What is Acupressure?
Have you ever seen an acupuncture treatment on television? Does just the sight of those long needles being thrust into a body make you wince? If you are experiencing pain, and would love to have the relief possible with acupuncture, but fear the needles, you need to ask, “What is Acupressure?”
Acupressure is closely related to acupuncture. It uses the same theories, meridian points, and provides very similar relief. They are both based upon restoring the bodies proper energy flow, helping the body to reach the proper balance, and allowing pain and physical conditions to heal themselves naturally. Acupressure can be used to block the feeling of pain temporarily in much the same way as acupuncture.
Where can you find acupressure treatments? Normally in many of the same places you may find acupuncture. Many chiropractors have taken training in one or both forms to give their patients more options, and themselves more techniques to solve physical problems. Chiropractors are well know for extending their skills with other forms of massage, pain relief, and eastern teachings. They understand it is not only the spine which can cause physical problems, but can extend through the nerve and energy systems of the entire body.
You can find some massage therapists who are trained in acupressure, too. These massage specialists are often the ones trained in Eastern forms of massage like Shiatsu, Thai massage, and others. By doing a little looking around in your community you will likely find several massage specialists who also are trained in acupressure.
Of course there is one place you may want to look first. There are therapists who specialize in only the practice of acupuncture and acupressure. It is their only job, and the passion of their lives. They have studied it more thoroughly, and use their skills many times per day. If you have someone in your community who specializes in the practice, they will be your best choice. Their continued practice and study gives them more insight into the human anatomy as concerned with acupressure, allowing them to be even more effective.
How effective can acupressure or acupuncture be? There have been cases of surgical procedures being performed where the only form of pain relief was the use of acupuncture. While acupressure may not be quite as effective in a severe case like this, in most normal cases it is highly effective, and the perfect solution for someone wanting to avoid needles.
Can you learn about acupressure points and techniques on your own? You could buy a book or other training material and try the techniques on a family member. Just keep in mind the techniques and methods are only as effective as your total understanding of the human body, the energy meridians, and the amount of practice you have. Trained professionals have learned from other experts and usually have hundreds, if not thousands of hours of practice and study to perfect their art. It can be fun learning on your own, just don’t expect the results you would get from a professional.
Acupressure seems quite similar to acupuncture, except without the use of needles.
I’m not really fond of needles so acupressure is more suitable for me.