Varying rhythms, pressures, and techniques create different styles of acupressure. Shiatsu, for instance, the most well-known style of acupressure, can be quite vigorous, with firm pressure applied to each point for three to five seconds, while the Jin Shin style of acupressure gently holds at least two points at once for a minute or more. Tuina (TuiNa) Chinese and Thai Massagebody
work rigorously stimulates the healing energy (Qi) in the points, while western Swedish Oil Massage is more soothing.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.
Acupressure Meridians
Meridian is a word borrowed from geography indicating a thin line joining a series of ordered points. There are 12 main meridians, one assigned to each of the five organs, the six bowels, and the pericardium or heart constrictor. Qi flows through channels located near the surface of the body. Another name for channels is meridians, or meridian points. There are 12 channels linked to specific organs, such as the liver, heart, and kidneys. Acupoints, or pressure points are located on the channels (meridians). When precise pressure is exerted onto an acupoint, the gate is opened and qi flows through.
Energy Work & Reiki The most potent energy work uses acupressure points. Energy (know as Chi or Qi) flows most freely when you touch, press, or hold the acupressure points. Healing pressure points are the gateways to the body's life energy force. This universal energy source is also the basis of traditional Martial Arts self-defense techniques and traditional healing art practices. The flow of this vital healing energy governs blood circulation, the function and balance of the human body. Studying the location and how to touch acupuncture points is key to transformational energy work, therapeutic touch, and massage therapy. Learn how to heal the body by sending life energy (Reiki) through the acupressure points. Channeling Reiki energy through the acupressure points can enable you to tap into Traditional Chinese Medicine’s tremendous wealth of ancient healing knowledge – that’s point specific.
Acupressure and pregnancy
Acupressure is a holistic system that builds on what the body is already doing right. In this way, the use of acupressure can be remarkably beneficial during pregnancy. Acupressure helps to ease morning sickness, gives drug-free back pain relief and may be used to induce labor of a full-time pregnancy. The potential for this kind of response, it is important that you know a thing or two about what you are doing, and not attempt certain acupressure techniques until after your due date so as not to trigger labor prematurely.
