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The History of AcupressureAcupressure, also spelled "Accupressure" by some, is an ancient modality (treatment method) originating in the Far East. In many ways it closely resembles Reflexology. Reviews of acupressure clinical trials have been conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; for most conditions they have concluded a lack of effectiveness or lack of well-conducted clinical trials. Traditional Chinese medicine's acupuncture theory predates use of the scientific method, and has received various criticisms based on scientific thinking. There is no known anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians. Acupuncturists tend to perceive TCM concepts in functional rather than structural terms, i.e. as being useful in guiding evaluation and care of patients. Neuroimaging research suggests that certain acupuncture points have distinct effects that are not otherwise predictable anatomically.
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Acupressure
is principally similar to Acupuncture
(curing by pressing needles at acupressure points). In
Acupressure is the therapy, through which you can treat almost all the existing diseases in a natural way. It is quick & provides fast & permanent relief. Furthermore Acupressure has no side effects as the conventional medicines have. The biggest advantage is that Acupressure can be applied anywhere ,anytime easily by applying pressure , through the thumb or simple instruments, to acupressure points present in various parts of body. This therapy can be learned easily & you can become your own doctor by using Acupressure charts (given here). Specific acupressure points have particular organs associated with them. For example, If somebody has a problem of constipation, there will be a particular type of pain on pressing of associated acupressure points. Frequently press these points regularly and the pain goes away along with the disease. (There is no pain at these points in healthy individuals). The origins of acupressure are as ancient as the
instinctive impulse to hold your forehead or temples when you have a
headache. Though Chinese are said to develop this therapy
, But its actual origin was in From Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Many theories have been put forward describing how Acupressure works:
34 Acupressure videos from Expert Village |
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Does It Work?As noted above, clinical trials have been conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; for most conditions they have concluded a lack of effectiveness or lack of well-conducted clinical trials. But the "protocols of evidence-based medicine" are mainly a Western concept that, critics say, is a limited form of measurement that ignores the holistic trilateral mind/body/spirit nature of the human entity. Although these protocols may find nothing effective within their own parameters, they may be failing to even measure other vital factors of the mind/body/spirit triangle and therefore see only part of the whole. Certainly, these protocols should not be written off. At least some effectiveness should show up in even a partial analysis. Still, if the Acupressure approach were nothing more than mumbo-jumbo, it would not have survived for thousands of years. The following is from Wikipedia: References to things analogous to the qi taken to be the life-process or “flow” of energy that sustains living beings are found in many belief systems, especially in Asia. Philosophical conceptions of qi date from the earliest recorded times in Chinese thinking. One of the important early cultural heroes in Chinese mythology is Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor). He is identified in the legends of China as the one who first collected and formalized much of what subsequently became known as traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest extant book that speaks of qi is the Analects of Confucius (composed from the notes of individual students some time after his death in 479 B.C.) Unlike the legendary accounts mentioned above, the Analects has a clear date in history, and most later books (at least the ones that do not purport to be relics of the legendary earliest rulers) can also be assigned clear dates in history. Manfred Porkert described relations to Western universal concepts:
Although the concept of qi has been very important within many Chinese philosophies, over the centuries their descriptions of qi have been varied and may seem to be in conflict with each other. Understanding of these disputes is complicated for people who did not grow up using the Chinese concept and its associated concepts. Until China came into contact with Western scientific and philosophical ideas (primarily by way of Catholic missionaries), they knew about things like stones and lightning, but they would not have categorized them in terms of matter and energy. Qi and li (理, li, pattern) are their fundamental categories much as matter and energy have been fundamental categories for people in the West. |
Their use of qi (lifebreath) and li (pattern, regularity, form, order) as their primary categories leaves in question how to account for liquids and solids, and, once the Western idea of energy came on the scene, how to relate it to the native idea of "qi". If Chinese and Western concepts are mixed in an attempt to characterize some of the problems that arise with the Chinese conceptual system, then one might ask whether qi exists as a "force" separate from "matter", whether qi arises from "matter", or whether "matter" arises from qi.
Fairly early on, some Chinese thinkers began to believe that there are different fractions of qi (in the sense that different fractions can be extracted from crude oil in a catalytic cracker), and that the coarsest and heaviest fractions of qi form solid things such as rocks, the earth, etc., whereas lighter fractions form liquids, and the most ethereal fractions are the "lifebreath" that animates living beings.[3] Yuán qì is a notion of "innate" or "pre-natal" qi to distinguish it from acquired qi that a person may develop of their lifetime. Acupressure and Luo PointsLuo Points is an acupuncture term referring to special points in the body that are believed to have greater significance. According to acupuncture theory, the points, twelve in all, are places where the body can be manipulated to greater effect when applying acupuncture or tui na techniques, and can be used to aid the circulation of qi so as to keep the body healthy. Luo Points are points where a meridian exits off from the main flow and connects with the Yin/Yang paired meridian. They are considered "connecting points". The Luo Points* are on the body qi meridians as follows:
"Qi" is frequently translated as "energy flow," and is often compared to Western notions of energeia or élan vital (vitalism) as well as the yogic notion of prana. The literal translation is "air," "breath," or "gas" (compare the original meaning of Latin spiritus "breathing"; or the Common Greek πνεῦμα, meaning "air," "breath," or "spirit"; and the Sanskrit term prana, "breath" ). * We currently have not located any specific reference points to the frequencies or specific locations for the 12 meridian points listed above. |
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There are about 400 acupuncture points and 20 meridians connecting most of the points, however by the 2nd Century CE, 649 were recognised in China.[3][4] Such 20 meridians are usually called the "twelve regular channels" or "twelve regular meridians" , with each meridian corresponding to each organ; nourishing it and extending to an extremity. There are also "Eight Extraordinary Channels" or "Eight Extraordinary Meridians" , two of which have their own sets of points, and the remaining ones connecting points on other channels. The twelve standard meridians go along the arms and the legs. They are: Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Triple Warmer (aka Triple Heater), Gall Bladder, and Liver. These terms refer to biological functions and not the structural organ, which is why there are some on the list with no corresponding anatomical structure. Meridians are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are: Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yang meridians of the arm are: Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Warmer. The Yin Meridians of the leg are Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder. [5] The table below gives a more systematic list of the meridians:[6][7]
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What is Acupressure? From the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) Acupressure is a form of massage that is one of the treatment methods
used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese people have used
acupressure for thousands of years to treat common diseases and maintain
health. Its use is described in The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal
Medicine, which was written over 3000 years ago. |
Acupressure improves nausea and vomiting after surgery or during
pregnancy. It is also used to reduce the pain from headaches, sore
muscles, and joint problems. People using this technique also claim that
acupressure can treat obesity, arthritis, improve blood flow, and help
prevent future diseases.
During a treatment or self-treatment, you will experience a slight
pain when the proper acupuncture point is pressed. Acupressure
treatments are generally safe except during pregnancy or with patients
who cannot tolerate the treatment due to varicose veins, wounds, or
other problems. Acupressure should not be used as the only treatment for
serious illness or chronic conditions but should, instead, be in
addition to treatment by a licensed doctor.
References: |
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