Acupressure - Pressure Points Therapy

Acupressure, is an evolved form of the ancient Indian deep massage therapy. Acupressure means treating the body by applying pressure on specific points, called pressure points, located in the hands, feet,face, ears, legs,back,neck and other parts of the body.

Acupressure is suitable for everyone.

History of Acupressure

Contrary to the popular belief Acupressure-pressure points has not been brought to India from China and other countries but Chinese visitors to India while returning back took Indian Ayurveda Texts to China and propagated the belief worldwide that Acupressure was their gift to the world.

Ancient Indian texts mention exhaustively about Acupressure.It will be informative to add here that, the centuries old Indian tradition of wearing,bangles,kadas(thick bangles),amulets,anklets,lockets,earrings,nose rings etc was a form of simulated Acupressure therapy in those times.

The 2 main principles of Acupressure therapy are :

• The emotional aspect is an inseparable part of the physical body. Hence, Acupressure considers both the physical and the emotional aspects as a unit and treats the body accordingly.
• All nerve endings of the various body systems and glands are mainly situated in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

In this therapy, pressure is applied on specific pressure points related to the diseased organ or system located in the hands and feet primarily apart from other areas of the body, due to which, energy is sent to the affected body system or gland ensuring freedom from disease.

Disease occurs due to mental and physical misuse by way of thought, action and habit. Due to this chemicals and toxins start collecting in and around the various affected organs and joints.This leads to the suboptimal functioning of these organs and systems, the bones muscles and nerves. More disease in a body mean more a higher proportion of chemicals and toxins around the organs.

As soon as the affected organs' working slackens there appears a blockage in the corresponding organs' pressure points and fine crystals of chemical compounds start collecting around the pressure point. The toxins around the organ impair the blood flow to it.

When pressure is put on the affected pressure point (the pressure point related to the affected organ experiences pain when pressed), these collected crystals start to move and are destroyed. The blood flow is restored leading to the health of that organ.

According to another theory, our body is made up of 5 elements which are controlled by electrical energy called Bio-electricity or Bio-energy.

According to this theory, the affected pressure point feels pain when pressed due to leakage of this Bio-electricity outside the body. This causes malfunctioning of the related organ. When pressure is given on this point the leakage of electricity stops and the bio-electricity starts flowing through the organ once again .The organ becomes healthy and starts functioning normally.

Point No .............................. Disease/ Organ/Condition

1............................................ Menstrual Troubles

2, 4, 8, 9 13 & 14.................. Catarrh, Sinus

3............................................ Pelvic troubles

5........................................... Headache & Giddiness

6 & 16.................................. Severe Headache

7 & 15.................................. Sleep disturbances & Paralysis

10 ........................................Menopausal Complaints

11........................................ Throat, Cough, Dyspnea and Asthma

12........................................ Toothache

Point No ................................................Disease/Organ/Condition

1 ............................................................Memory
2 ...... .....................................................Sciatica
3 & 25 ....................................................Gas
4 .............................................................Liver Diseases
5 .............................................................Blood Circulation
6 & 24 ................................................... Thyroid
7............................................................ Paralysis
8 ............................................................Kidney diseases
9, 14 & 22................................. ............Constipation
10 & 21 .................................................Intestinal diseases
11..........................................................Diseases of the Pancreas
12 & 13 .................................................Diseases of the Right Lung
15 & 18 .................................................Erectile Dysfunction
16 & 17 .................................................Diseases of the Stomach
19 & 20 .................................................Diseases of the Left Lung
23 .........................................................Diseases of the Kidneys
26 ....................................................... .Diseases of the Spleen
27 .........................................................Diseases of the Heart
28 .........................................................Sciatica
29 .........................................................Severe Headache
30 .........................................................Diseases of the Reproductive System
31 .........................................................Headaches

Point No .............................................Disease/Organ/Condition

1........................................Piles/Urinary bladder diseases/nocturnal enuresis
2........................................Double Vision
3 & ................................ ..Diseases of the Brain/Coryza/Insomnia
4 & 20............................... Sciatica/Brain/Liver & Gall Bladder diseases
5........................................Eye diseases
6, 14, 15, & .......................Eye diseases
7........................................Tinnitus
8 & 10................................Mental tension & Paralysis
9 & 17................................Toothache
11.......................................Blockage of the nose & running nose
12.......................................Paralysis,sneezing, epilepsy, unconciousness
13, 16.................................Toothache, Mental tension
18.......................................High BP, stiffness of arm with pain
22.......................................Diseases of the stomach, eyes, feet

