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What is Acupressure ?

Acupressure is a traditional chines medicines (TCM) practice that involves treating blocked energy, by applying manual pressure to specific points on the body. It is similar to Acupuncture, except that it uses fingertip pressure instead of needles.

By improving energy flow, acupressure is said to help with a range of conditions, from motion sickness to headache to muscle pain.

Benefits of Acupressure:

Acupressure can be very effective in helping with nausea and vomiting after surgery or invasive medical procedures. Acupressure can also help in reducing the pain.

There has not been a lot of research done to document the benefits of acupressure, although there has been some. According to the National Cancer Institute, several small studies have shown that acupressure has helped cancer patients by reducing cancer-related fatigue and nausea. Many patients report acupressure has also helped with pain, stress and anxiety but there has not been research done specifically with cancer patients documenting these results.

Acupressure improving by energy flow, acupressure is said to help with a range of conditions, from motion sickness to headache to muscle pain.

What conditions does acupressure treat?

Some conditions that benefit from acupressure include back pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, stress and tension, feelings of melancholy, and immune system deficiencies. Studies have shown that certain types of pain are linked with feelings of anxiety and worry.

Although acupressure is not age-restrictive, people with high blood pressure and pregnant women should refrain from acupressure therapy. There are specific acupressure points that can cause miscarriage. Acupressure is not used to treat open wounds, scar tissue, varicose veins, or areas of inflammation or swelling. These problems can be treated in other ways utilizing TCM therapies (ie, herbs, oils).

Often back and joint pain is simply caused by poor posture. The neck is especially susceptible due to head and neck range of motion. Trauma can lead to soft tissue damage. Certain acupoints between the cervical spine (neck) and the top of the shoulder when treated with acupressure relieve pain. When the flow of blood is enhanced, toxins are flushed away, and oxygen and healing nutrients are provided.

A practitioner applies pressure to specific acupressure points to restore healthy energy flow. The points they choose depends on your symptoms.

Given how meridians run, pressure points used may be a long way from the site of the symptom. For example, an acupressure point on the foot may be used to relieve a headache.