Acupressure is an ancient healing technique that is related to acupuncture. Acupressure is usually given in the same style as traditional massage and can be performed sitting, standing, or lying down. It applies pressure by using fingers, thumbs, hands, elbows, knees, feet, or devices on the surface of the body at specific points to stimulate the body’s natural healing ability. These are the same points that acupuncture uses, but acupuncture employs the use of needles. There are different styles of acupressure that vary rhythms and the amount of pressure used. Shiatsu, a Japanese form of acupressure meaning finger "shi" and pressure "atsu". Shiatsu uses a vigorous firm pressure lasting around five seconds but can also incorporate massage, stretching, and other various manual techniques. Shiatsu practitioners most commonly address musculoskeletal conditions with the lower back, neck, and shoulder. Tui Na which is a form of Chinese bodywork meaning "push-grasp" or "poke-pinch". The practitioner may press, tap, knead, brush, knuckle, or rollto remove blockages and get energy moving in the body. Tui Na’s deep tissues work is considered too vigorous for a relaxing recreational massage. Jin Shin is a gentile, simple, non invasive style of acupressure or more accurately referred to as "acutouch". It is a way to open up the body’s energy flow by using a very gentile touch on specific points. The touch, which last for one to five minutes, uses a least two or more points at the same time. It is a conduit between practitioner and client, allowing the energy to circulate between the two. The person receiving the treatment is an integral part of the process and is instructed to subconsciously direct how the energy is used.
The History of Acupressure
Acupressure is quite popular in differnent parts of the world and has been around for a number of years. However, there is no known basis for its beginnings, but it is believed to have been in existence before acupuncture. Though the following relates to the history of acupuncture it would be a safe assumption that the two developed along similar paths. It is hypothesized that the beginnings of acupuncture could reach as far back as the Old Stone Age in China (over 10,000 years ago). During this time knives were made from stone and used for certain medical procedures. The New Stone Age (approximately 10,000 - 4,000 years ago) sharp needle like rocks called Bian Stone where used to treat diseases. Evidence of these stone needles where found in excavations of Chinese ruins dating back to this time period. The earliest Chinese text describing Acupuncture is the Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) compiled around 305-204 B.C. and consist of two parts. The first part called the Su Wen (Plain Questions) deals with subject matter like anatomy, physiology, pathology, prevention and treatment. The second part called the Ling Shu ( Miraculous Pivot, Spiritual Axis) deals mainly with Acupuncture. It describes the acupuncture meridians, nine types of needles, the location of one hundred and sixty acupuncture points, a variety of techniques, and different types of Chi (Qi) energy. As recent as one hundred years before Christ, discoveries revealed the use of Bronze, Silver, and Gold needles.
Acupuncture experienced much growth during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907 A.D.). It was during this time that practitioners were called Acupuncturists, schools appeared and it became a special branch of medicine. Later during the Song Dynasty (950-1270 A.D.) the well known physician Wang Weiyi wrote a book describing six hundred and fifty seven acupuncture points and cast two bronze statues engraved with meridians and points that were used for teaching. However, it was the Ming Dynasty (1566-1644 A.D.) that is credited with the real advancement of Acupuncture. Many developments took place during this enlighten period such as: refinements of techniques, revisions of manuals, the accomplishment of an one hundred and twenty volume encyclopedia (Principle and Practiceof Medicine written by the physician Wang Gendung), the development of the Moxa sticks and the introduction of Acupuncture into Europe.
The early Chinese Communist Party suppressed Classical forms of Chinese Medicine, declaring them as superstitious and irrational. Acupuncture was among those modalities that no longer seemed to fit with the Party’s vision. It wasn’t until later that Chairman Mao declared Chinese Medicine to be a "great treasure house and efforts should be made to explore them and raise them to higher level." Information about the theories and practices of Chinese medicine were then collected and studied. From this effort Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was created as a formalized system. In 1950 Chairman Mao officially united Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine, and acupuncture became established in many hospitals. Today acupuncture and acupressure continues to play an important role in China's medical system and China has taken the lead in researching all aspects of acupuncture's clinical effects. Since many of acupressure's techniques are used in conjunction with traditional massage its practice had a smoother acceptance into the American culture than its counterpart acupuncture.
