Acupressure is an age old therapy, particularly practiced as an alternative treatment modality. It is often confused with acupuncture, but in fact these two are different therapies and both have their own benefits. Acupressure is also called as accupunture without needles and is well-known for various health benefits. This article deals with how acupressure can benefit you?
How Acupressure Can Benefit You?
Are you wondering as to how acupressure can benefit you? There are many ways in which it offers various benefits. It is important to know the uses, precautions to be taken and the correct ways of performing the technique of acupressure.
The technique of acupressure is quite similar to the technique of acupuncture. The difference between both is that acupuncture is done with the help of needles while acupressure consists of applying manual pressure to some specific points of the body. Acupressure is more useful in those looking for alternative treatment options for treating chronic problems or medical conditions like chronic fatigue, headaches, bodyache, neck and back pain, muscle tension and stiffness. Once you get to know how acupressure can benefit you, you can discuss yor concerns and use of acupressure with your doctor.
What is Acupressure?
In dictionaries, acupressure is defined as “A form of touch therapy that utilizes the principles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In acupressure same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger pressure instead of with the insertion of needles. Acupressure is used to relieve a variety of symptoms and pain.”
Acupressure therapy is known as the ancient therapy and based on the principles of Chinese Traditional Medicine in which no medication is used to treat the conditions. The treatment works on a very simple pressure point concepts and principle for energy flow. The human body consists of 14 invisible lines known as meridians. These meridians interconnect the body organs. The points of acupressure and acupuncture are somewhere on those meridians. It is believed that if flow of energy gets blocked at some point on these meridians, it can lead to several health problems. This is where acupressure can benefit you and help to release the trapped energy. The pressure points on the body, which are often a result of blocked energy are used to cure different pains in acupressure.
In acupressure, fingers are used to apply pressure on some specific points to stimulate, balance and disperse the flow of energy in a human body. In this process the nerves are pressed by the professionals to relive a person from pain and treat different unhealthy, degenerative and acute conditions of the body.
The main ways which acupressure can benefit you include treating or managing chronic conditions, improving immunity and in preventing cold and flu. Acupresure can benefit you if you often suffer from headaches, toothache, muscle weakness, sprains, body pain and menstrual cramps. It is also useful in people suffering from arthritis or other joint problems, nervous disorders, sinus problems, allergies, asthma or other lifestyle disorders.
As acupressure can benefit you in various ways, here are the conditions in which acupressure can be useful.
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and morning sickness
- Nausea or vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy
- Motion sickness
- Muscle tension and pain
- Weight loss management
- Constipation
- Stress management
- Anxiety
- Emotional healing
- Manageing diabetes
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
How is Acupresure Therapy Done?
Acupressure points can be invigorated to expand vitality and sentiments of prosperity, reduce stress, strengthen the immune system and also helps in alleviating the sexual dysfunction too. While these are the various ways in which acupressure can benefit you, it is also necessary to know the way in which this therapy is performed.
The professionals make use of their palms, fingers, elbows as well as feet, along with some special devices that can create pressure on the meridians of body. In some severe cases stretching or acupressure massage is used to get relieve from pain. While undergoing the different sessions of acupressure session, the patient lie down on table for soft massage. In one hour session the professional presses the acupressure point gently for best results.
As studies have proved that pressing certain acupoints helps the brain to release more endorphins. It has been proved scientifically that the acupressure works in several areas such as take care of energy fields and balance emotions, mind and spirit.
Common Acupuncture Points:
Large intestine 4 (LI 4):
The soft point is between thumb and forefinger
Liver 3 (LR-3):
Positioned on the top of your foot in-between the gap of your big toe to next one
Spleen 6 (SP-6):
In this the practitioners focus on three finger widths which is at above of your inner anklebone
Are There Any Side Effects or Limitations of Acupressure Therapy?
Acupressure is the traditional Chinese medicine which includes touch therapy to adjust the body’s vitality flow. It requires an application or effort of pressure on certain acu points in the body.
There are certain side effects and limitations of acupressure like
Miscarriages – Acupressure can pose a risk of miscarriages in some cases. Stimulating the pressure points in pregnancy is dangerous for the mother and also for the child. Hence, whether to practice acupressure in pregnancy or not must be discussed with your doctor and an acupressure expert.
Moderate Effect of Treatment – Not exactly a side effect, but one of the limitations of this therapy is that it doesn’t permit the treatment of various pressure points together. In the case that it is utilized for a severe sickness, it can take a considerable measure of time.
Not An Effective For All – Another shortcoming of this therapy is that it can’t be utilized for all medical conditions. Disorders of the heart, kidney, cerebrum, and liver must receive medical management. It is worth using acupressure therapy in combination with medical treatment for certain severe problems, if found appropriate to get the desired results.
Certain limitations involve that people having a cracked bone, active infections, high fever or cold and flu, patients with loose bowels can not to go for this treatment. It is less viable in delicate acupoints, for example, stomach. And it is also not an ideal choice for osteoporosis patients.
However acupressure has many health benefits and now that you know how acupressure can benefit you, it can be planned for treating your condition, under the guidance of an acupressure therapies.
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