Acupressure and acupuncture are often confused as they sound similar
and acupressure is sometimes referred to as the “needleless
acupuncture”. They are in fact both Chinese forms of healing that
make use of the same points of the body with the difference that
acupuncture inserts needles into the points, and acupressure
stimulates the points using pressure from fingers.

Acupressure is used to stimulate certain points on the body to trigger
the release of endorphins (chemicals produced by the body to relieve
pain). When endorphins are released into the body, not only is pain
blocked, both the flow of blood and oxygen are increased to the
affected area. When this happens the muscles in the area relax which
also promotes the healing process.

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine concept. It is believed
that a single symptom is an expression of the whole body’s condition
and therefore the acupressurist must not only focus on relieving the
symptom of pain, but must look to the source of that pain to truly
help the individual to restore balance. The source may be a shoulder
or neck problem and is really the area in need of healing.

Acupressure not only relieves pain, it can rebalance the body in that
it can lower stress, and strengthen the immune system. It has also
been used to relieve tension in the chest for easier breathing and
also to help pregnant women have quicker less painful deliveries.

There are many advantages as well as disadvantages to acupressure.

Advantages:

Cost effective as there are no special equipment needs

Can be performed anywhere

Self-acupressure is possible to be learned and applied

Safe as long as instructions from a licensed health care professional
are followed

Properly done, acupressure can increase blood circulation, reduce
tension, and allow the muscles of the body to relax and therefore
promoting healing

Disadvantages:

Bruising and discomfort can occur when acupressure is applied too
abruptly or with too much force.

Special care should be taken when applying pressure to points near or
on the abdomen, armpits, throat, or groin areas.

Special care needs to be taken when acupressure is done on pregnant
women or those who have recently suffered scars, burns, infections or
skin lesions.

A licensed health care professional must always be consulted prior to
acupressure.

Acupressure can benefit the body not only because it relieves tension,
but because acupressure can increase circulation which can strengthen
the body’s ability to resist disease.

Acupressure can also help to prevent further deterioration by
increasing mobility of joints.

Acupressure has been used to relieve symptoms such as headaches,
insomnia, depression, toothache, menstrual pain, digestive disorders,
nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, stress and body pain.

The manner in which acupressure is applied is similar to receiving a
massage. The fingers, thumbs and sometimes, blunt objects are used to
massage the points of the body for 5 to 15 minutes. Some of the
techniques used in acupressure involve rubbing, percussion, vibration,
kneading and different body parts are used to do the massage including
fingers, hands, feet, elbows and knees. The acupressure can be
performed while the patient is sitting, lying down or standing.