How Does Acupressure Work?
There has been a great deal of research designed to answer this question, yet no clear and simple explanation has emerged. However, there are a variety of theories that attempt to explain the mechanism of acupuncture and acupressure. The classical Chinese explanation says the body consist of channels of energy running throughout it called meridians. These meridians are like rivers flowing through the body which energize, irrigate and nourish the tissues. Each meridian is related to and named after an organ or function but not directly associated with them. The twelve main meridians are the lung, kidney, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, heart, urinary bladder, small intestines, large intestines, liver, triple heater, and pericardium. The meridians are the same on both sides of the body (paired). There are an additional eight channels that are considered to be reservoirs supplying energy and blood to the main twelve ones. Along these channels are specific locations "points" where the meridians come close to the surface of the skin and are easily accessible. Historically these points were believed to be holes that allowed entry into the channels providing gateways to influence and restore the body’s vital energy (Qi) by "needling", Moxibustion, or pressure. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure aims to restore the normal flow of life energy by means of pressure, stretching, massage and other techniques.
Everything is comprised of Qi (Chi), pronounced "Chee," including all matter right down to the atom and molecule. Qi is referred to as the natural energy of the universe which enables us to do all things. According to the Chinese healing model, health is optimized when the body's Qi is freely flowing. When it becomes blocked, stagnated, or weakened we begin to experience pain, disease and other physical problems. To complicate matters toxins begin to build up causing stiffness in muscles while putting pressure on the nerves, blood vessels and the lymph system. This pressure begans to affect both the musculoskeletal system and the functioning of the internal organs.
Imbalances can occur from a variety of reasons such as emotional causes like excess anger, over-excitement, self-pity, grief, fear, or stress. It can be environmental factors such as cold, humidity, wind, dampness, dryness, work related, life styles, or diet. Qi is prevalent throughout nature as well and is expressed in two parts (Yin and Yang). The meaning of Yin and Yang are expressed in opposite forces working together to create harmony and balance (as seen in its symbol). When these forces are unbalanced as described above we see problems and disease in humans. Yin is described by female attributes passive, dark, cold, moist and Yang by the male attributes of light, warm, active, and dry. Therefore, Chinese Yin and Yang are opposites that make the whole, nothing being completely one or the other. Everything and everybody consists of varying degrees of these two forces and the interplay between the two makes life possible. The balanced interplay allows our Qi energy to flow freely giving us life and longevity by energizing, irrigating and nourishing the body's tissues and organs. For more information see our book store.
Benefits of Acupressure
Scientific research for acupressure and acupuncture has grown significantly over the past 5 years. While both have their roots in Ancient History, they are still relatively new as far as scientific reasearch is concerned. This also is true for the whole energy healing field- especially here in the West. Some of the benefits of acupressure (some but not all are support by science).
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Acupressure is an ancient healing technique that is related to 
There has been a great deal of research designed to answer this question, yet no clear and simple explanation has emerged. However, there are a variety of theories that attempt to explain the mechanism of acupuncture and acupressure. The classical Chinese explanation says the body consist of channels of energy running throughout it called meridians. These meridians are like rivers flowing through the body which energize, irrigate and nourish the tissues. Each meridian is related to and named after an organ or function but not directly associated with them. The twelve main meridians are the lung, kidney, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, heart, urinary bladder, small intestines, large intestines, liver, triple heater, and pericardium. The meridians are the same on both sides of the body (paired). There are an additional eight channels that are considered to be reservoirs supplying energy and blood to the main twelve ones. Along these channels are specific locations "points" where the meridians come close to the surface of the skin and are easily accessible. Historically these points were believed to be holes that allowed entry into the channels providing gateways to influence and restore the body’s vital energy (Qi) by "needling", Moxibustion, or pressure. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure aims to restore the normal flow of life energy by means of pressure, stretching, massage and other techniques.
