Developed about 5,000 years ago in China, acupressure involves applying pressure with thumbs and fingertips to the same points on the body stimulated in acupuncture, which uses needles.
How Acupressure Works
Acupressure works on the principle that there are more than 360 "acupoints" all over the body and each has a specific effect on an organ or system, such as the bladder or intestine.
Each of the acupoints is located on one of 14 "meridians," which are the body's energy channels connected to all of its systems. Anything that disturbs the body's energy flow, or chi, in the body can make us ill, but stimulating specific pressure points makes the energy flow freely again.
The Western viewpoint attributes its success to the stimulation of blood flow, which warms and relaxes muscles, and possibly to the release of pain-relieving endorphins.
Acupressure vs. Acupuncture
Acupressure and acupuncture use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands (and even feet). So, for the people with an aversion to needles, there is an option: acupressure. is keeping you from enjoying the benefits of acupuncture, there's a less prickly alternative.
Acupressure and Acupuncture Accepted by Medical Community
There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. But acupressure, the older of the two traditions, was neglected after the Chinese developed more technological methods for stimulating points with needles and electricity.
Acupressure Benefits
Acupressure has also shown to help relieve or reduce many chronic health conditions, including but not limited to:
Arthritis,
Anxiety,
Backaches,
Constipation,
Eyestrain,
Headaches
IBS,
Indigestion,
Insomnia,
Lethargy,
Muscle aches,
Muscle tightness
Menstrual cramps,
Neck pain,
Sinus problems,
Ulcer pain
One of the most important benefits of self-acupressure is stress reduction. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. By focusing on relieving pain, discomfort and stress before it develops into a condition where the constrictions and imbalances cause further damage, acupressure can improve your condition, increase flexibility, improve range of motion, increase energy and improve your overall feeling of wellness.
Acupressure can also improve your general overall well being, by increasing circulation. Increasing the circulation helps the body can rid toxins more effectively. This helps balance the body and maintain good health.
Start Using Acupressure Techniques at Home and Feel Better
Acupressure is safe to do on yourself and others - even if you've never done it before - so long as you follow the instructions and pay attention to the cautions.
When performing acupressure, apply enough pressure to reach what's called a "good ache," that edge between pleasure and pain. If there's muscular pain, push slowly into the muscle. If there's joint pain, press into the indentation between the bones. Do not press hard enough to damage joint or muscle tissue.
Relief can be immediate or it may take intermittent applications for a day or two to get results, so bear that in mind.
Jeff Behar, MS, MBA holds multiple advanced science and business degrees from Rutgers and Cal State Universities. He has been involved in the Health, Fitness, and Nutrition Fields for approx. 30 years in many facets. His qualifications and experience includes:
Well known author, routinely contributing to several health and fitness newsletters, magazines, and many other online health, nutrition, fitness and anti-aging sites, such as MuscleMagFitness.com and MyBestHealthPortal.com..
25 years of Health, Fitness, Diet, Nutrition, and Personal Training experience.
Successful natural bodybuilder, competing at the national level (USA Championships, Team Universe).
Jeff currently oversees several popular on line health and fitness portals and continues to writes for many leading health, fitness and wellness magazines and, on line health, fitness, disease prevention and wellness blogs and websites.
» left by Jay Hopson(973) Jay Hopson (134 days 22 hours ago.)
Thank you Jeff, for this information. I find it intriguing and may study it more. By the way, the second link in your bio here isn't working
This one: MuscleMagFitness.com
Thought you would like to know.I am also intrigued with how you got that bio box on here.. HTML?
Thanks again, Respond to this comment
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