Acupressure: A Frugal and Natural Healing Therapy

Image by prettydaisies via Flickr

We live in a tense, high-pressure world, causing stress that can wreak havoc with our health and well-being. We suffer insomnia, tension headaches, eye strain, back and neck pain, allergies and a host of other discomforts, sometimes on a daily basis.

It is impractical and costly to constantly run to the doctor for tension-related ailments. Medicines meant to alleviate the symptoms can have side-effects that leave you feeling worse! Constant reliance on these substances can even cause drug-dependency.

In my opinion, it is far better to seek drug-free ways to restore health and maintain your body's natural state of emotional and physical wellness. Acupressure is one method that is really helpful in this area.It is easy to do, requires no special equipment and has no serious side-effects. You can use it on people of all ages, and even your pets!

Following you will find some general information, obligatory common-sense “warnings” and a few resources to help you understand, apply and benefit from this natural therapy.

What is acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses pressure on key trigger points on the surface of the skin to relax muscles, increase blood flow and to free up “chi,” the body's natural energy. Stimulation of key points on the body can relieve the symptoms of many ailments, and restore physical and emotional balance.

How is it done?

In acupressure, a brief, probing pressure is applied to a trigger point using a fingertip, knuckle, or eraser at the end of a pencil. The point is stimulated or massaged for 15 to 30 seconds. When the right point is located, you may feel a brief twinge of pain or soreness, which quickly turns to a numbing sensation or tingling radiating from the area. Some people perspire, belch, feel their sinuses drain, or experience a release of tension. Sometimes different effects are felt on opposite sides of the body. Some points seem to give quicker relief than others. Experiment and use the points you feel are the most helpful to you.

What are possible areas I need to be warned about?

Acupressure is not intended to replace medical help. It is best used as a complimentary treatment.

It shouldn't be done right before, or within 20 minutes of eating a large meal, bathing or engaging in heavy exercise.

It should be avoided by pregnant women, and those with heart trouble.

Of course, you shouldn't apply pressure to, nor massage a point where there is a varicose vein, break in the skin, mole, wart, or any kind of bruising or injury.

For more information and basic instructions, visit these helpful websites:

http://www.acupressure.com

http://med.stanford.edu/personal/pointfinder/


youtube videos

back pain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exxVsJm9WEE&feature=channel

depression
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqbG84Zat_U&feature=related

migraine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nG0DTtL2jc&feature=PlayList&p=3F9384A4F10E1A29&playnext_from=PL

neck pain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q3E-b7JJgE&feature=related

sinus pain and congestion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glpQlCU2LDI

stress
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g58pcNCC34&NR=1


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com