Acupressure

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Acupressure (a blend of "acupuncture" and "pressure") is an alternative medicine technique predating acupuncture. In acupressure physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices.

Traditional Chinese medicine's (TCM) acupuncture theory predates use of the scientific method, and has received various criticisms based on scientific thinking. The anatomical or histological basis of acupuncture points or meridians, if they actually exist, is unknown.[1] Acupuncturists tend to perceive TCM concepts in functional rather than structural terms, i.e. as being useful in guiding evaluation and care of patients.[2][3] Neuroimaging research suggests that certain acupuncture points have distinct effects that are not otherwise predictable anatomically.[4]

Background[edit]

Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The TCM theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled "chi"). This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM .

Many East Asian martial arts also make extensive study and use of acupressure for self-defense and health purposes (chin na, tui na). The points or combinations of points are said to be used to manipulate or incapacitate an opponent. Also, martial artists regularly massage their own acupressure points in routines to remove blockages from their own meridians, claiming to thereby enhance their circulation and flexibility and keeping the points "soft" or less vulnerable to an attack.

Research[edit]

A preliminary randomized trial of Tapas Acupressure Technique found a possible weak correlation with weight loss maintenance using TAT versus Qigong or self-directed support, suggesting that TAT might outperform the other methods studied. The results were not statistically significant, but a separation test indicated that further study is warranted.[5] A full randomized trial of TAT versus standard weightloss management intervention is currently being conducted, funded by the NCCAM.[6]

An acupressure wristband that is claimed to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness and other forms of nausea provides pressure to the P6 acupuncture point, a point that has been extensively investigated.[7] The Cochrane Collaboration, a group of evidence-based medicine (EBM) reviewers, reviewed the use of P6 for nausea and vomiting, and found it to be effective for reducing post-operative nausea, but not vomiting.[8] The Cochrane review included various means of stimulating P6, including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, laser stimulation, acustimulation device and acupressure; it did not comment on whether one or more forms of stimulation were more effective. EBM reviewer Bandolier said that P6 in two studies showed 52% of patients with control having a success, compared with 75% with P6.[9] One author of an article published in the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine disagreed.[10]

A Cochrane Collaboration review found that massage provided some long-term benefit for low back pain, and said: It seems that acupressure or pressure point massage techniques provide more relief than classic (Swedish) massage, although more research is needed to confirm this.[11]

Acupressure work theory[edit]

According to the principles of TCM, qi flows through the body via 14 primary meridians or channels. To strengthen the flow of qi,or remove blockages in the meridians, an acupuncturist inserts a number of tiny, sterile, flexible needles just under the skin at certain specific points (called acupoints) along the channels. There are four to five hundred named acupoints along the meridians, some of which are associated with specific internal organs or organ systems.[12] If you are suffering from nausea, for example, needles might be inserted into acupoints on your wrist, while a vision problem might be treated with needles in the foot. (Additional ear, scalp, and hand points are also commonly used by some practitioners.) Acupuncture practitioners believe that the therapy stimulates the body’s internal regulatory system and nurtures a natural healing response.

A variant system known as two point acupressure attempts to bypass a blockage of vital flow by using one acupoint to create a link with one of the collateral meridians, and then using one additional acupoint to stimulate or reduce the flow around the obstruction.

Criticism of TCM theory[edit]

Lua error in Module:Hatnote_list at line 44: attempt to call field 'formatPages' (a nil value). Clinical use of acupressure frequently relies on the conceptual framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which some scholars have characterized as pseudoscientific. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.[1] Proponents reply that TCM is a prescientific system that continues to have practical relevance. Acupuncturists tend to perceive TCM concepts in functional rather than structural terms (e.g., as being useful in guiding evaluation and care of patients). [3]

Instruments[edit]

There are several different instruments for applying nonspecific pressure by rubbing, rolling, or applying pressure on the reflex zones of the body. The acuball is a small ball made of rubber with protuberances that is heatable. It is used to apply pressure and relieve muscle and joint pain. The energy roller is a small cylinder with protuberances. It is held between the hands and rolled back and forth to apply acupressure. The foot roller (also "krupa chakra") is a round, cylindrical roller with protuberances. It is placed on the floor and the foot is rolled back and forth over it. The Heavenly Acupressure Mat is a mat measuring 27 x 17 x 1 inches and has 8820 hard plastic spikes that you lie on to treat different areas of your body. Your back being the most common. You can also stand on the Heavenly acupressure mat for foot reflexology. The power mat (also pyramid mat) is a mat with small pyramid-shaped bumps that you walk on. The Acufit Foot Mat is a mat with acupressure points, pyramid, and magnet that you walk on. The spine roller is a bumpy roller containing magnets that is rolled up and down the spine. The Teishein is one of the original nine classical acupuncture needles described in the original texts of acupuncture. Even though it is described as an acupuncture needle it did not pierce the skin. It is used to apply rapid percussion pressure to the points being treated.[13]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Felix Mann "...acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots that a drunkard sees in front of his eyes." (Mann F. Reinventing Acupuncture: A New Concept of Ancient Medicine. Butterworth Heinemann, London, 1996,14.) Quoted by Matthew Bauer in Chinese Medicine Times [archive], Vol 1 Issue 4 - Aug 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"
  2. ↑ Kaptchuk, 1983, pp. 34-35
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology of the "acupuncture points", the definition and characterization of these points remains controversial. Even more elusive is the basis of some of the key traditional Eastern medical concepts such as the circulation of Qi, the meridian system, and the five phases theory, which are difficult to reconcile with contemporary biomedical information but continue to play an important role in the evaluation of patients and the formulation of treatment in acupuncture." Acupuncture. National Institutes of Health: Consensus Development Conference Statement, November 3–5, 1997. Available online at consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107html.htm [archive]. Retrieved 30 January 2007. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "NIH_funct" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ Pariente J, Lewith GT (2005). "Investigating acupuncture using brain imaging techniques: the current state of play" [archive]. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med - Oxford University Press. 2 (3): 315. doi:10.1093/ecam/neh110 [archive]. PMC 1193550 [archive]. PMID 16136210 [archive]. Retrieved 2007-03-06. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  5. ↑ Mist, S. (2005). "Phase I/II randomized trial of Tapas Acupressure for weightloss maintenance" [archive]. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 10: 38–9. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7166.2005.tb00508.x [archive]. Retrieved 2008-02-09. Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  6. ↑ Elder, Charles R. "Randomized Trial of Tapas Acupressure Technique for Weightloss Maintenance" [archive]. Retrieved 2008-02-11.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>[dead link]
  7. ↑ Dent HE, Dewhurst NG, Mills SY, Willoughby M. Continuous PC6 wristband acupressure for relief of nausea and vomiting associated with acute myocardial infarction: a partially randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2003 Jun ;11 (2):72-7 http://lib.bioinfo.pl/pmid:12801491 [archive]
  8. ↑ cochrane.org [archive]
  9. ↑ jr2.ox.ac.uk [archive]
  10. ↑ [1] [archive]
  11. ↑ cochrane.org [archive]
  12. ↑ pressthepoint.com pressure point mapping [archive]
  13. ↑ Sharma, Rajeev (2003). Medicina Alternativa [archive]. Alpha Science Int'l Ltd. p. 196–200. Retrieved 2009-01-05.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>

