Acupressure is a branch of ‘Traditional Chinese Medicine’ (TCM) and it is believed to predate Acupuncture by several millenniums. Like Acupuncture, the precise date of its origin is not known.
The concept of ”Qi” forms the basis of this therapy. According to TCM, “Qi” is the energy force that flows throughout the body along the “Meridians” i.e. special pathways. When any of these pathways is obstructed, it causes abundance of “Qi” at one end of the blockage and lack of it at another. This imbalance in the body energy results in an illness and in order to bring it back to its homeostasis, the blockage needs to be eased out.
The theory behind Acupressure maintains that it can be done by applying varying degrees of physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on specific points. It helps release muscular tension , promotes the circulation of blood and the body energy to aid healing. These points are same as the acupuncture points which are specific locations where the meridians come to the surface of the skin. There are 14 main meridians running vertically up and down the body. Out of these, there are 6 pairs of meridians that are connected to individual organs. There are also two unpaired midline Meridians.
The techniques of acupressure differ not only from country to country, but also from city to city in a same country and in a same state. For example, the practitioners of “Zen shiatsu” use their whole bodies as leverage to apply strong pressure, while those of the Chinese acupressure variation known as “Tui Na” use their hands for massage like kneading motions.
The therapy is found to be especially helpful for easing back pain and for certain types of headaches, including migraine. The acupressure specialists have developed a wristband that is said to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness and other forms of nausea.
The acupressure practitioners also claim to have cured Breast Cancer , Asthma , Diabetes, Renal (Kidney) Failures , Intestinal Problems ,Gouts/Stones in Kidney & Bladder, Paralysis ,PMS, Infertility, Menopause, Pregnancy Problems, Backaches, Spondalitis, Slipped Disks, Fractures, and Dislocations ,Arthritis and Rheumatism.
This therapy is also used by the experts in East Asian martial arts in order to keep onself physically fit and thus less vulnerable to an attack. The same technique can be used to manipulate or incapacitate an opponent.
No wonder, this multi-purpose therapy has gained wide acceptance all over the world.
There have been natural things that were done many thousands of years ago which are still very good for us if we are able to do them properly today. A good example of this is the ancient Chinese art of acupressure. It is very similar to acupuncture, which also was developed by the Chinese in that it is something that can be done at home, without the use of a qualified therapist. If you are able to do acupressure properly, you can overcome a number of different difficulties that you may be dealing with in your life. A classic example of this is dealing with stress successfully.
The basic principle behind acupressure is the fact that the body has an energy that flows through it at any given time. Different cultures have given different names to this energy but almost every culture is in agreement that the body does contain this energy within it. The problem is, many of us have an imbalance on the inside of our bodies and this can block the free flow of that energy, causing a number of different problems for us. Some of these problems may be recognized as physical problems, while others may be mental problems, such as excessive stress.
If you find that you're in a situation where your stress levels are rising considerably, you can use acupressure in order to drop those stress levels quickly. The way that this is done is by using two particular pressure points that are found on the head. The first of these pressure points is a slightly soft spot that is found directly above the nose, right between the eyes. The other one is found on the crown of the head and it is also a soft area which can be felt with the fingertips. Whenever these two acupressure points are stimulated through light pressure, it can release energy which will help to remove the stress that you are feeling.
The real key to doing this type of acupressure properly is finding the right points and having the right amount of pressure. It is not necessary for you to press very hard in order for this to work. As a matter of fact, a light touch is all that is generally necessary in order to see a difference. Practice it for yourself regularly, it can help to reduce your stress naturally. One of the first things that we should do is to make ourselves a list of everything that we consider to be a burden in our life. Some of these burdens are going to be ones that we want to carry, such as dealing with marriage, which can be stressful from time to time. Other burdens may be heaped upon us from outside sources, such as work and although we would like to be able to get rid of these burdens, it is not always going to be practical for us to do so. Still a third type of burden is one that we tend to put on ourselves, unnecessary pressure because of wanting to do something but not realizing that it was going to add so much stress to our lives.
