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Acupressure - Treatment, Procedure, Cost, Benifits And Side Effects

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

What is acupressure?

Acupressure Treatment is one of the oldest types of treatment and is practised for more than a thousand years in China. Over time this ancient form of therapy has been perfected and is used as an alternate form of medicine across the world. In some cases and in some countries, the treatment and therapies have advanced to such levels that it is being used as a frontline medicine in most cases. Acupressure Treatment follows the same procedure of acupuncture treatment minus the needles.

Your body consists of pressure points that are believed to channel energy and positive vibrations throughout the body. Activating them further can treat you and can be beneficial to you in curing a broad range of ailments. The therapist works on this pressure point by using his fingers or his hands to give you the effects of the treatment. The goal of the therapist is to restore the healthy balance of your body and to regulate the opposing forces of positive energy and the negative energy. In Chinese vocabulary, this is referred to as Ying and Yang. These massages are aimed at increasing the blood circulation, releasing tension and in the stimulation of endorphins.

What is the difference between acupuncture and acupressure?

In an acupuncture treatment, the doctor inserts a hair-thin needle gently and painlessly into acupuncture points along your body's meridians (or energy lines). Whereas, in acupressure, the doctor uses their fingers rather than needles to apply pressure on the points.

According to a licensed acupuncturist “Acupuncture provides the quickest and most efficient pathways for energy, blood, and information to go from one portion of the body to another.""

Acupuncture and acupressure both change our chemical and hormonal signaling systems, which release muscle tension and stop the pain. Migraines, arthritis, intestinal difficulties, menstruation irregularities, insomnia, and exhaustion are just a few of the ailments that the therapies can help with.

Summary: The basic difference between acupuncture and acupressure is the way of treatment. In acupuncture the doctor uses needles and in acupressure, the doctor uses manual pressure.

Can acupressure cure diseases?

Some diseases respond well to acupressure treatment. It is effective in treating illnesses of the muscles, joints, and bones, collectively known as the musculoskeletal system.

Whether you have chronic pain or pain caused by a recent accident, acupressure can significantly reduce your symptoms.

  • Osteoarthritis treatment: It usually affects the lower back along with the spine, as well as the hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Acupressure helps to relieve the pain produced by arthritis fluctuates.
  • Provides relief from sprains: Sprains and other types of unexpected injuries usually respond nicely to acupressure. This type of pain normally lasts a week or so. For example, if you have a sudden injury to your shoulders, the pain that results from it can continue for months or even years. Acupressure, on the other hand, can keep the discomfort from becoming chronic and provide immediate relief.
  • Helping with rheumatic pains: If you have rheumatism in its acute, early, and inflammatory stages, you will require treatment until the disease progresses to its residual stage, which can be effectively treated with acupressure. It also aids in the treatment of a variety of chronic pains, and as a result, many professionals recommend it.
Summary: Acupressure helps to relieve acute and chronic pains, anxiety, stress, back pains, and menstrual cramps.

What conditions can be treated with acupressure?

Acupressure is utilised to treat a wide range of maladies, issue and torment conditions. Basic diseases that react well to needle therapy incorporate:

  • Incessant weakness disorder
  • Migraines
  • Endless agony
  • Incessant weakness disorder
  • Skin issues tendinitis
  • Respiratory disarranges
  • Stomach related issue
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Joint inflammation

What is acupressure used for?

Acupressure works with the same principles as needle therapy or acupuncture to advance unwinding and wellbeing and to treat ailments. Many people experience acupressure to deal with the condition, such as:

  • Menstrual spasms
  • Cancer-related issues
  • Sickness or regurgitating after surgery or chemotherapy
  • Headache
  • Stress management
  • Motion sickness
  • Queasiness and regurgitating during pregnancy and morning sickness
  • Muscle pain and tension

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What a typical acupressure treatment is like?

Acupressure practitioners use their fingers, elbows, and palm to put pressure on the pressure points in your body. The sessions are basically a massage type experience that you can get when using the therapy. Each session can last about one hour, and you may need several sessions for better results. You would be lying fully clothed in these sessions, and the therapist would first understand your needs and the reason why you are opting for these treatments. There are many acupressure points in your body that only an experienced therapist may identify. Activating them in these massages can bring out the best results. In many cases, people undertake these sessions in order to get relief from pain and mental stress. Also when going for these sessions make sure that you get the treatment done only in a reputed massage centre.