J.B. Rishi et Philippe Caza (illustrations), Sagesse de la Chine traditionnelle. Do-In : L'art du massage, 1975, 200 p. Clara Truchot, Do-In, Shiatsu : Trouver le bien-être, Le Courrier du Livre, 1980, 2005 (édition revue et augmentée), 218 p. (ISBN 978-2-7029-0514-2) Michio Kushi, Le livre du Do-In : Exercices pour le développement physique et spirituel, Guy Trédaniel, 1982, 1996, 2006, 269 p. (ISBN 978-2-84445-740-0) Laure Lorini, Tout sur le Do-In : Guide pratique de l'auto-massage chinois, Edition de Vecchi, 1986, 1999, 159 p. (ISBN 978-2-7028-3279-0) Monique Calecki et Monique Thévenet, Do-in et massage pour enfants : Je donne, je reçois, Chiron, 1989, 1994, 124 p. (ISBN 978-2-7027-0387-8) Jean-Louis Abrassart, Do-In : Un automassage de détente, Ellébore, coll. « Les chemins du corps », 1989, 1995, 2005, 2015, 254 p. (ISBN 978-2-86898-584-2) Anne Béatrice Leygues, Do In : La voie de l'énergie, L'âge Du Verseau, 1991, 1995, 1998, 197 p. Anne Béatrice Leygues, Do In, La voie de l'énergie : Un guide pratique d'automassage, Paris, Marabout, 2007, 2012, 2014, 224 p. (ISBN 978-2-501-09269-2) Antoine Di Novi, Self Shiatsu et Do In, The Book Edition 2018 (ISBN 978-2955415726) Jocelyne Aubry et Ho-Han Chang, Do-In : Guérir par l'auto-massage, Presses du Châtelet, 1995, 1997, 2005, 274 p. (ISBN 978-2-908554-49-6) Dominique Launay, Do-In : Auto massage, le bien-être au bout des doigts, Escalquens, Éditions Chariot d'or, 2009, 124 p. (ISBN 978-2-911806-89-6) François Rojas, Le Do-In : Une méthode d'auto-massage venue d'Orient, Lanore, 2013, 131 p. (ISBN 978-2-85157-713-9, lire en ligne [archive]) Rachel Eugène, Une année de bien-être avec le Do-In, Paris, Hachette, coll. « Bien-être », 2015, 256 p. (ISBN 978-2-01-396451-7)

  • Weizhong Sun, Arne Kapner: Tuina-Therapie: Atlas zur Behandlung von Erwachsenen und Kindern. Hippokrates, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-7773-1808-6.
  • Herbert Mihm: Das große Buch der Akupressur. Med.-Literarische Verlag, Uelzen 2005, ISBN 3-88136-229-0.
  • Paul U. Unschuld: Akupressur. In: Werner E. Gerabek, Bernhard D. Haage, Gundolf Keil, Wolfgang Wegner (Hrsg.): Enzyklopädie Medizingeschichte. De Gruyter, Berlin/ New York 2005, ISBN 3-11-015714-4, S. 27.
  • Wolfgang Michel-Zaitsu: Traditionelle Medizin in Japan – Von der Frühzeit bis zur Gegenwart. München: Kiener, 2017. ISBN 978-3-943324-75-4

External links[edit]


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl40JV9W1jI [archive] (7) Acupressure Points for Increased Libido - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeBV0WRNAKQ [archive] Acupressure Points for Self-Treatment - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4d2vMzFIAI [archive] (7) Acupressure for Yourself - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jgfeKGmxBs [archive] (7) Acupressure Techniques : Acupressure for Sex - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yVr_A-2FVM [archive] Acupressure Points and Erectile Dysfunction - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDctMOgdwSk [archive] (7) 10 IMPORTANT Pressure Points That Actually HEALS Your Body & Mind - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP1xt62u5r4 [archive] 3 Common Acupressure Points Everyone Should Know (Pain, Stress, Energy) - YouTube

https://takecontrol.substack.com/p/eft-anxiety-and-stress [archive]

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