What is acupressure?
Acupressure is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy centers in the body. These energy centers or Acupoints lie on energy pathways called Meridians. When acupoints or meridians become blocked or congested you experience pain or discomfort on a physical level. On an emotional level you may become frustrated or irritable, and on a spirit (energetic) level you may experience a sense of feeling ungrounded, vulnerable, and have difficulty knowing your purpose in life. By using deep but gentle finger pressure on specific acupoints the blocked energy starts to release, allowing your body/mind to relax. As your body/mind relaxes, you have an opportunity to explore thought patterns, memories, and belief systems. Through mindful exploration, the way you experience your universe can change, allowing you an opportunity to manifest your purpose in life with less discomfort and stress; with a greater sense of wellbeing.
Acupressure is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which relies on applying pressure to certain points of the body to relieve the symptoms of various complaints. It is also a form of bodywork; many massage therapists integrate acupressure into their repertoires to better serve their clients. An acupressure session typically leaves the client feeling energized, and hopefully less stressed as well. When performed by a competent professional, acupressure can also relieve an assortment of symptoms. TCM relies on a number of basic principles which have been refined over thousands of years of medical practice. One of the major principles of this medical tradition is the idea that health is governed by the flow of life force, or qi, through the body. Interruptions in this flow can lead to medical complaints, as the body’s balance of energy is disrupted.
Acupressure involves pressure points on the body with fingers or hands to alter the internal flow of a supposed vital force or energy called chi (pronounced “chee”), strengthening it, calming it or removing a blockage of the flow. Acupressure is one of a number of treatment methods regularly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, a system of health care that originated in China thousands of years ago, which is still widely practiced in Asian countries today. According to TCM, Acupressure points chart are aligned along 14 body meridians, or pathways. Twelve of the meridians are bilateral, that is, identical versions of them (with the same sets of points) exist on both sides of the body. The other two are unilateral, running along the midline of the body. The 14 meridians do not correspond to any known physiological processes or anatomical structures in the body, such as nerves or blood vessels. Nevertheless, some well–controlled studies suggest that Acupressure can be effective f
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine does not usually operate within a scientific paradigm but some practitioners make efforts to bring practices into an evidence-based medicine framework. There is no scientific consensus over whether or not evidence supports the efficacy of acupressure beyond a placebo. Reviews of existing clinical trials have been conducted by the Cochran Collaboration and Bandolier according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; for most conditions they have concluded a lack of effectiveness or lack of well-conducted clinical trials.
