Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that utilizes the principles of Chinese medicine. In acupressure, the same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger pressure instead of with the insertion of needles. Acupressure is used to relieve a variety of symptoms and pain. Acupressure is offered at Rē as both a session length modality, and can be easily integrated into a session of Therapeutic Massage.
What is Acupressure?
One of the oldest text of Chinese medicine is the Huang Did, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, which is estimated at approximately 2,000 years old. Chinese medicine has developed acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies, diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other remedies as part of its healing methods. Nearly all of the forms of Oriental medicine that are used in the West today, (acupressure, shiatsu, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine) have their roots in Chinese medicine. One legend has it that acupuncture and acupressure evolved as early Chinese healers studied the puncture wounds of Chinese warriors, noting that certain points on the body created interesting results when stimulated. The oldest known text specifically on acupuncture points, the Systematic Classic of Acupuncture, dates back to 282 A.D. Acupressure is the non-invasive form of acupuncture, as Chinese physicians determined that stimulating points on the body with massage and pressure could be just as effective for treating certain problems.
Outside of Asian-American communities, Chinese medicine remained virtually unknown in the United States until the 1970s, when Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit China. On Nixon's trip, journalists were amazed to observe major operations being performed on patients without the use of anesthetics. Instead, wide-awake patients were being operated on, with only acupuncture needles inserted into them to control pain. At that time, a famous columnist for the New York Times, James Reston, had to undergo surgery and elected to use acupuncture for anesthesia. Later, he wrote some convincing stories on its effectiveness. Despite being neglected by mainstream medicine and the American Medical Association (AMA), acupuncture and Chinese medicine became a central to alternative medicine practitioners in the United States. Today, there are millions of patients who attest to its effectiveness, and over 9,000 practitioners in all 50 states.
Acupressure is practiced as a treatment by Chinese medicine practitioners, as well as by massage therapists. Shiatsu massage is very closely related to acupressure, working with the same points on the body and the same general principles, although it was developed over centuries in Japan rather than in China. Jin Shin Do is a bodywork technique with an increasing number of practitioners in America that combines acupressure and shiatsu principles with qigong, Reichian theory, and meditation.
What can Acupressure do?
Acupressure performed by a therapist can be very effective both as prevention and as a treatment for many health conditions, including headaches, general aches and pains, colds and flu, arthritis, allergies, asthma, nervous tension, menstrual cramps, sinus problems, sprains, tennis elbow, and toothaches, among others. Acupressure points can also be stimulated to increase energy and feelings of well-being, reduce stress, and stimulate the immune system.
Why shouldn't I use Acupressure?
Acupressure is a safe technique, but it is not meant to replace professional health care. A physician should always be consulted when there are doubts about medical conditions. If a condition is chronic, a professional should be consulted; purely symptomatic treatment can aggravate chronic conditions. Acupressure should not be applied to open wounds, or where there is swelling and inflammation. Areas of scar tissue, blisters, boils, rashes, or varicose veins should be avoided. Finally, certain acupressure points should not be stimulated on people with high or low blood pressure and on pregnant women.
After the session:
Because acupressure treatments may lower the body temperature, making it more vulnerable to cold, it is important for clients to wear clothing and keep warm afterward.
Since acupressure may provide only temporary relief, the massage therapist may show each client how to self-treat themselves between sessions. Clients and family members can learn how to address the acupressure points. Relief is said to last longer as the body comes into its balance point and maintains energy flow over time with repeated treatments. But also in some cases, one acupressure treatment does attend to the problem sufficiently.
