Acupressure: relieve discomfort with finger pressure

acupressure-relieve-discomfort-with-finger-pressure

Acupressure has developed from acupuncture and, like these, is a method of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While classical acupuncture uses needles, acupressure stimulates the acupuncture points by finger pressure.

Various techniques such as brushing, rubbing or kneading can be used. The acupressure is well suited for self-treatment , if you know the corresponding acupuncture points. A special Japanese development of acupressure is Shiatsu .

How does acupressure work?

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the idea of ​​a body of energy in predetermined paths, called meridians, flowing through the energy “Qi”. The individual energy channels (meridians) are each assigned specific organs or organ systems. Diseases develop after the presentation of TCM , when the free flow of body energies is blocked or in imbalance. Negative influences such as stress, pressure, lack of exercise, unbalanced diet or climatic influences (heat, cold) can play a decisive role here.

By stimulating certain energy points on the meridians – for example by means of acupressure – the energy flow should be normalized and the body should be stimulated to heal itself.

That’s what conventional medicine says about acupressure

Scientific methods can not prove the existence of Qi and meridians. Nevertheless, there are some positive experiences with the practical application of acupressure. In China, it is a common method of self-treatment for everyday problems such as tension, headache and back pain or digestive problems.

In Western Europe, acupressure is offered to treat ailments and diseases. Also from conventional medicine there are some plausible explanatory models for the effect of acupressure. Among other things, the pressure massage can lead to a stimulation of muscles and nerves and thereby cause a relaxation of the muscles and a release of analgesic messengers . Pain can be relieved in this way, blood circulation and overall well-being improved.

Compared to acupuncture , however, there are only a few studies devoted to the effectiveness of acupressure. Although some studies point to positive effects on nausea and vomiting of various causes, but experts do not yet judge these results as sufficient proof of effect due to methodological deficiencies.

No refund by health insurance

Due to the lack of reliable data on the efficacy of acupressure, the procedure is currently not part of the reimbursable standard benefits of the statutory health insurance funds.

When can acupressure be used?

Common areas of application of acupressure are primarily disorders of the musculoskeletal system (muscles, tendons or nerve tracts) as well as other physical and mental complaints. Acupressure is mainly used to treat everyday problems and dysfunctions – in the case of injuries to organs and tissue structures, acupressure is not used.

Acupressure is traditionally used among others in:

  • immune deficiency
  • a headache
  • Back and neck pain
  • toothache
  • menstrual cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, motion sickness
  • fatigue
  • Circulatory disorders
  • difficulty concentrating
  • sleep disorders
  • Muscle tension, cramps, abnormal sensations
  • Emotional imbalance, restlessness, stress
  • Bedwetting and soaking
  • high blood pressure

Acupressure treatment and self-treatment

Acupressure is considered a gentler form of acupuncture and is less painful. Before a session, the practitioner details the symptoms and other personal factors to select the appropriate acupressure points. Depending on whether the treatment should be stimulating or soothing, the acupressure uses various printing techniques. The acupressure is very suitable for self-treatment.

During the treatment, the patient lies on a comfortable massage pad, while the acupressure massages the selected body points or larger meridian areas, sometimes also pain points on tight muscles, with special finger techniques and exerts varying degrees of pressure. Depending on which symptoms are treated, different techniques, such as pressing, tapping, rubbing, circling, brushing, kneading, twisting or vibrating can be used.

The possibilities of acupressure – stimulate, calm, harmonize

Basically, three types of energetic treatment can be differentiated in acupressure. To stimulate an only gentle, superficially noticeable pressure is exercised. Powerful, repeated pressing and rubbing, on the other hand, has a calming effect (in case of energy build-up or energetic fullness). To harmonize, for example, in disturbed organ functions or for prevention, the acupressure applies an average pressure strength, for example, rubbing the corresponding acupuncture points or meridian sections gently and evenly.

Duration of treatment and recurrence

An acupressure treatment lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, with each point being massaged for approximately five seconds to two minutes. For children and weaker people shorter treatment time should be chosen. As a rule, ten to twelve sessions take place, depending on the specific problem, about once or twice a week.

Who performs acupressure and what does it cost?

The acupressure is usually performed by alternative practitioners, masseurs or physiotherapists who have acquired a corresponding additional qualification (for example, in courses at private naturopathic or acupuncture schools). There are no generally binding regulations for the training. Participation in appropriate courses is often possible even without prior medical knowledge. Unlike acupuncture, acupressure is not part of the physicians treatment. The cost of a session depends on the training, you have to expect 20 to 50 euros.

Self-treatment through acupressure and important acupuncture points

The acupressure has low side effects and can be carried out without any aids. It is therefore particularly good for self-treatment, If you know important acupressure points and basic techniques of massage , you can get relief for various ailments.  

The following body points are suitable for self-treatment in:

  • Headache and backache, migraine : forcefully squeeze and / or massage the point in the skin fold (“flea skin”) between thumb and forefinger vigorously for one to two minutes with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand.
  • Nausea (also in pregnancy) and travel sickness: On the inside of the forearm, about three fingers below the wrist crease between the palpable tendons: This point is massaged with the fingertips of the other hand for about two minutes, so that a feeling of pressure is palpable. The massage should be repeated several times with ten-minute breaks.
  • Shoulder or neck pain, nervousness and bowel problems: The appropriate point is called “Small Intestine 3.” If you make a fist, you can find it on the outside of the hand just below the small finger joint.This point is pressed for one to two minutes with the thumb or thumbnail.
  • Fatigue and Sleep Disorders: An acupressure point against these symptoms is located on the sole of the foot in the depression between the two soles of the plantar front. Circling movements on the right are stimulating (against tiredness), in the other direction they are sleep-inducing.

When to be careful with acupressure

When used professionally, there are few risks or side effects associated with acupressure . Incorrect use, such as the wrong printing technique, may cause bruising. Therefore, it is important and advisable to be treated only by trained acupressure or to learn the self-treatment under expert guidance.

Tired of acupressure?

Relatively often after the acupressure fatigue occurs, which is quite normal and shows that something has happened in the body. As a result, responsiveness and driving ability may be impaired. It is advisable to schedule the treatment in such a way that you no longer need to drive or work immediately afterwards.

For pathological enlargement ( varicose veins ) and inflammation of superficial veins (thrombophlebitis), the acupressure should be done with great caution. Lymphatic areas such as the throat, the area around the ears, groin, armpits and chest should be gently massaged.

Acupressure in pregnancy and in children

In order to avoid the onset of contractions , acupuncture on acupuncture points, which can affect the abdomen, should generally not be used during pregnancy. Even in infants acupressure must be done with caution. In addition, shorter treatment times than adults are to be set.

As a general rule, persistent complaints without a clear cause should always be diagnosed by a physician to identify any underlying serious medical conditions that require conventional medical treatment.

When the acupressure should not be used

Acupressure is a very safe, low-side-effect procedure. In some cases, however, this must be avoided. The main contraindications include:

  • Skin diseases and burns, injuries and inflammations of the skin or skin lesions such as liver spots , warts or ulcers. (Acupressure should only be performed on healthy skin!)
  • Severe infectious diseases, for example tuberculosis , diphtheria
  • lymphadenopathy
  • Cancers, for example, tumors in the lymphoid tissue (lymphoma), leukemia
  • Severe cardiovascular diseases
  • Increased bleeding tendency (haemorrhagic diathesis) and taking anticoagulant drugs (anticoagulants)
  • osteoporosis
  • Great tiredness, for example after consuming alcohol or drugs
  • problem pregnancies