Acupressure and acupuncture have been practiced in Asia for thousands of years, but only gained wider acceptance in the West recently. Traditional Asian medicine has always emphasizes personal responsibility for one's health and living lifestyle.

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork technique that claims that pressure on specific points on the body can relieve numerous ailments and pain. Acupressure involves applying physical pressure, by a finger, hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices. Pressure is applied on different parts on the surface of the body to bring about relief through greater balance and circulation of energies in the body. Classical acupressure has been reported to treat different conditions including musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, and nervous system disorders.

Acupressure is a technique for diagnosing and treating diseases based on energy imbalances. The system requires no drugs or surgery. This principle philosophy is based on the existence of different meridians (energy levels) that flow throughout the body. These meridians interact with the nervous system and other organs of the body. Besides physical illness, the system also plays a role in the modulation of mental disorders. Deficient or excess or deficient energy in these channels are responsible for the ailments. Acupressure improves the energy flow by unblocking the various channels in the body system and achieves a balanced harmony. The digital massage is also known to release the muscle spasms and allow for toxin removal and movement of blood. The detoxification of the body leads to a gradual improvement in functioning of the organ systems.

Acupressure massage therapy stimulates and activates the body’s own energies to help fight illness and restore harmony. Some of the acupressure points are significant as they relate to a specific part of the body while others are more general in their effect. IT has been accepted as a safe, effective and painless technique to help individuals with various ailments. It is claimed that having acupressure once a week, decreases the chance of developing many illnesses.

Acupressure is usually performed in a clinic or doctor’s office. Acupressure is typically performed while the individual is sitting, lying or standing up. Various points on the body are massaged using the finger or thumb, and sometimes one may use a blunt instrument. The digital pressure is applied in a circular motion with mild to moderate pressure. The duration of the acupressure lasts about 15-25 minutes. Variations along the finger maneuver include use of the hands, elbows, feet or knees.

Acupressure has been known to be effective in the treatment of various pain syndromes, headaches, insomnia, depression, toothache, dizziness, menstrual pain, digestive disorders including diarrhea and constipation, nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, stress and fatigue. As a preventive therapy there is a good chance that some illnesses will be caught very early as a result of acupressure treatment.

Acupressure is meant to supplement conventional medical care and not a replacement. Acupressure should be done after seeking professional medical advice.

Acupressure should not be used to replace standard conventional emergency medical procedures or to treat conditions which have been proven to be effectively treated with conventional medicine. Acupressure should not be used when.

• Patient has an acute emergency medical condition
• If patient is having a heart attack
• If there is a large surface area of skin involved with a rash, burn or a bruise
• During the last trimester of pregnancy