Acupressure
Acupressure [from Latin acus "needle" + pressure .] is an alternative
medicine technique
similar in principle to Acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through
"meridians" in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied
to trigger points with the aim of clearing blockages in
these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various
devices.
Some
medical studies have suggested that acupressure may be effective at helping
manage nausea and vomiting, or for helping lower back pain. According to Quackwatch acupressure
is a dubious practice, and its practitioners use irrational methods.
Instruments
There are
several different instruments for applying nonspecific pressure by rubbing,
rolling, or applying pressure on the reflex zones of the body. The acuball is a
small ball made of rubber with protuberances that is heatable. It is used to
apply pressure and relieve muscle and joint pain. The energy roller
is a small cylinder with protuberances. It is held between the hands and rolled
back and forth to apply acupressure. The foot roller (also "krupa
chakra") is a round, cylindrical roller with protuberances. It is placed
on the floor and the foot is rolled back and forth over it. The power mat (also
pyramid mat) is a mat with small pyramid-shaped bumps that you walk on. The
spine roller is a bumpy roller containing magnets that is rolled up and down
the spine. The
Teishein is one of the original nine classical acupuncture needles
described in the original texts of acupuncture. Even though it is described as
an acupuncture needle it did not pierce the skin. It is used to apply rapid
percussion pressure to the points being treated.
Background
Acupoints used in treatment may
or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they
work by stimulating themeridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled "chi"). This
theory is based on the paradigm of TCM
Many East Asian martial arts also
make extensive study and use of acupressure for self-defense and health purposes,
(chin na, tui
na). The points or combinations of points are said to be used to
manipulate or incapacitate an opponent. Also, martial artists regularly massage
their own acupressure points in routines to remove blockages from
their own meridians, claiming to thereby enhance their circulation and
flexibility and keeping the points "soft" or less vulnerable to an
attack.
