Introduction to Acupressure
An ancient healing practice that accesses the body’s subtle energy layers to let health and well-being flow is called Acupressure Therapy.
The science behind this healing technique dates back to more than 2000 years. The instinct or desire to soothe the pain in your body with touch is the essence of Acupressure.
There are particular points on the body that, when used in specific combinations, could treat a wide range of disorders and diseases. While acupressure is the technique of using fingers to stimulate these pressure points to treat patients, the acupuncture technique stimulates these points using needles.
History of Acupressure
The earliest record of the theory and principles of acupressure was written in China and can be found in the ‘Yellow Emperors Book of Internal Medicine’. During the period of the Yellow Emperor, Buddhism had started spreading from India to China and further East. Each culture added its flavor to the philosophy and practice of Buddhism which is based on the principles of meditation (Dhyana). Dhyana came to be known in China as ‘Chan’ and later emerged in Japan as ‘Zen’. Having stood the test of time, acupressure is used successfully to treat many diseases and conditions that have perplexed Modern Medicine.
Principle of Acupressure Therapy
Eastern medicine believes that balance is health; imbalance is disease and rebalancing is treatment. Eastern scientists believe that by changing the ‘diet’ and ‘lifestyle’ of an individual with one involving natural herbal or plant products, imbalance in the body can be treated. Acupressure or Acupuncture scientists have identified points on the body that, when stimulated, could increase or decrease 12 sets of interdependent functions, and thereby help in correcting imbalance.
How Acupressure Therapy works?
According to the Dermatome theory, stimulating the bundle of nerves emerging from between the two vertebrae affects all the organs that are supplied by that bundle of nerves. For example, acupressure on either side of the spine at the chest level has beneficial effects on the heart and the lungs, points lower down correct imbalances of the stomach and intestines and so on right down to the tip of the spine.
Treatment using Acupressure Therapy
Acupressure therapy is particularly effective in treating backache, sciatica, knee joint arthritis, COPD and POCD, digestive disorders like acidity and constipation, and asthma. It helps reduce the tension in your shoulders, back, and legs, improving your quality of sleep, digestion, appetite, and ease of movement.
You can perform Acupressure on yourself by practicing a simple technique that requires two lawn tennis balls and a sock. This technique can be used not only to treat the organs in your chest, abdomen and the endocrine glands, but also your arms and legs since it targets the nerves coming out from the spine and supplying the limbs.
Treating yourself to Acupressure therapy, supervised and performed by a trained specialist, will let health and well-being flow through your body. Most importantly, throughout the therapy ensure your pay attention to your body’s signals. Your body understands better is the pressure applied during the therapy is too much or too little and will prevent the occurrence of any harm.
