Acupressure
by Krysta CardinaleAcupressure, or Chinese acupressure, is the art of using fingers and thumbs to apply pressure onto specific points on the body. These acupressure points run along channels or meridians, which the Chinese describe as the life force channel. The Chinese believe that our energy, or the Chi, is the most important thing we need to stimulate in order to create a harmonious flow throughout our body. The energy they are talking about is very similar to what you would see on a heart monitor in the hospital. Acupuncture, acupressure, and shiatsu are all slightly different, but work on the same system using traditional Chinese medicine. All of these particular practices believe the theory that you can actually treat the energy, or Chi, in the body by using specific points with finger and thumb pressure or very fine needles to stimulate it.
Basic Acupressure Instructions
Before performing acupuncture, acupressure, or shiatsu, stretching exercises should be done to open up the channel to access the energy.
There are three basic ways that you can treat the acupressure points. They are calming, dispersing, and tonifying. For instance, if your immune system was really low you would want to tonify the points. This would boost up your immunity or your energy levels. If you had a tension headache you would want to disperse the acupressure points to clear the energy that was being blocked. If you were experiencing anxiety or stress than a calming technique just returns the whole body and system to a harmonious state.
Some acupressure points are actually easier to do in a sitting position. Before following any other acupressure instructions you should make sure the receiver is comfortable and the pressure is not too strong. If the area is a little sore you can just use the palm of your hand. All you have to do is gently rotate around that sore point dispersing the stagnant Chi that is blocked. When that feels softer you can release the point and move on.
Unless the acupressure point is on a central line you always work on both sides of it. An exception to this would be if an injury existed on one side. In this case you would only work on the injury-free side. You must remember to always work away from the area of pain, injury, swelling, and inflammation.
When performing Chinese acupressure focusing on one point will not be enough to relieve you or your receiver of any discomfort. The combination of several points would really help this and clear the energy channel.
Examples of Acupressure
Although some consider it a form of holistic healing, Chinese acupressure has actually been proven in helping certain health problems. By focusing on certain points and following acupressure instructions, it has been proven to cure such problems as headaches and nausea.
• For Headaches- Apply pressure to the point “large intestine 4.” This is located on the palm of the hand at the end of the crease that forms between the index finger and the thumb.
• For Nausea- Apply pressure to the points “pericardium 6.” These acupressure points are found on the inside of either wrist. They are in the middle of two tendons, about three finger widths up from the bottom crease in either wrist.
Whether acupuncture, acupressure, or shiatsu methods really work it is yet to be completely proved. There are studies that favor applying pressure to relieve stress, but isn’t that just a good massage rather than some medical therapy? This ancient art of healing is said to be able to alleviate arthritis, spinal and muscular pain, sinus problems, and fatigue in addition to the already mentioned, nausea and headaches. In the end, the goal of acupressure is to be a healing therapy for the mind, body, and spirit.
