Tuesday, May 14, 2013

What are Acupressure Points?



What are acupressure points compared to acupuncture points? Good question, and that’s also a good starting point for our current discussion. Firstly, not all pressure points in both eastern healing modalities are located in the exact same place on the human body, or are of the exact same numbers.
Furthermore, acupressure predates acupuncture by a few thousand years; and could be considered the working foundation for the development of acupuncture, which is also a thoroughly developed study and healing practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine

In general, these ‘pressure points’ are areas of the body that can be touched with applied pressure to relieve pain or discomfort; as well as, to incapacitate your opponent, like in some forms of martial arts; including as well, piercing or penetrating the skin by way of a needle or an electrode, as in acupuncture points.

In eastern medicine, your body is looked upon as an over-all energy field; and, they have skillfully classified the body’s organs and functions into a ‘manifestation and interaction’ of five distinct energy types; these are described as ‘wind’, ‘heat’, ‘humidity’, ‘dryness’ and ‘coldness’.
These energy flows called Qi, move through several ‘energy channels’ which are located all over the body. These pathways are called meridians, and the human body is made up of about 20 of them; according to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). In fact, there are precise points on these meridians through which energies enter and exit the body. It is posited that diseases are a manifestation and a direct result of various energy imbalances within the human body.

Applying direct pressure to these various points relieves the ‘stuck’ or ‘imbalanced’ energy flows, and also brings relief of pain, discomfort, and even disease. But, that’s not all that acupressure points can do for your well being, or to build yourself a better body

They can also help induce labor, lessen the pain of labor, alleviate headaches and migraines; help one stop drinking or smoking; including, helping/relieving a few dozen other proven and established emotional, psychological, and physical conditions.  Using acupressure points on your body and mind really works! 

Let’s just say, that after a few thousand years and millions upon millions of satisfied ‘test’ subjects, this system has proven itself to work better than Modern Medicine, and without the drug-induced side-effects of prescription pills for ‘whatever ails ya’!

Do-It-Yourself Acupressure points have had great success in alleviating, treating, and resolving many long time symptoms and painful sufferings that people have allowed to go on in their lives; and left untreated for years, even decades. These personally applied pressure points have also been pivotal in improving emotional well-being, while rekindling a zest for life, for those experiencing depression and or anxiety.

According to Debra Betts a certified acupuncturist and educator on the practice of acupressure; there are about 600 acupressure points in total on the human body. Whereas, compared to acupuncture and according to TCM, there are about 2000 acupuncture points that they can address. I hope this improves your understanding of precisely what are acupressure points?

Below is a diagram to help your understanding of some of the 600 acupressure points:


Monday, May 6, 2013

What is Acupressure?



Acupressure, is an ancient Tibetan and Chinese healing practice of ‘using and applying’ various body parts; including, fingers, hands, and elbows, as well as other physical instruments of ‘pressure’, and then, directing these towards specific spots on your body; these localities are called ‘trigger points’; and the end-result of this pressure therapy, is to provide relief from pain or physical discomfort; additionally, to further promote the natural healing of your body and its many parts, by increasing or unblocking various ‘trapped’ or ‘stuck’ ‘flows of energy’ along your body’s so-called ‘meridians’. 

According to Debra Betts, a nurse and well known certified acupuncturist, "In Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are a series of channels that carry qi(energy)through the body. These meridians are a separate system of nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic ducts. They contain over 600 points. In restoring and balancing the bodies energy through this meridian system acupuncture and acupressure promote changes to improve the way the body functions".

I must stress, that having stood the test of time and endurance as a workable healing modality, acupressure has remained as effective today as it was almost 5000 years ago. And, regardless, of what the mainstream Medicine of today will tell you about its history and efficacy; acupressure has been around a lot longer; yet, scientifically speaking, they can’t explain it; and, they remain confused about how energy flow’s work, and the existence of these meridians within a body. To me, ‘What is Acupressure’, is basically the Body-Science of Energy Flows; and these poor medical fools can’t even see the truth before their eyes.

Here is a brief glance at what some of these areas of the foot represent to the rest of the body: 



Acupressure points have also been compared to acupuncture points; another ancient modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses special needles to pierce through your skin, instead of fingered pressure points, externally applied. Yet, not all the pressure points are the same within both healing practices. 

Below is an image of the hands and what acupressure points they represent:


Here is another great website that actively promotes the amazing benefits of pressing on certain acupressure points, offered to the consumer through personalized videos, focusing on your exact symptoms, and how one can use these acupressure points to help resolve dozens of specific physical conditions; naturally, effectively, and almost immediately. Their slogan, "Get well simply by using acupressure points," is an appropriate slogan for their highly valuable video offerings.
These acupressure points are quite specific and extensive: As you can see from this screen captured image was taken from Google image, there are many strategic and well-known- to-work pressure points of acupressure that can observably produce immediate results in those accompanying organs and extremities.
 




These days, acupressure and acupressure points are trending modalities, both on Google search results, as well as in real life, through people’s desire to live healthier and longer lives. As you can see in the screen capture of Google Trends data: This answers the current trending question...What is acupressure!







This means that people are looking for a better way, a more natural way to help heal their tired and worn down bodies, and the grueling pace most people put their bodies through each and every day. There are many techniques and strategies out there to help optimize your health and maximize your longevity; but none, from this health writer’s perspective, is as effective as do-it-yourself acupressure therapy

Go through each and every hyperlink within this document, as it will lead to much more insights and a greater understanding of the power you have to help yourself heal. Your body is a miracle of healing abilities. Learn how it works and responds through acupressure massage.
Hope this helps answer your question, “What is Acupressure?”