Acupressure As A Natural Therapy
Author: ChristianGoodman Total views: 15 Word Count: 494
Acupressure has been around for years, even older than acupuncture. It started in China and dates back over 2,000 years. It has been used not only to heal many health problems naturally, but it has also been effective in preventing problems, especially those associated with aging.
Chinese medical practitioners, acupuncturists, and massage therapists all include acupressure into their treatments. It is an effective way to help your body regain balance, an important aspect of homeostasis the body and always looking for, especially with the fast-paced, high pressured, and stressful lives we all lead.
While acupuncture uses needles to target key points, acupressure uses the human hand, the fingers, thumbs, and knuckles to press key points on the skin. Both procedures are painless, since needles used in acupuncture are so thin, you can hardly feel them. Acupressure and acupuncture both use the same key points, they only differ and how these key points are stimulated.
You can also use pressure bands, when constant and continuous pressure is needed, such as with relief from nausea. Children who might be afraid of acupuncture needles can use acupressure for treatment. Adults often use acupressure to relieve them of stress, with amazing results. Acupressure can be learned in a short time, and can be used on yourself and your family members. Acupuncture, on the other hand, requires many years of specialized education and experience.
Chinese medicine has identified 14 channels, called meridians, which are used to transport the movement of chi or qi, (both pronounced 'chee', which is the 'life energy') inside our body. By applying pressure to key points along each meridian, acupressure helps to improve circulation, reduce tension, balance the body, increase endorphins, and strengthen resistance to illness. It can also be used to treat everyday pains such as headache, stress and eye strain.
A study done at Dankook University in Korea showed acupressure to be successful in reducing the pain of labor as well as shortening the length of labor. It's also been found to be an effective way to induce labor, and for this reason, only someone experienced in acupressure should apply it on pregnant women.
In Taiwan, research showed acupressure to be more useful in decreasing lower back pain than traditional physical therapies, with results lasting six months following treatment. One recent study shows that acupressure applied to the P6 (located in the wrist) had significant results in relieving acid reflux.
Acupressure is not intended to make you more tolerable to pain. It shouldn't hurt in the first place. If pressure is applied and there is pain, stop the pressure immediately. There can be slight numbness from acupressure, but never pain.
I'm not sure why Western medicine seems so reluctant to embrace techniques from other cultures that have been providing proven results for centuries. Perhaps modern day doctors fear their services might no longer be needed if everyone started using alternative therapies and natural remedies for their health related problems.
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About the Author
Christian Goodman is a popular natural Health alternatives writer and the creator of the Natural Health Blog. His latest work is the Vertigo Treatment, which has now helped thousands of people cure their vertigo naturally.
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