Acupressure is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique that has a similar background and is based upon the same principles as acupuncture. The central aim is to aid healing by stimulating the body's own natural ability to cure itself.
Basically$, acupressure is used as a means of therapy and entails applying physical pressure to various pressure points of the body. Pressure can be applied by hands$, elbows or with specific implements.
Pressure is applied to points located along meridian lines. Treatment is applied to pressure points depending on a patients symptoms$, althought the pressure points that are worked on may be distant from the symptomatic areas of pain.
By applying pressure to certain points balance to the body systems can be restored. This is achieved by helping the circulation of blood$, lymph and other body fluids and by balancing body energy or qi (life energy/life force). By treating the body in this way balance is restored and both acute and chronic injuries and diseases can be treated.
Some martial art genres also use the principles of acupresure in attacking techniques and are aware of the benefits of acupressure in keeping fit and strong.
As well as pressure techniques$, acupressure can also encompass the technique of cupping. This involoves the use of glass$, plastic or bamboo cups to create a vacuum. The cups are placed over various points on the body – usually the back – to treat stagnation. Cupping has been used to treat respiratory diseases such and musculoskeletal pain – particularly neck$, back and shoulder injuries and pain.