Intense Wellness
Show MenuHide Menu

Learning the Techniques of Acupressure

Acupressure is a very practical and convenient form of massage therapy. It is very easy to learn and once learned, you can give yourself and others a great massage to alleviate tension headaches, stress, muscle aches and pain in order to foster well-being and peace.

Acupuncture is a healing therapy that originated in Asia some 5,000 years ago. It involves the use of the hands and fingers to compress key areas on the surface of the skin to accelerate healing in the body. It works on the same principles followed in acupuncture, and relies on finger pressure (as opposed to needles, in acupuncture) on predetermined pressure points on the body. Acupressure is a means to gain entry into congested or obstructed energy channels in the body and to eliminate that obstruction or congestion in order to restore the smooth flow of blood and energy. While it is not intended to be a replacement for medical care, acupressure can be an ideal form of adjunctive treatment. It can also be used as a preventative measure as well as for the treatment of fatigue. You will notice results very quickly, usually within a single to a couple two contractions, once you learn to apply the various acupressure techniques. Acupressure is associated with the very popular Shiatsu, which is a Japanese form of acupressure massage therapy. This type of massage is extremely nourishing, soothing, healing, and profoundly relaxing but gentle to the muscles, nerves, blood, tissues, and bones. It can restore or maintain hormonal balance and can benefit the entire body. When you learn acupressure, you will know what points to use that should elicit the proper healing response for the condition you want to treat.

The Pressure Points and How to Use Them in Acupressure

In acupressure, you use your thumb or fingers, or sometimes a blunt object, to massage the pressure points on the body. The massage is administered in relatively quick circular motion with mild pressure. According to Chinese medicine, the acupoints are believed to be junctures of energy channels where life energy known as chi flows. Western medical researchers have been able to map out and have actually proven the reality of these points with the use of electrical devices. Some points are more general in their effect while others are major points as they’re associated with a specific part of the body. The aim of acupressure therapy is to trigger the self-recuperative powers of the body via the stimulation of predetermined acupoints. When these acupoints are pressed, they increase blood flow and relieve muscle tension in the site of treatment that leads to healing. Both acupressure and acupuncture utilize the same acupoints, although in acupuncture treatment in Jacksonville, needles are employed, while firm but gentle manual (hand) or even feet pressure is used in acupressure. Acupressure is a practice that came earlier than acupuncture although it was somewhat abandoned by the Chinese after they developed better technological methods (needles and electricity) to stimulate the points.

Acupressure Massage

An acupressure massage therapy may last for five to fifteen minutes. Every acupoint is massaged until a feeling of numbness sets in the site of treatment. This massage therapy activates and stimulates the natural bioelectrical energy of the body to restore harmony and to cure illness. Hands, feet, fingers, knees, and elbows are commonly used to massage various parts of the body. In every instance, acupressure massage methods are utilized in combination with other relevant medical care. Sports massage is now a common way to help tune up athletes before and during and even after sporting events.

Learning the Techniques of Acupressure In Order to Heal Others

Acupressure’s healing touch enables the body to relax deeply, enhances blood flow, and alleviates tension. This fosters recuperation and causes the muscles to relax. For example, once it has been set acupressure can, accelerate the healing of a broken bone. It can also be used by cancer patients to relieve the anxiety and pain related to the disease. Each acupoint can bring about healing for a number of symptoms and complaints because the stimulation of a single point can transmit a healing signal to other parts of the body.