ACUPRESSURE AND ACUPUNCTURE: PRESSURE POINT TREATMENT

page content

What is acupressure?
What is the difference between acupuncture and acupressure?
When can acupressure help?
How to use body acupressure?
Modern acupressure instruments
Choose your Pranamat ECO kit

WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE?

Acupressure is a type of Chinese medicine, a form of reflexotherapy based on stimulating the pressure points located on the meridians of the body. It has been used for over 5,000 years.
Eastern medicine explores the ways that Qi energy flows in the body – the life force with which all living things are filled. When energy passes freely along the meridians, a person is healthy. Stagnation of (or excess) energy leads to illness.
Meridians connect internal organs and systems. There are 14 meridians on your body. Each has its name and harmonizing, stimulating and calming points. Stimulating points energize the organs and systems, calming points relieve the nervous state and soothe, and harmonizing points bring balance.

Traditional Chinese medicine affects certain areas on the body's surface to influence the state of the meridians, to remove obstacles from the path of Qi energy. These areas are located along the way of energy movement and are also called biologically active. It is possible to apply pressure, moxibustion, magnetotherapy, acupuncture, and acupressure.

Acupressure points (biologically active points, BAP) are located throughout the body. Many of them are on the feet, palms, and ears. They are also found on the legs, arms, chest, back and head. There are 350 of them in total. By increasing the energy flow through them, we return natural balance to the body.

Modern researchers explain the effectiveness of this ancient science with increased blood flow and stimulation of nerve receptors in the affected area. This leads to the release of joy hormones and powerful natural analgesics, which in turn relieve pain.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUPUNCTURE AND ACUPRESSURE?

In both cases, the procedures lead to easing the pain and relief of the pressure, the immune system restoration, the release of endorphins, and stress relief. Both practices originated around the same time, using the same pressure points and meridians. They do not require medication, help relieve unpleasant symptoms, and treat emotional and physical afflictions.

Acupuncture

Uses fine needles that are inserted under the skin

Acupuncture uses fine needles that are inserted under the skin. The impact is profound and precise.
A specialist must have an appropriate license. It is not recommended to independently insert needles under the skin – this is dangerous due to the appearance of bruises, bleeding, and damage to the nerves.
It is not suitable if the patient has blood diseases, infections, and blood-borne diseases.

Acupressure

Uses thumb and forefinger pressure

Acupressure therapy uses thumb and forefinger pressure instead of needles. This method is softer and safer.
It is easier to master it on your own to relieve your pain and that of your loved ones with the help of a pleasant massage.
Acupressure has fewer side effects and can be combined with other treatments.

When can acupressure help?

In 2003, the World Health Organization listed conditions treated with point massage. Among them are gastric diseases, high and low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, rheumatoid arthritis, and they can even ease dental pain.

Experiments with MRI and Doppler transcranial ultrasound have shown that pressure on the BAP changes the activity of the subcortical layer of the brain. Some signals are transmitted from the central nervous system to specific organs, demonstrating positive dynamics.

You can also use acupressure to analogize other organs and tissues and shorten the duration of illness. It eliminates the disorder of the functional activity of organs and the nervous system, eliminates anxiety, concerns, and fears that are a consequence of neurosis.

It can help with chronic headaches and migraines, motion sickness, muscle cramps, neck and back pain, osteoarthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, stress, addiction recovery, and learning disabilities.

HOW TO USE BODY ACUPRESSURE?

Experts distinguish between three levels of pressure to fight different types of afflictions.

ONE

LIGHT MASSAGE

A light circular massage can help relieve acute pain and is also indicated for first aid. Use the tip of your index finger and massage for no more than 5 minutes, targeting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscles.

Two

moderate pressure

You need to apply moderate pressure to get relieve the symptoms of chronic diseases You can do this massage many times a day, but not longer than 30 seconds at a time.

three

Strong pressure

Strong pressure can be applied with your thumb, gradually increasing the pressure In this case, the skin is shifted relative to the bone or muscles. The finger rotates clockwise at a speed of two revolutions per second. The procedure duration is no more than 1-2 minutes, while noticeable redness may appear on the skin.

Acupressure can be used independently and as a part of the general massage, using all its techniques: rubbing, stroking, kneading, vibration. The massage can be done with one, two or three fingers.

MODERN ACUPRESSURE INSTRUMENTS

This science rejects the use of metal, but modern massage devices with hypoallergenic plastic spikes harnesses the spirit of acupressure.

Pranamat ECO mats and pillows use the knowledge of ancient medicine and modern scientific advances. They have unique patented lotus applicators with long, hard and perfectly rounded spikes sewn onto covers made of 100% linen. The shape of the lotuses and the distance between them is carefully thought out.