Acupressure Massage- Understanding the practice
The human body is presumed to have over 200 pressure points in the body that are linked with the anatomy. The idea is to add pressure to these points enough to let it sink deep into the muscles and relieve tension from the body. It is an ancient form of integrative therapy started in Asian cultures.
Acupressure massage, thus, is the Asian art form of using pressure on points to relieve the unwanted kinks and pain from the body. Consequently, it improves the circulation of blood in the body.
How it works?
The pressure points are mainly found on your hands, feet and spine! These points are believed to be connected to pathways that run throughout our bodies. These pathways are more commonly known as meridians.
Meridians are like blood vessels. The blood vessels provide a pathway for the blood to flow through and reach all areas of the body. Similarly, meridians act as channels that circulate electrical energy through the body. For their brilliant networking capabilities, these channels are seen as the master of communication between pressure points and internal organs.
With this in mind, the practitioner gently presses these points, which triggers the release of “endorphins” in the body while letting the energy flow through the meridians. Endorphins are hormones that help relieve pain. As a result, the pain is halted and there is a significant increase of blood and oxygen to this point. Thereupon, the muscles begin to relax and begin healing.
Benefits of Acupressure Massage
Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 2017, published a study 3 minutes of acupressure vs no acupressure on sports injury. In conclusion, the study favoured the use of acupressure to relieve pain. Many other research studies by M.D.s May Loo, Greta Kuphal, Michelle Mertz, etc have found the following benefits of acupressure massage:
- Relieving stress and tension
- Improving quality of sleep
- Relaxing muscles and joints
- Soothing the pain and any discomfort of an injury or illness
- Reducing digestive problems
- Pain relief from headaches
- Alleviating chronic pain
- Relief from chronic nausea
- Labour pain management, etc
Acupressure Massage Therapy- at home sequence
massProblem: Stress
Pressure point: Inner Pass Point
- Gently place your hand on a table or cushion in front of you
- Let your palm face the ceiling and the fingers be pointed upwards
- Thereupon, place three fingers from your wrist to your forearm; horizontally
- Finally, mark the acupressure massage point with a thumb, below the fingers
- Press your inner pass point for 5 to 10 seconds and continue for 10 rounds
- Instantly, replicate the same in the other hand
Problem: Headaches & Migraine
Pressure point: Bigger Rushing
- Let your foot rest in front of you with support beneath it to hold for a longer time
- Mark your acupressure massage point slightly below the “V” between your first and second toe
- Press your Bigger Rushing point upto 10 seconds and continue for 10 rounds
- Lastly, imitate the same on the other leg
Problem: Sinus pain
Pressure point: Taiyang
- Mark your acupressure massage point on both sides of your head in alignment with your eyes
- Gently press this point for relief from sinus pain
- Rubbing your fingers in circular motions help trigger this point faster
- Carry on for 10 to 15 rounds
Many a times we try to remove the kinks in our body with an intuitive self massage, unknowingly using acupressure to release the pain. In effect, we often feel very good after the massage. Ultimately, acupressure massage can restore the body’s balance and gives it a renewed harmony. It basically allows your to carry on with your daily activities without the unnecessary discomfort.
References:
1. Science Direct| Acupressure an overview
2. Mary Loo | Integrative medicine for children