client calm, relaxed yet energized and clearly focused in as little as 20 minutes.
