ACUPRESSURE / REFLEXOLOGY

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points('energy centers' , also called 'acupoints') on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. These energy centers or acupoints are found on energy 'pathways' called meridians (carrying the energy chi). When these acupressure points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupressure treats the body as an energy system and works to relieve person’s individual symptoms by identifying and releasing 'blocked', or 'congested' energy centers in the body.

It stimulates and activates the body’s own energies to help fight illness and restore harmony. Energy (known as Chi or Qi) flows most freely when you touch, press, hold, or massage acupressure points. These healing pressure points are the gateways to the body's life energy force, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

What is the Purpose of Acupressure?

The purpose of acupressure is to stimulate and activate the body's own healing powers by stimulating the various points on the body. The stimulation removes energy blockages by mobilizing and neutralizing the toxic build up that accumulates in the muscle tissue. The accumulation of toxins causes stiffness throughout the body. Stiffness in muscles puts abnormal pressure on nerves, and blood and lymph vessels. The pressure on blood and lymph vessels affects both skeletal systems and the organ systems, thus disturbing their normal rhythm and thereby bringing imbalance in the body.

Acupressure can be used to treat people on a 'spiritual' level. This is best explained in 'normal' treatment terms as using the therapy on an energetic level - to help people to feel more 'purposeful' and, perhaps, 'less vulnerable'.

Method

Acupressure Points on the body are generally massaged using finger or thumb, and sometimes with a blunt object, in a fairly rapid circular motion with a medium pressure. Varying rhythms, pressures, and techniques create different styles of acupressure. Shiatsu, for instance, the most well-known style of acupressure, can be quite vigorous, with firm pressure applied to each point for only three to five seconds, while the Jin Shin style of acupressure gently holds each point for a minute or more.

Object of Pressure application

Fingers, hands, elbows, knees and feet apart form wooden blunt object or special gadgets made for the special purpose are often used to give acupressure points to other parts of the body.

Body Position

Acupressure can be performed sitting, standing or lying down.

Benefits of Using Acupressure

• Relieving pain
• Balancing the body
• Maintaining good health.
• Acupressure's healing touch reduces tension
• Increases blood and fluid circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply.
• By relieving stress, acupressure therapy strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.
• Acupressure can help alleviate ailments such as tension, stress, aches and pains, arthritis or menstrual cramps.
• Acupressure can also be used for general preventative health care.
• Migraines, insomnia, depression, toothache, dizziness, muscular tension, menstrual pain, digestive problems, constipation, morning sickness, stress, poor memory, poor concentration are some of the problems which are being helped by acupressure therapy.

Contraindications

• During pregnancy special care is to be taken by the practitioner to not stimulate the reproductive organ points and other such points which might induce early labor pains.
• In high fever or diarrhea, acupressure is not practiced.
• During menstruation strong pressure is avoided.