Accupressure /Accupuncture

            Acupressure comes from the same ancient origin as acupuncture and the oriental arts of Shiatsu massage. It is classed as Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) which has its roots in China, Korea, and Japan.  The foundation for ABT is thought to have come from Chinese Folk remedies with 1000’s of years of empirical evidence.  The earliest known text on Chinese medicine is known as the Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine which dates back to 2500BCE. (Benjamin & Tappan, p. 313) The Oriental medical view describes how the body works in terms of it Energy, or Qi, rather than in the mechanical terms we are more familiar with the West. (Jarmey & Tindall, 1991, p. 8) This vital energy is what keeps the body active and alive. These channels of energy flow through the body according to a natural, rhythemic cycle.  This cycle is called the Chinese Body Clock.  This clock shows at which times of the day that the 12 Channels are at the peak and valley each day.    Chinese medicine also uses the idea of the Yin and Yang which explains the balance of all life and the 5 elements that show the cycles of life and how illness occurs when the body is out of harmony with this balance. The idea is that the body has  12 channels of energy that divide and supply the body with life giving energy and along these channels there are many acupoints that can be tapped into to release stagnant energy. It is believed that when these channels of energy become stagnant then illness will occur.  Acupressure uses the same acupoints used in acupuncture to balance energy along the 12 Channels or Meridians of Qi that have become stagnant. Instead of using needles the fingers are used to apply pressure to these points to reestablish balance and restore harmony with the mind, body, and spirit. People with a fear of needles may prefer accupressure, although the so called needles used in accupuncture are smaller than the tinest needle and don't have the same sensation as the needles used in the typical medical world. They look more like a very small flexable two inch wire.  Most people report that they don't even feel them go in.

Benjamin,  P. J., & Tappan, F.M. (2005).  Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques, (pp. 4, 42, 43, 58, 281, 313).  

Jarmey, C., & Tindall, J. (1991).  Acupressure for Common Ailments,  p. 8.