When you hear the word “acupressure”, the first image that may come to mind is a person lying on a table covered with needles. However, this image is that of acupuncture, not acupressure. While acupuncture is a school of acupressure, it’s not the same thing.
Instead, when we talk about acupressure, we’re talking about the method of stimulating pressure points through massage.
How does acupressure work?
Acupressure behaves on the principle that your qi or chi (pronounced “chee”) is unbalanced. When it comes to your body, qi is the harmony and balance of your systems. It is believed that these systems can grow disrupted when your body is inhibited by deficiency and excess.
A deficiency in qi is caused by a lack of food, shelter, warmth, relationships, and other life essentials. An excess of qi is the result of too many toxins or chemicals and food or drink. Too many negative thoughts are also considered an excess of qi.
Qi deficiency and excess both share in common that they are physical and emotional changes in the body. According to the Chinese traditional school of thought, when we experience changes in any of these areas, the rest of our body is affected too. That’s why massaging a point on your wrist can be connected to lowering your stress levels.
So, what do these deficiencies and excesses have to do with acupressure? Well, acupressure finds the pressure points in your system associated with the physical effects of qi imbalance. By identifying and stimulating these pressure points, your body can begin to feel better and balanced.
How to stimulate pressure points with acupressure
To get a complete experience in restoring your qi imbalance, you can opt to visit a professional acupressure therapist. Yet, it’s possible to identify and massage pressure points yourself. If you have someone you trust, a friend can be helpful too!
After identifying the pressure points you would like to work on, use the following to practice acupressure on yourself:
- Use one or two fingers to apply deep pressure to the pressure point for three to five minutes. Move your fingers in a small rotation around the point for added stimulation.
- Start a daily routine. To get best results from acupressure, repeat the therapy on your pressure points on a daily basis.
- Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. While massaging your pressure points, it can help to keep your eyes closed and to breath deep and slow.
The best thing about this therapy is that it can help almost anybody. Anyone from two months old to 100 years old can benefit from acupressure. So, if you haven’t started stimulating your pressure points yet, it’s never too late!
What are the effects of acupressure?
Following a regular routine of acupressure therapy can benefit many parts of your body and mind. For example, acupressure can improve the following:
- Stress
- Digestion
- Pain-relief
- Circulation
- Fertility
- Flu symptoms
- Nausea
- Mental Health
This list doesn’t capture all that acupressure improves, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect. In short, practicing acupressure therapy improves your qi and overall state of being.
Are there any cons to acupressure?
While there aren’t exactly any cons to the therapy itself, there are misunderstandings and misapplications. Be aware of the following:
- Do not apply too much or too little pressure. Too much pressure can cause harm. Too little pressure won’t achieve stimulation of qi.
- Avoid misdiagnosing your pressure points. Take a second to research which pressure point helps with which part of your qi. Stimulating the wrong point can leave you unrelieved or even put you off balance.
- Do not expect to cure diseases. While acupressure helps a ton with symptoms and pain relief, you still need to seek medical help for serious illnesses. Acupressure will help you feel better, but not cure serious ailments.
Is acupressure right for me?
Of course! As you can see from the benefits mentioned before, acupressure can help anybody. Make sure you take care to do it correctly and not abuse it, and you should be fine.
Re-balancing your qi may be the best decision you make to improve your quality of life. So why wait? Get started with acupressure now!
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