Acupressure is a derivative of Chinese acupuncture. Acupressure is also commonly called acupuncture without needles. As opposed to inserting needles into the skin, acupressure utilizes the application of hand-held manual pressure (most typically with the fingers) to certain targeted points on your body. Acupressure and acupuncture frequently lie along these same meridians, meaning even when administered by different acupuncturists, the results can be similar.
Acupressure works on the principle that the meridians are connected by numerous pathways within the body, with every path corresponding to a particular organ or gland. When you get a massage, acupressure helps to break through these pathways and release anxiety or other toxins tied into the muscle tissue. By releasing the tension that’s been built up in the meridian, the organ or gland is better able to function. Acupressure also has other health benefits. Not only helps to relieve muscle tension and revive the body’s ability to heal itself, but in addition, it promotes blood circulation, stimulates the nervous system, improves mood, and reduces pain.
In this short article, we will explore the science behind acupressure, in addition to its key components, and how they help to target particular pressure points and release tension in the body, assisting you to relieve pain. First, let’s discuss what acupressure is not. Acupressure doesn’t utilize needles to deliver acupressure; rather, acupressure techniques involve using the thumb, index finger, or other appropriate finger, to apply pressure to specific acupressure point locations. This technique provides the same advantage of reducing muscle strain as acupuncture, without the necessity of inserting needles into your skin!
Acupressure can be used in conjunction with traditional reflexology techniques. Acupressure Reflexology Therapy is an extremely complimentary therapy which allows practitioners to find and treat acupressure reflex points along with other important regions of the human body. It is often used together with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine for the purposes of healing and relieving pain. As an example, Chinese medicine uses acupressure to stimulate the release of energy, such as qi or chi, throughout the entire body; Western medicine uses reflexology pressure points to help improve the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
The key advantage of acupressure over other kinds of treatment is that it releases energy that was built up in the muscles, and/or tissues, associated with pain or distress. Because the hands aren’t used during the process, there is no danger of accidentally touching or cutting the acupressure point. Because there is no need to move the hand away from the strain point after being aroused, no injury is experienced by either the patient or the therapist. Traditional reflexology techniques involve using the fingers or pliers to”tense” certain regions of the body; the acupressure technique has no such requirement.
Acupressure also helps to relieve pain, particularly chronic pain (which does not respond to medications), since it stimulates the release of natural opiate chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins work to decrease the symptoms of pain by blocking pain receptors on pain-producing cells in the brain and reducing the number of receptors. This reduces the amount of cellular death in the region, allowing the pain signals to be decreased or blocked entirely. The decrease in cellular death reduces inflammation in the region and therefore enhances the quality of life.
Acupressure has been broadly known as an effective complementary treatment for both chronic and acute lower back pain, neck pain, migraine headaches, sinus infections, and even some types of acne. Acupressure strokes the meridian energy flow in the body, allowing nutrients to enter the meridian channels to nourish the cells, blood flow, and organs. When enough nutrients are obtained, they can replenish themselves without having to go through the digestive process. When you feel better because of a regular massage, it’s very likely your body is getting the nutrition it needs to cure itself.
Acupressure has also been proven to improve cellular exchange, allowing the blood to carry more oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. It can improve blood flow as well. As stated earlier, acupressure increases cellular market by stimulating the release of endorphins, which then reduce cellular decay. This makes it less necessary for the immune system to fight off infection. This can lead to a reduction in medication dosage and an overall sense of better health.