Free Custom «The Study of Acupressure Therapy» Essay Paper

Being a traditional technique of Chinese origin, acupressure is used to treat various types of diseases. Acupressure therapy is widely used in Asian countries like Japan, China, Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, India and others. It is the science and art that restore the balance of natural energy, and is often included in massage therapy trainings. Acupressure has been practiced for several centuries and has proven its benefits and is based on the concept of life force and energy.

During the session of acupressure, a trained practitioner presses specific points on the body with the help of special devices, elbows, palms, knuckles, fingers, hands, ad even feet. The pressure is usually held for several seconds to several minutes and may be applied in pushing or circular movements, or a combination of them. It can be done every other day or several times a day depending on the condition of a patient. The aim of this procedure is to improve the circulation of energy in the body at the same time alleviating pain.

Recent studies which have been conducted to investigate the acupressure use have shown that acupressure therapy may bring temporary relief of headache pain and nausea. It is explaied by the fact that applying pressure to specific points may cause the release of a greater number of endorphins in the brain which act as natural painkillers.

The acupressure therapy has proved to have a lot of benefits as it is used to cure a variety of conditions and disorders. This kind of therapy is used to treat a variety of disorders and conditions, it helps to cope with stress, get a physical relief, and avoid arthritic spasms and muscular distress. Representatives of Asian countries use it to control pain especially in cases when patients suffer from a slipped disc, disorders of bones, muscles or tissue, osteoarthritis, pain in the neck and arms, and backaches. Acupressure is widely used to relieve pain caused by athletics and sports. Recent studies have shown that this therapy is very useful and shows good results while treating people with neurological disorders as it eases stressed and stiff limbs among partially disables patients.

One of the most positive sides of this therapy is that it may be used to treat different age and gender groups. It may be also used to treat children if they suffer from stress, constipation, bed wetting, sleeplessness, congestion of the chest caused by cold and many other diseases and conditions.

In order to avoid unexpected or negative results the practitioner should not press any area in a forceful and abrupt way. Abdominal points should also be used very carefully, especially when you are ill, suffer from tuberculosis, leukemia, intestinal cancer, or have cardiac conditions. You have to be especially careful during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be especially careful with the most points on the legs and between the index finger and the thumb. Acupressure points that are situated near or on the person’s eye need to be treated only with a finger or thumb when the eyes are closed. As the area of the throat, outer breast and groin are very sensitive, they can be touched only very gently or not pressed at all. It is forbidden to press on infected areas, serious burns, ulcerous conditions, recently formed scars, a month after the operation or injury (Acupressure Precautions).

If your body has a wound or bruises the practitioner should work around them using only gentle pressure. The heat of the body lowers after the acupressure session, body resistance to cold is lower as well, so your body becomes more vulnerable and need additional warmth. You have to put on warm clothes after the procedure of acupressure.

Acupressure must be avoided on the areas of the skin which are inflamed, sprained or broken. During the procedure of acupressure the person should be relaxed and happy. Drug and alcohol addicted people should not be treated with acupressure, and it is advisable not to consume cold and hot drink during the treatment period and directly after taking a bath.

There are cases when acupressure elicits a sexual response, it means that the treatment is performed incorrectly, is considered to be not therapeutic and performed on the wrong wavelength.

Patients do not have to misuse acupressure as it can never be used instead of medical advice or treatment. And can not substitute medical supervision. Very often acupressure performance is not productive and can cause weakening of the body and produce toxins. The maximum frequency of acupressure therapy is twice a day, but only in cases when it is really needed.

Acupressure is a very useful way of preventing care. The technique of pressure which elicits pain gives opportunity to reveal some problems with health before they develop into serious diseases. Of course a palpation can con reflect a disease or syndrome, but it can be a sigh that indicates that not all good in the same way preventing the condition from progressing. Acupressure is not a means which assists in activating our body potential of innate healing. The goal of acupressure treatment is a state of balance and wellness as health is not only a unity of entities as blood pressure, chemical level of blood and so on, but also the balance of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state.