Who would need an acupressure treatment?

Every individual can safely have acupressure Treatment. It basically involves channelizing your pressure points for the wellness of your body. The treatment is done whenever you are undergoing a medical condition, and you would like to control it without medications and drugs. Also, people of all ages can opt for it without any side effects.

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

Acupressure Treatment is not entirely advisable for pregnant women. There are specific Acupressure Treatment and therapies available for such persons, and they can safely take them. Also, acupressure treatment is not advisable for young people and would be advised for people who are above 18 years of age.

What are the side effects of acupressure?

No, there are no side effects of undergoing acupressure treatment. Since your pressure points are massaged, you might feel some stiffness initially, but these muscle liaisons would ease on its own. Also, it would be advisable if you can relax for a day when you take this treatment so that your body absorbs the full potential of the treatment.

What should you do after acupressure treatment?

There are no specific guidelines to follow. You can get back to your regular routine immediately post the treatment or the session. You might be advised to take some rest initially and avoid doing heavy works for a brief period. Also, try to adhere to all the sessions as laid down by the therapist as the treatment works only as a whole.

How long does it take to recover?

There is no recovery period involved, and you can get back to you routine immediately post your treatment. It would be mandatory to take some rest initially for the muscle suppleness to set in. In some very rare cases, you might feel a little pain in the areas where the pressure points have been concentrated upon. Otherwise, the treatment is extremely safe and can be had by any individual.

What is the average cost of an acupressure treatment in India?

The cost of the treatment depend on the center and the number of sessions you might be asked to have. On an average, each session would cost around INR 200 to INR 300. Most of the sessions would be for an average time of one hour.

How long do the effects of acupressure last?

Acupressure treatment is more of therapy rather than treatment. Hence the results may not be permanent and can depend on the ailment for which you are undergoing the treatment. However, for most of the individuals, the results can be immediate, and they can be having some immediate relief.

What are the benefits of acupressure?

Alongside its capacity to treat a variety of illnesses, patients experience extra advantages of pressure point massage knead. Some of them are:

  • Provides good sleep
  • Reduces and eradicates discomfort and pain of a sports or other injury
  • Soothing tension, stress and anxiety
  • Treats digestive problems
  • Diminishes chronic pain
  • Relaxes muscles and joint
  • Reduces headaches.

What should I eat after acupuncture?

Patients are advised to eat healthy foods after an acupuncture session to aid in the clearance of toxins from the body. You are advised to take food rich in antioxidants such as:

  • Blackberries
  • Cranberries
  • Turmeric
  • Pecans
  • Artichoke
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Ginger
  • Blueberries
  • Thyme, basil, and oregano
  • Peppers
  • Tomato
  • Broccoli
  • Green Tea
Summary: Patients are advised to take food rich in antioxidants such as fruits, herbs, and green veggies. You should avoid food items like refined sugar, fried food, caffeine, and alcohol.

Can acupuncture damage nerves?

Acupuncture is extremely effective at restoring blood flow and stimulating the nervous system. It also helps in the regeneration and maintenance of nerves.

The treatment of acupressure locations is to re-stimulate those nerve fibers, damaged in case of any nerve injury.

Acupuncture is an excellent treatment for peripheral neuropathy, with fewer adverse effects than medicines. The goal is to maintain the nerves active and engaged in order to prevent disease.

The local needling around the fingertips helps to promote blood flow to the capillary and improves nerve function.

Summary: Acupuncture helps to treat nerve damage by improving the blood flow. It helps in the treatment of nerve problems.

What are the alternatives to the treatment?

As an alternative, you can opt for other treatments that can rejuvenate your pressure points such as meditation and physiotherapy. You can even opt for yoga exercises to channel them. Do check with your therapists and doctor for the alternative treatment that is suitable for you.

Key Highlights

Safety: High

Effectiveness: High

Timeliness: Medium

Relative Risk: Very Low

Side Effects: Very Low

Recovery Time: Very Low

Price Range: RS. 200 - Rs. 300 per session

References

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Written ByDr. Tushar ChipraBachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)Ayurveda
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Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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