Acupressure

Chronic pains, headaches, neck pains and backaches which could lead to asthma and constipation are caused by work stress and repetitive office work. A good treatment is to apply acupressure on the nervous system to regulate blood circulation. As part of a natural therapy programme, as found in Chinese medicine, the use of finger acupressure can work better and safer than medication.

Acupressure is a massage technique combining acupuncture and massage, acupressure involves the placing of physical pressure by using a hand or elbow, as well as with the aid of various other specifically designed devices. Along with the use of pressure, there is also often the use of cold or light massage on very specific parts of the body, and it is used to bring about pain relief through greater balance and circulation of the energies in the body.

While Acupuncture and Acupressure are both effective and are based upon the same philosophy, Acupuncture has a more powerful effect on pain, stimulating nerve tissue and causing biochemical changes, while acupressure is more effective at relaxing the entire musculoskeletal system.

How Does It Work?

The concepts of internal and external environment are very important to the philosophy of traditional Asian medicine. The human body, it is believed, encloses a perpetual flow of bioenergy, or life-force, called "chi, "ki" or "qi". This energy flows into the body and along specific pathways called "meridians", influencing the functioning of all the organs. In healthy individuals, this flow maintains a constant balance with both itself and the external environment. When external or internal events occur which disturb this balance, disease ensues. Along the meridians are a large number of pressure points that act as "valves" for the flow of chi. The stimulation of these points, when properly performed, acts to restore balance to the internal environment, thereby relieving symptoms.