Ways Acupressure Promote Your Health and Well-Being

Lisa Franchi January 09, 2015

Acupressure is one of the oldest therapies that are still being used today. It has been used for centuries in treating the body and mind. And many people swear by its healing benefits.

Acupressure is similar with acupuncture, only that it doesn’t involve needles. It basically includes applying pressure to certain body points, called ‘acupressure points’. It is believed to fix the energy flow (or chi) in the body, which results to pain reduction, relaxation, and better health.

Pain Reduction

If you’re looking for a drug-free way of dealing with your pain issues, you can try acupressure. The pain reduction benefit of this therapy is very impressive, and is backed with scientific research. Acupressure points refer to the places on the skin that are especially sensitive to bioelectrical impulses in the body and conduct those impulses readily. Stimulating these points with pressure, stimulates the release of endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers. Because acupressure inhibits the pain signals sent to the brain through a mild, fairly painless stimulation, the process is often described as closing the "gates" of the pain-signalling system, which in turn prevent painful sensations from passing through the spinal cord to the brain. Acupressure also helps in dissolving tensions and stresses, which contribute to pain and fatigue symptoms.

Relaxation & Anxiety Relief

In addition to blocking tension, acupressure may also restore the body’s inner harmony, leading to feelings of relaxation. Since tension is blocked, this therapy is effective in boosting blood flow, which promotes energy and alleviates fatigue.

Emotional Pain Relief

Not only does acupressure aid chronic pain, it also helps relieve emotional pain. Emotional stress causes the body to shut down, which keeps negative feelings stuck, resulting in emotional imbalances. Acupressure allows the body to release tension and restore the flow of vital energy, which results to improvement in mood and better sense of well-being.

Better Sex

Ancient Chinese Sexology believes stimulating acupressure points improves one’s sex life by fortifying arousal, boosting sexual endurance, and enhancing sexual pleasure. There are actually several acupressure points that can be targeted to reap such benefits.

Improvement in Overall Health

Acupressure is highly effective in treating conditions such as stress, sleeplessness, congestion of the chest due to cold or flu, and constipation. Furthermore, acupressure massage therapy has been shown to help women deal with postmenstrual trauma, menopause and pregnancy by alleviating the symptoms of these conditions like irritability, pains during periods, mood swings, hot flushes and back pain, nausea and more. Acupressure is good for athletes too, as well as those who are working out. It can provide relief from frozen shoulders, unexplained backaches, osteoarthritis, slipped disc and other disorders affecting the tissues, bones, joints and muscles.

Through a variety of acupressure techniques, the ‘chi’ is able to flow and rebalance, which facilitates greater overall health.