There are three general categories that we can put these different burdens into, as was discussed in the previous paragraph. The burdens that we want to have and the ones that are necessary are the ones that we have to stick with, at least for now. It is the other burdens, the ones that we can change that we really need to focus on. The problem is, it can be difficult and stressful for us to get rid of those burdens as well.
The best way for you to be able to make these changes that are going to reduce your stress is to do so one at a time. Even though you may have the big picture in front of you, you still need to look at smaller pieces of the picture as to what you were going to change. With each burden that you remove from your life, you will feel a relief and will be much easier for you to tackle the next one that needs removed.
Alternative healing and therapy has always been of great interest to me and I enjoy learning about all the various methods and treatments available out there. Today I would like to look at acupressure.
Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine, and it can also include acupuncture, herbal therapy and other Chinese methods. The main goal of using acupressure is to balance chi, which is another word for the flow of life energy that flows through the body.
Life energy or chi flows along specific paths in the body called meridians which are like roads. The energy travels along these paths to get to the body's major organs and systems like the lungs, liver and heart. When the chi flows freely along the meridians, we are healthy, but if there is a blockage, then there is normally disease present.
Using acupressure, it is possible to alter the flow of chi. This is done by pressing and rubbing points on the skin called acupoints, which are located along the body's meridians. This pressing and rubbing helps to restore the free flow of chi, not only to the blocked areas, but also within the organs that are controlled by those meridians. The difference with acupuncture is that needles are used to stimulate the acupoints instead of the fingers.
Acupressure is considered to be very effective in treating the soft tissue, like muscles, tendons and ligaments. Acupressure also helps problems like arthritis, joint pain, back pain and also some gynecological problems.
Because acupressure isn't invasive at all, it is considered a very safe form of healing for most conditions. There are however a few precautions and conditions that shouldn't be treated with acupressure.
Acupressure shouldn't be administered on or near any cancerous tumors, as stimulating acupoints there can cause cancer cells to spread in the bloodstream. This therapy should also not be used on any wounds, sores or ulcers. Prolapsed and varicose veins should also be left well alone.
Women who are pregnant should also not have acupressure as pushing on certain points can stimulate uterine contractions. People who have had strokes within the last thirty days should also avoid this type of therapy, as certain acupoints can trigger brain activity that may cause more damage.
If you have any serious medical conditions, rather seek a doctors advice first before using acupressure. Acupressure should never be the only treatment for any serious disease, but rather be used as a supporting therapy to aid in faster recovery.
Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine, and it can also include acupuncture, herbal therapy and other Chinese methods. The main goal of using acupressure is to balance chi, which is another word for the flow of life energy that flows through the body.
Life energy or chi flows along specific paths in the body called meridians which are like roads. The energy travels along these paths to get to the body's major organs and systems like the lungs, liver and heart. When the chi flows freely along the meridians, we are healthy, but if there is a blockage, then there is normally disease present.
Using acupressure, it is possible to alter the flow of chi. This is done by pressing and rubbing points on the skin called acupoints, which are located along the body's meridians. This pressing and rubbing helps to restore the free flow of chi, not only to the blocked areas, but also within the organs that are controlled by those meridians. The difference with acupuncture is that needles are used to stimulate the acupoints instead of the fingers.
Acupressure is considered to be very effective in treating the soft tissue, like muscles, tendons and ligaments. Acupressure also helps problems like arthritis, joint pain, back pain and also some gynecological problems.
Because acupressure isn't invasive at all, it is considered a very safe form of healing for most conditions. There are however a few precautions and conditions that shouldn't be treated with acupressure.
Acupressure shouldn't be administered on or near any cancerous tumors, as stimulating acupoints there can cause cancer cells to spread in the bloodstream. This therapy should also not be used on any wounds, sores or ulcers. Prolapsed and varicose veins should also be left well alone.
Women who are pregnant should also not have acupressure as pushing on certain points can stimulate uterine contractions. People who have had strokes within the last thirty days should also avoid this type of therapy, as certain acupoints can trigger brain activity that may cause more damage.
If you have any serious medical conditions, rather seek a doctors advice first before using acupressure. Acupressure should never be the only treatment for any serious disease, but rather be used as a supporting therapy to aid in faster recovery.
