Friday 10 July 2009

What Is Acupressure And How Does It Work?

By Linda Deen

Acupressure is an ancient healing practice that uses the same ideas and points, also known as acu-points, as acupuncture. The difference between the two is that acupressure does not use needles. As its name suggests, it uses pressure, finger pressure, to be exact. This simple method can help with many health issues.

Being a part of a traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure is most widely spread across Asia and has been in use for more than five millenniums.

However, the earliest evidence of acupressure was found on Otzi the Iceman, a 5300 year old mummy from Europe. Otzi had tattoos, mostly simple dots and lines, that correspond to acu-points.

According to traditional Chinese Medicine, energy or qi, sort of like a life force of all living things, runs through the human body along pathways called meridians. Blocked or diminished qi can result in various health problems. Acupressure works by stimulating acu-points located on meridians to balance and unblock the qi energy flow.

Acupressure is most commonly used for pain management, but it can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, both physical and mental. These include arthritis, colds, flu, asthma, headaches, back pain, hypertension, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, allergies, irritable bowel, colitis, constipation, ulcers, depression, insomnia, urinary problems, and skin problems just to name a few.

It is a noninvasive technique. Pressure is applied using fingers, hands, or elbows. Acupoints are rich in blood and quite sensitive to pressure.

Is it safe? Generally speaking it's very safe, with very few possible side effects. You should know, however, that it is not to be used to replace emergency procedures and licensed medical treatment. You should not use acupressure if you have a heart disease or if the acupoint is under a mole. If you're pregnant, see maternity or labor acupressure.

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