Acupressure for Massage Therapists

Acupressure is a broad term describing a type of massage that uses finger pressure along the meridians (energy channels) of the body for the purpose of healing.

Acupressure is talked about in the Yellow Emporer's Classic of Internal Medicine which is one of the oldest Chinese Medical texts.

Acupressure is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine in which the basic premise of healing is the flow of vital energy or qi or chi through the meridians. The meridians are a complex network of energy channels that run through the body and are associated with specific internal organs and systems.

Acupressure stimulates the specific points along the meridians to increase the flow of chi. The therapist uses their fingertip, thumb, knuckle or a small tool called a tei shin which is a wooden knob with a rounded tip for applying pressure. Different techniques include pinching, pressing, pushing, rolling, friction, rubbing and stretching. The duration of pressure is varied depending on what effect is desired. Short applications of pressure will have a stimulating effect while longer pressure (up to 3 minutes) will relax.

Acupressure also addresses the muscular system and muscle tension that restricts the flow through the pressure points. It is used to restore balance to the body, relieve pain, increase circulation and relieve congestion.

There are many types of acupressure such as Tui Na and Jin Shin Do. Shiatsu, an ancient Japanese massage style that means finger pressure is also sometimes lumped into the acupressure category although it does have a big difference. Acupressure uses the pressure points of acupuncture that number 365 while Shiatsu uses Tsubos which are 660 in number. Acupressure is also somewhat lighter in pressure than Shiatsu. Shiatsu can often be painful and the points may be held longer.

Acupressure can be self administered but are best provided by a skilled and trained acupressure massage therapist.

If you know more about acupressure, have a school or book or story on how acupressure helped you recover from illness or disease, please share it in the form below.

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