Immense power is hidden in your touch! Have you ever realized how your fingers can work on specific points to steal away all your pain and discomfort? And this power has been utilized or "trapped" in the principles of acupressure.
What is Acupressure?
It is an ancient practice of self healing which originated in Asia. Acupressure is basically a type of massage therapy. It is similar to acupuncture. The difference is that, in acupressure the healing process is performed with the help of fingers while needles are required in the acupuncture therapy. Thes massage technique, which developed several years ago, owes its origin to China. In Japan, the technique is referred to as shiatsu.
The theory of acupressure rests on the belief that all living objects contain a vital energy, known by the term chi. There are invisible paths called meridians inside the body. These paths play the role of connecting all the parts of the body. These paths are the routes for the Chi to flow. The path has several points, the stimulation of which can relieve pain. The points are referred to as Large Intestine 4, Liver 3 and Stomach 36. The procedure is aimed at restoring an overall harmony and balance along with bringing pain relief for you. It also improves the blood circulation and helps the immune system to get stronger.
The large intestine point 4 is located in between the thumb and the first finger. You can get a relief from headache by applying pressure to this point and massaging it in the direction of the index finger. Point 3, liver is located between the big toe and the second toe in the back of the webbing. Stress can be relieved by massaging this point.
The Top 10 Benefits of Acupressure
- Relieves Muscular Pain: It helps in relieving muscular pain and discomfort caused due to physical activity or exercise.
- Treats Neurological Disorders: It helps in treating neurological disorders like facial paralysis, partial paralysis, peripheral neurological disorder, epilepsy, migraine, vertigo and multiple sclerosis.
- Soothes Arthritic Pain: It also benefits in painful conditions like spondylitis, arthritis, frozen shoulder, backaches, slip disc and other bone , joint and muscle pains.
- Treats Sleeplessness: It has been found to be effective in conditions like congestion of chest in cold or flu, insomnia, bed wetting and constipation in children.
- Reduces Stress and Stiffness: It helps the disabled patients by reducing stress and stiffness in their limbs.
- Treats Oral Issues: It helps in oral problems and reduces the pain of tooth extraction, bleeding gums and tooth aches.
- Deals with Heart Related Problems: Kidney stones, liver disorders and heart related problems can also be benefited with acupressure.
- Deals with Stress Related Problems: It can be a good solution to all the health problems which persist due to stress - headaches, muscle tension, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, indigestion, insomnia, muscle tension and nausea! Acupressure therapy helps you to get de-stressed and to avoid these stress-related issues in turn.
- Helps in Gynecological Issues: It has been helpful in dealing with gynecological issues like menopause, pregnancy and pre and post menstrual symptoms like mood swings, hot flushes, back pain, irritability and nausea.
- Cures Respiratory Diseases: Acupressure also yields satisfactory results in case of respiratory diseases like asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis and common colds. It has been found to be effective in the treatment of conjunctivitis, cataract and short sightedness.
Nature has built its own cures and we, the humans just unleashed it! What was there in the nature just came out suddenly into our fingertips in the form of acupressure. And we are now trying to count its multifold benefits!
