Acupressure
Acupressure practitioners near you
How can acupressure nourish you?
Closely related to acupuncture, this is a modality that involves using fingertip pressure instead of needles, electric current or laser to stimulate key points along the meridians[1], which are believed to be energy pathways of the body in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupressure therapy is often provided by a trained practitioner, but unlike acupuncture, it can also be self-administered[2].
Acupressure originally evolved as part of traditional Chinese medicine[3]. The term is also more loosely used to describe products that are claimed to possibly have therapeutic benefits and simply rely on applying focused pressure[4] on various parts of the body, but not necessarily on the carefully located pressure points identified in TCM.
As with acupuncture, the traditional answer to the question, “What is acupressure?” involves the concept of qi and the balance of yin and yang within the body. Qi is believed to be life energy that flows through the body and permeates all things, and poor health is said to be caused by blockages or imbalances[5] of qi.
It is said that yin and yang, complementary elemental forces representing feminine and masculine[6] or darkness and brightness, must also be in harmony for optimal health. Acupressure is intended to dissolve blockages of qi, and correct imbalances[7] such as ‘soothing’ overactive qi and restoring adequate flow to areas where qi is ‘weak’.
Shiatsu is a form of acupressure massage based on the same principles, which was developed in Japan[8]. Another modality that involves stimulating key acupressure points with the fingertips is called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)[9], also referred to as ‘tapping therapy’.
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Practitioners offering Acupressure
Benefits of acupressure
The three greatest overall benefits of acupressure are that it is non-invasive, has a low-risk profile[10], and you can perform the treatment yourself. There is evidence to suggest it may provide effective post-operative pain relief, reducing the necessity for opioid-based medications[11] which can have significant side effects. It has been reported that acupressure may decrease the intensity of pain[12] associated with sports injuries.
Research also suggests that acupressure may be an effective, low-risk treatment for insomnia[13], and there is evidence suggesting that it may beneficially reduce heart rate and blood pressure[14] in heart-attack survivors.
The results of a recent study indicate that acupressure may help reduce lower back pain and associated fatigue[15]. Research suggests self-administered acupressure may improve the quality of life after breast cancer treatment[16] by supporting healthy sleep, reducing pain and alleviating psychological problems. Acupressure is also recognised as possibly being an effective treatment for post-operative nausea[17] without the associated risks of pharmaceutical medication.
Acupressure may assist in relieving symptoms related to:
What to expect from an acupressure session
To begin, your acupressure practitioner will ask you about your general health as well as the specific concern that you would like to address. The practitioner will check your pulse at both wrists and devise an acupressure sequence[1] that is intended to restore an optimal flow of qi through your system.
You will not need to remove your clothes, and you will usually be invited to lie on a padded treatment table. Although the practitioner will usually use their fingertips or thumbs to apply pressure, sometimes they might use an elbow, blunt instrument, or other means to stimulate your pressure points. The treatment typically takes about an hour, and some people report feeling a little light-headed afterwards, although this does not persist for very long.
As with any exercise or wellness program, please consult your medical professional before commencing acupressure. Although this is a low-risk modality, caution is advised if you suffer from severe osteoporosis, a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medication. Some pressure points should be avoided if you are or might be pregnant due to a possible risk of miscarriage.
If you have a fracture or other health issue, or any concerns at all, also speak to your acupressure practitioner, who will be happy to advise you whether this modality is suitable for you, and adjust the treatment as needed to suit your requirements.
References
1. What is Acupressure? The Acupressure Centre; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
2. Stressed? Try This Easy 9-Minute Acupressure Exercise Cleveland Clinic; 2014.
3. Acupressure: Concept, Performance, Therapeutic Use, and Scientific Validation. Foundation Health Osteopathy; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
4. Kaplan S. I’ve sworn by this TikTok famous acupressure mat for years — it hurts so good, and doctors say it’s legit. Business Insider; 2022.
5. Home. DocDoc; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
6. Acupressure Points for Balancing Fire and Water. Big Tree Healing; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
7. Acupressure: A Safe Alternative Therapy. Spine Universe; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
8. What is shiatsu? Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
9. How to do the EFT Tapping Basics. The Palace of Possibilities; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
10. Hand pressure points: Everything you need to know.. Medical News Today; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
11. He BJ, Tong PJ, Li J, Jing HT, Yao XM. Auricular acupressure for analgesia in perioperative period of total knee arthroplasty. Pain Medicine; 2013.
12. Mącznik AK, Schneiders AG, Athens J, Sullivan SJ. Does acupressure hit the mark? A Three-Arm randomized Placebo-Controlled trial of acupressure for pain and anxiety relief in athletes with acute musculoskeletal sports injuries Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine; 2016.
13. Esposito M, Carotenuto M, Gallai N, Parisi N, Roccella M. Acupressure therapy for insomnia in adolescents: a polysomnographic study. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment; 2013.
14. Batvani M, Yousefi H, Valiani M, Shahabi J, Mardanparvar H. The effect of acupressure on physiological parameters of myocardial infarction patients: A randomized clinical trial. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research; 2018.
15. Lower back pain? Self-administered acupressure could help ScienceDaily; 2019.
16. Acupressure relieves long-term symptoms of breast cancer treatment. ScienceDaily; 2019.
17. Acupressure: The Evidence Presses On. Integrative Medicine; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
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