Point.................Organ/Condition
1.................................Tonsils
2.................................Appendix
3.................................Heel
4.................................Knee Joint
5.................................High BP
6.................................Asthma
7.................................Buttocks
8.................................Sciatica
9.................................Hip
10....................... ......Urinary Bladder
11.............................. Ureters
12...............................Kidneys
13...............................Large Intestine
14...............................Colon/Rectum
15...............................Small Intestine
16...............................Stomach
17...............................Breathing
18 & 19.......................Lungs
20...................... ......High BP
21...............................Nostrils
22...............................Eyes
23...............................Eyes

1. Acupressure can be applied by the Thumbs,fingers,wooden or plastic devices as per the needs and facility available.

2. The applied pressure has to be medium in intensity.While doing this if unbearable pain is experienced on any point, it must be understood that the organ related to the pressure point is diseased or affected.

3. The pressure is applied by resting the thumb or finger on the pressure point and applying pressure in a clockwise circular motion.

4. When pressure is applied on the points in the hands, feet or other parts of the body the collected toxins and chemical crystals start moving slowly from there and get mixed in the blood and are either removed through perspiration or by the kidneys. Hence, after Acupressure is done it is important to apply pressure on points related to the kidneys for a minute or two.

As these crystals start moving the effect of the disease starts lessening and there is less pain when these points are subsequently pressed. If this routine is followed for some days the disease is cured and either no pain or very slight pain is experienced on these points.

4. One might experience extreme pain and even swelling on the affected pressure point initially when you start this therapy.Do not get disheartened or scared.This is Normal.Hot fomentation with water to which salt has been added will relieve the swelling and pain.

Acupressure is useful in all diseases. It is a side effects free therapy and can be incorporated with other treatment systems.Some important diseases which can be benefitted with this therapy are listed below.

• WHO has accepted the importance of Acupressure and Acupuncture therapy in Sciatica, cervical spondylitis,diseases of spine,frozen shoulder,knee pain,bed wetting,stomach ulcers,constipation,headaches including migraine,abnormalities of the nervous system,gas,acidity,tonsillitis,sinusitis,bronchitis,asthma,ear,nose and throat infections,dental pain,paralysis etc .
• Acupressure has immediate effect in sudden heart pain and blockage in arteries.
• In relieving stomach diseases, diabetes and mental conditions.
• This therapy along with treating a disease, is also a tool for disease diagnosis as applying pressure on various Reflex centers (pressure points)reveals,by way of experiencing pain in varying intensities, which organs or glands are not working optimally.

Sometimes it so happens that laboratory tests do not reveal the causative factors of a disease. In such cases,Acupressure can be exceptionally helpful in locating the disease causative organs, glands or systems.

Acupressure can be done anytime. But if one is taking treatment for stomach, intestines, liver, kidney, gall bladder etc, that is, organs related to the digestive system, then taking acupressure either 2 to 3 hours before a meal or 2 to 3 hours after a meal would be ideal.

Acupressure therapy is best taken before meals as immediately after meals the body's entire energy is focused on digesting the food.

However, Acupressure therapy can be taken after 1 hour of taking a glass of milk or some fruits.

Pressure can be put for a period of 30 seconds to 2 minutes on each pressure point. The health of a person determines this duration. Otherwise a person can become unconscious.

Do not apply pressure to any one point constantly but keep applying pressure to various points sequentially.

Essentially give Acupressure twice a day, morning and evening. In cases of pain etc it can be done 3 times a day.

According to Dr. Chu Lien there are 669 points while some others give the number as 1000.

In daily practice however,there are 100 points which are of importance.

Accupressure Tools

Some tools used to apply pressure on the pressure points are shown in the pictures alongside .

The finger roller is for pressure points along the sides of the fingers.

The foot mat is for pressing the points on the soles of the feet.

The roller ball is rotated in the hands.

The roller is for rolling on the legs or back.

The Jimmy is for points in hands & feet.

The foot roller to roll on the foot pressure points.

These tools help in case the thumb and fingers cannot be used to apply for giving pressure.

If you liked this hub, you will find these under mentioned links to my other hubs also very useful and informative. Please do give it a read.
Thanks.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this hub is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or embarking on a new health regime.