Acupressure heals with pressure points

Akupressur: Wie es die Heilmethode auf den Punkt bringt

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese therapy that works in a similar way to acupuncture. The difference is that no needles are used, but certain body points massaged.

Vera Sohmer
| 2 Min. Reading Time

What is acupressure?

When our eyes get tired or our head hurts, we instinctively rub our temples or pinch the root of our nose. In doing so, we're – maybe unwittingly – helping ourselves with acupressure.

The difference between acupressure and acupuncture is that instead of needles, certain acupressure points are treated with pressure. This healing method from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is acupuncture's little sister, so to speak. Acupressure is deemed not quite as effective and is therefore recommended for milder complaints or as a preventive treatment. As a simple form of first aid, acupressure also lends itself to patients treating themselves.

It's said that even school children in China know the key acupressure points and therefore how to help themselves.

Acupressure points: simple techniques to do yourself

In principle, any acupressure treatment should start with a proper diagnosis by qualified doctors or therapists. However, patients can often help themselves with a few simple hand techniques.

Examples of effective acupressure points

A list of various complaints and their relevant acupressure points.
Type of complaint Acupressure points
Travel sickness The pressure point is below the right wrist. Massage this with three fingers of the left hand. Also helps with nausea during pregnancy.
Sleeplessness Massage the armpit with the fist.
Forehead ache Rub the root of the nose with thumb and forefinger.
Blocked nose Press with both index fingers on points behind the earlobes or next to the nostrils.

Aids for acupressure

Various aids exist to ensure practitioners reach the right acupressure points. A selection of acupressure aids:

  • Acupressure pen: serves to massage acupressure points with pinpoint accuracy; also called acupuncture pen or APM stick.
  • Acupressure cushion: neck pillow with soft protrusions, promotes blood circulation and relaxes muscles.
  • Acupressure ring: massages the fingers and stimulates the energetic points and related organs.
  • Acupressure armband: can relieve travel nausea, morning sickness during pregnancy, nausea caused by migraines and other types of nausea.

Strengthening self-healing powers with acupressure

Like acupuncture, acupressure stimulates certain points on the twelve energy pathways (meridians) that, according to TCM, run through the body. Instead of inserting fine needles into these points, doctors and therapists apply pressure of varying intensity – using their palms, fingertips, fingernails, thumbs, elbows. This releases blockages in the flow of energy and strengthens the body’s self-healing powers, restoring it to a state of balance.

Acupressure is recommended for complaints that include:

A man receives advice from a doctor about an allergy test at a practice
Contributions to alternative treatment methods

Acupressure

Supplement conventional medical treatments with more than 80 naturopathic methods.

Alternative methods

Tuina massage, also known as Anmo massage, works similarly to acupressure. In this therapy, tissues and organs, individual body points or larger areas are pressed, kneaded, tapped and stroked. These massages are designed to stimulate energy flow and blood circulation, and to relax muscles and tendons. In contrast to standard massage techniques, patients usually remain clothed or cloths are placed on the body.

Shiatsu: the Japanese variation of acupressure

Shiatsu therapy is the Japanese form of Chinese acupressure. Both massage techniques work on the same principle: relieving pain and discomfort with pressure, rubbing or stretching in order to restore the patient's physical and spiritual balance.

Vera Sohmer
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