Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to
press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the
body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are
pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the
circulation of blood and the body's life force (sometimes known
as qi or chi) to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use
the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while
acupressure uses the gentle, but firm pressure of hands (and
even feet). There is a large amount of scientific data
demonstrating why and how acupuncture is effective. But
acupressure, the older of the two traditions, was neglected
after the Chinese developed more technical methods for
stimulating points with needles and electricity. Acupressure,
however, continues to be the most effective method for
self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power
and sensitivity of the human hand. Foremost among the advantages
of acupressure's healing touch is that it is safe to do on
yourself and others - even if you've never done it before - so
long as you follow the instructions and pay attention to the
cautions. The only equipment needed are your own two hands. You
can practice acupressure therapy any time, anywhere. Acupressure
can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eye strain, sinus
problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, tension
due to stress, ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower backaches,
constipation and indigestion. Self-acupressure can also be used
to relieve anxiety and get better sleep at night. There are also
great advantages to using acupressure as a way to balance the
body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure
reduces tension, increases circulation and enables the body to
relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens
resistance to disease and promotes wellness. In acupressure,
local symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of
the body as a whole. A tension headache, for instance, may be
rooted in the shoulder and neck area. Thus, acupressure focuses
on relieving pain and discomfort, as well as responding to
tension before it develops into a disease - before the
constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. The origins
of acupressure are as ancient as the instinctive impulse to hold
your forehead or temples when you have a headache. Everyone at
one time or another has used their hands spontaneously to hold
tense or painful places on the body. More than 5,000 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 the pressure point.
Gradually, they found other locations that not only alleviated
pain, but also influenced the functioning of certain internal
organs. (Definition in part from the book Acupressure's Potent
Points, by Michael Reed Gach, director of the Acupressure
Institute.)