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Acupressure Treatment Offers Natural Healing And Pain Relief

By Paulette Short


Acupressure treatment works on the same basic principles as acupuncture, both of which are practiced in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the latter uses needles while the former uses touch. Each technique has the objective of stimulating specific points along the body's meridians, or energy pathways through which the life force known as "Qi" flows that maintains the health of the vital organs.

Many studies demonstrate the efficacy of this technique in its ability to encourage healing and ease pain. It is considered to be a holistic method as physically it reduces muscle tension and increases circulation, and psychologically it brings about relaxation and renewed energy.

These energy meridians run throughout the body from the head to the heels and serve the purpose of connect the body's exterior to its interior. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that there are 800 pressure points located along these channels. Western medicine generally does not acknowledge acupressure, however it does agree that these identified points do coincide with the confirmed locations of many autonomic nervous junctions.

Whereas acupuncturists use needles to stimulate certain points, acupressure practitioners use their hands, feet, elbows, or some devices made for this purpose. Examples of acupressure tools include the foot roller, acuball, and energy roller. A session is usually about an hour long, and normally several will be needed to achieve the best results. The patient should drink warm water afterwards to flush away any toxins that were released.

The primary aim of this treatment is to bring about balance in the body's yin and yang (positive and negative) energy forces. While the evidence indicates that it helps reverse illness and alleviate pain it is still not widely accepted in mainstream medicine, which claims its effects to be the result of physical reactions such as the release of endorphins.

It is also effective as a preventative approach which can curb certain types of pain and imbalance before they can escalate into a full-blown condition. People can even learn how to perform some basic acupressure techniques on their own which may be used to relieve issues like headaches, neck pain, arthritis, back and muscle aches, eyestrain, and sinus problems. It also promotes relaxation and relieves stress which can ultimately improve one's immunity and encourage healing.

Several studies indicate the effectiveness of acupressure in the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting, due to such causes as motion sickness or chemotherapy, and there have been wristbands designed for this purpose. Research also provides evidence that acupressure releases pain-killing endorphins which combat many types of pain, headaches, and arthritis and also boost energy levels and improve one's mood.

In most instances acupressure treatment is safe, however patients who have cancer, a spinal injury, rheumatoid arthritis, or varicose veins must discuss it with their doctor before undergoing therapy of this kind because in some cases it may not be recommended. Pregnant women should also avoid its use since it can bring on contractions in some cases. One must always ensure that the practitioner performing the procedure is licensed and certified as well.




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