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The Chinese have been using acupressure for more than 5,000 years. In his book "The Complete Book of Acupuncture" (Berkely: Celestial Arts, 1976), Dr. Stephen Thomas Chang explains that acupuncture and acupressure were discovered through treating wounded soldiers. When the soldiers were punctured or pierced, even though they were now wounded in one part of their body, ailments and pain that they may have had for years in other parts of their bodies were now gone. Chinese doctors and health care workers began studying how pressure on certain parts of the body relieved pain in other areas.
While it has been over 5000 years, the practice and study of acupressure continues today. With the desire to find alternative healing methods, it is becoming increasing popular. Acupressure got its beginnings with acupuncture. Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate pressure points, and acupressure simply uses degrees of pressure from hands or feet to stimulate pressure points -
Acupressure relaxes and increases endorphin production.Acupressure is based on the premise that the body houses pathways called meridians. The same way blood is carried throughout the body by way of blood vessels, meridians are pathways that carry electrical energy through the body. When you press on a part of your body that is in pain, it is called a "local" point. When you put pressure on a "local" point and it relieves pain in a distant part of the body, that is called a "trigger" point. The pressure on the local point carries the electrical energy to the trigger point by way of the meridian pathway. Internal organs are also part of these meridian pathways.
As pressure is applied to a local point, a few reactions begin to happen in the body. Blood flow to that area is stimulated giving way to improved circulation. The stimulation also releases endorphins, which are our bodies natural pain relievers. When the pain to an area is blocked and the blood begins to flow there it sends oxygen to the trigger point and relaxes the muscles at the point. When the muscles begin to relax, healing can occur.
Muscle relaxation and increased endorphins are fast, non-medicinal ways to relieve pain. When pain is felt in an area, the muscles automatically tense up, increasing the perception of that pain. Consequently, relaxation of those muscles decreases the amount of pain we are feeling from that trigger point.
Endorphins are natural pain killers. They are receptors that act similar to the drugs morphine and codeine, minus the addictive side effects. -
Many acupressure points are located in the feet.While pain relief in itself is enough, there are other benefits from acupressure. The relaxation experienced during acupressure helps lower stress and anxiety levels, which has immediate health benefits on our digestive systems. A drop in stress and anxiety also brings on a restful sleep pattern, which builds up the immune system. A decrease in blood pressure helps keep heart disease at bay.
Acupressure is easy to do on yourself and others, but be sure to familiarize yourself with the types of pressure or massage used and the corresponding pressure points.
