Dr. Shanthala S

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese healing treatment modality which works on the principle that the human body carries a dense network of energy pathways. When these get blocked, the smooth flow of energy too is disturbed resulting in various diseases.

The Chinese identified points along these pathways which if stimulated, could re-balance the whole energy system and help in countering disease. This, in short, is the basic guideline of Acupressure.

Procedures
Since energy pathways include some running at the accessible range of a needle, acupuncture, a form of acupressure uses needles, as fine as human hair, inserted in different acupuncture points on the hands and feet of the patient to normalise the energy flow. Acupressure also works on these pressure points but without the needles. The basic guideline of both acupressure and acupuncture is the same, and just the methodology differs. In acupressure, a practitioner uses fingers, seeds, blunt instruments and other objects to put pressure on the acupuncture points to normalise energy flow.

How is acupressure treatment given?

1. Each point is on a meridian that is connected to a particular important organ of your body. So a sore point on your kidney meridian may indicate a problem with your kidneys.
2. The practitioner listens to your case history and then starts treatment by pressing points on your hands and feet. He puts sustained pressure on each point while taking feedback from you about the soreness of a particular point. A sore point indicates a problem in blood circulation and stuck energy.
3. It is how an acupressurist diagnoses and then cures a particular health problem.
4. Acupressure can also be practised by you yourself by pressing points on your body. You need to be trained to do this, however.
5. After putting pressure on points for anywhere between 30 minutes to one hour, the acupressurist usually attaches a tiny magnet to the point with tape for 24 hours.
6. Anyone can go for acupressure treatment
7. It has proven to be extremely efficacious in treating infertility, liver problems, pain, stress etc.
8. It takes several sessions to cure a disease.
9. While some practitioners merely treat local symptoms, genuinely trained acupuncturists practice their art as a comprehensive system of holistic medicine which heals the body, mind and the spirit.

Precautions
There are no side effects of acupressure if precautions like the following are taken-

1. Pregnant women should take care not to go in for acupressure treatments.
2. Patients with life-threatening diseases like stroke or heart disease should consult their doctor before using acupressure or other alternative therapies.
3. Acupressure does not cure bacterial infections so acupressure is contra-indicated for UTIs for example.
4. Acupressure is also not a treatment for cancer, contagious skin diseases, or sexually transmitted diseases but can help alleviate symptoms.

After an acupressure session, take care to protect yourself from cold as your body heat is lowered. So, keep warm when you finish an acupressure routine. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can ask a free question.