Acupressure Treatment Offers Natural Healing And Pain Relief

By Paulette Short


Acupressure treatment is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice which is similar to acupuncture, only instead of needles it uses manual pressure. It is based on the belief that the body possesses several individual channels known as "meridians" which energy or "Qi" flows through. Each of these pathways is associated with a specific organ which can be affected by stimulating points along these meridians.

Numerous studies have demonstrated how effective this method is for healing and relieving pain. It affects the body by increasing blood flow and reducing muscle tension and the mind by promoting inner peace and increasing energy. It is considered a holistic approach since it has an impact on the whole person.

These energy meridians run throughout the body from the head to the heels and serve the purpose of connect the body's exterior to its interior. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that there are 800 pressure points located along these channels. Western medicine generally does not acknowledge acupressure, however it does agree that these identified points do coincide with the confirmed locations of many autonomic nervous junctions.

Acupressure is applied by means of the practitioner's hands, elbows, feet, or special tools made for this use including the energy roller, acuball, and foot roller. The patient will usually stay for one hour-long session at a time, but will ultimately require several in order to experience the best results. Drinking warm water after is recommended as this helps eliminate toxins.

The goal of this therapy is to restore the body's balance of yin and yang energy (positive and negative) forces. Even though there is an ever-growing body of evidence which supports the efficacy of it as a curative and analgesic technique, Western medicine continues for the most part to attribute these findings to the release of endorphins and such rather than accrediting it to the practice of acupressure therapy.

When patients undergo this therapy at the onset of pain, it can actually correct any imbalance responsible for this and prevent it from developing into a more serious disorder. It isn't complicated or difficult for anyone to learn and apply as needed for problems such as headaches, sinus trouble, eyestrain, muscle and back aches, arthritis, and neck pain. The fact that it has a de-stressing effect can also increase one's resistance to disease.

It has been proven that pressure applied to the wrist helps prevent nausea and vomiting which occurs as a result of chemotherapy or motion sickness. A special type of wristband is sold for this purpose which continuously applies pressure to this point. Other research suggests this technique is also an effective way to alleviate headaches, arthritis pain, depression, and anxiety, most likely due to the high level of endorphins it stimulates the release of.

Overall there is no risk associated with acupressure treatment, although it may not be suitable for those who have been diagnosed with cancer, a spinal injury, varicose veins, or rheumatoid arthritis, these patients should first check with their doctor. It can also cause contractions in some pregnant women, who are better off waiting until after they deliver. Patients must make sure that only a certified and licensed practitioner performs this procedure.




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