What You Should Know About Acupressure

Acupuncture without the needles, acupressure involves a practitioner using his or her fingers, thumbs, hands, feet and elbows to stimulate the acupuncture points and bring about health and wellbeing.
Acupressure is common in Asia and is gaining in popularity in the West.
The techniques vary from country to country so there are several versions being practiced.
A full Chinese acupressure massage, for example, is called tunica, a similar Japanese massage called shiatsu.
The oldest system is sheen Tao, in which the practitioner applies light pressure with the fingertips.
All acupressure massages, however, are concerned with stimulating the energy in the body by pressing the acupuncture points, which act as valves for the vital energy.
Musculoskeletal disorders, stress, digestive disorders, depression, anxiety, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as allergies and emotional problems, can all benefit from acupressure.
Pressure on the acupuncture points can stimulate the immune system and promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
To stave off nausea press a point of five centimeter or two inches below the wrist crease, between the tow tendons.
This prevents post operative vomiting and nausea after chemotherapy.
To lessen an allergic reaction, stretch out your arm and press the crease on the inside of your elbow.
Or bend your arm and place your thumb at the end of the elbow crease on the inside.
Once you have located this spot, stretch your arm out and stimulate the point.
You will usually be asked to lie for a shiatsu massage for asthma.
The treatment may begin with the practitioner placing one hand on your breast bone, between the nipples, and the other just below your navel.