Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press potent points on the whole body surface. It works by stimulating the body’s self-curative abilities. Acupressure mainly focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a disease. When the key points of the body are pressed they promote the circulation of the blood and release muscular tension. In acupressure it is said that pain is the cry of hungry nerve for the want of better blood supply.

Acupuncture and acupressure uses the same points but acupuncture employs needle while acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of fingers of hand and some modern scientific devices. Acupressure the older of two tradition was neglected after the Chinese developed more technological methods for stimulating points with the needles and electricity. However, acupressure continues to be the most effective method for self-treatment of tension and other related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand.

The main advantage of acupressure healing touch is that it is safe to do on one self as well as on others, even if it is never done before, provided the instructions are followed and cautions are kept in mind. There are no side effects from drugs because there are no drugs and the basic equipment needed for it are individual own two hands. Thus acupressure therapy can be practised anywhere and anytime.

Histroy About Acupressure Treatment

The origin of the acupressure are as ancient as the instinctive impulses to hold one’s forehead or temples when he suffers from headache. Everyone at one time or another has used his or her hands spontaneously to hold tense or painful places on the body.

More than 5000 years ago the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body relieved pain where it occurred and also benefited other parts of the body more remote from the pain and pressure points. Gradually other locations were found that not only relieved pain but also influenced the functioning of certain internal organs. In the Indian book of Ayurveda about 1800 B.C there is an indication about the message & acupressure being used for the purpose of healing.

How does Acupressure Treatments Works ?

Acupressure points or potent points are places on the skin which are very sensitive to bioelectrical impulses in the body and conduct those impulses readily. Traditionally, Asian cultures conceived of the points as junctures of special pathways that carried the human energy which the Chienese called ‘chi’ the Japanese called ‘Ki’ and Indian called ‘Prana Urja’. When the Acupressure points are stimulated with pressure, it triggers the release of ‘endorphins’ which are the neuro chemical that relieve pain. As a result, pain is blocked and the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area increased. This causes the muscles to relax and thus promotes healing.

Acupressure inhibits the pain signals sent to the brain through a mind fairly painless stimulation, thereby preventing painful sensations from passing through the spinal cord to the brain. Besides relieving pain, Acupressure can help rebalance the body by dissolving tensions and stress that keeps it from functioning smoothly and that it inhibit the immune system. Acupressure enables the body to adapt to environment changes and rest illness. As a point is pressed, the muscles tension yields to the finger pressure enabling the fibres to elongate and relax, blood to flow freely, and toxins to be released and eliminated. Increased circulation also brings more oxygen and other nutrients to the affected areas. This increase the body’s resistance to illness and promotes a longer, healthier and more vital life. When the blood and bio electrical energy circulates properly, an individual feels a sense of harmony, health and well-being.

An Acupressure points has two identities. When a point is stimulated in the area where pain or tension is felt is called a local point. That same point of pain can also be relieved from a distant point in the part of body which is called a trigger point. This triggering mechanism works through a human electrical channel called meridian. The meridian are the path way that connect the acupressure points to each other as well as to the internal organs. Just as blood vessels carry the blood that nourishes the body physically, the meridian are distinct channels that circulate electrical energy throughout the body. They are brought to be a part of master communication system of universal life energy, connecting the organs with all sensory physiological and emotional aspects of the body. This physical network of energy also contains key points that one can use to deepen one’s spiritual awareness as he heals himself. As the stimulation of one point can send a healing message to other parts of the body, each acupressure point can benefit a variety of complaints and symptoms. There are certain tonic points on the body surface which when stimulated improves one’s condition and maintains general health. They strengthen the overall body system and fortify various internal organs and vital system of the body.