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: