Acupressure and acupuncture are both ancient healing arts that stimulates the same points, but acupuncture employs needles while acupressure utilizes gentle but firm pressure of the fingers and other parts of the body. While scientific data exists demonstrating how and why acupuncture is effective, acupressure, the older of the two traditions, was abandoned after the Chinese developed alternative methods for stimulating pressure points with needles and electricity. Unlike acupuncture, acupressure is safe to do on one's own body without any special license or class study, as long as all instructions and cautions are followed.
How Acupressure Works
Acupressure points, also called potent points, are specific locations on the skin that are sensitive to bioelectrical impulses in the body. By stimulating these points with pressure, endorphins are released. Endorphins are the neurochemicals that relieve pain. As a result, pain is blocked and the flow of blood and oxygen increases to the appropriate area. Muscles are able to relax and healing begins.
Tension has a proclivity to concentrate around acupressure points. When a muscle is chronically tense or in spasm, the muscle fibers contract due to the secretion of lactic acid. Lactic acid is produced when a body feels fatigue or stress, or as a result of trauma, chemical imbalances or poor circulation. As pressure is asserted on the appropriate point, the muscle tension yields to the firm contact, enabling the fibers to elongate and relax, blood to flow freely and toxins to be released and eliminated. The increased circulation also brings more oxygen and other nutrients to the afflicted areas.
Acupressure is a “Do It Yourself Healing” Method
The advantage of acupressure is that it is safe for an individual to utilize themselves, as long as all instructions are followed. Another plus is that the only equipment required are a person's hands. There are no side effects from drugs, needles or any other foreign substances to worry about.
Varying rhythms and pressures create different styles of acupressure. Pressing with intermittent, fast beats is stimulating while a slower pressure brings about a deeply relaxing feeling in the body. A general guideline to follow is that the pressure should be firm enough to produce a mixed feeling, somewhere between pleasant and outright pain. The more developed the muscles the more pressure needed.
Firm pressure is the most basic technique. Fingers, palms, thumbs, knuckles or the side of the hand is used to apply stationary pressure gradually and hold without any movement for several minutes at a time. One minute of steady pressure in this instance calms and relaxes the nervous system, promoting greater healing. To stimulate the area, apply pressure for only four or five seconds.
Acupressure Cautions to Consider
Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care, though it can be a complementary treatment. Brisk rubbing, deep pressure, kneading or other overstimulating treatments should not be used on those with serious illnesses or chronic or life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, cancer or high blood pressure.
- Avoid acupressure right before a big meal or on a full stomach.
- Never press an area in an abrupt, forceful or jarring way.
- Use abdominal points carefully and avoid if pregnant or have a life-threatening disease, especially intestinal cancer.
- Lymph areas such as the groin and the area of the throat just below the ears are very sensitive and should be touched lightly, not pressed.
- Do not work directly on serious burns, infections or recently formed scars.
- After an acupressure treatment, the body temperature is lowered as vital energies are concentrating inward to maximize healing. Wear extra clothing and keep warm.
Source:
Gach, Michael Reed, “Acupressure's Potent Points: A Guide to the Self-Care for Common Ailments.” Bantam Book, December 1990
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