Hi I'm Gon Kim. I am the clinical director here at Korea Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic. I get asked this question a lot. "What are the top benefits of acupressure?"
Acupressure is a form of alternative medicine in which the practitioner uses his or her hands to apply pressure to points on the body. Acupressure is based on the belief that energy flows through the body in lines called meridians, and that by applying pressure to these points, you can unblock the energy flow and thus treat health problems.
Treatments usually last from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the nature of your condition and how many acupressure points are being used. The treatment may be done with or without massage oil.
The benefits of acupressure have been researched, with some studies supporting its effectiveness in treating pain and anxiety. However, most studies have been small and haven't used a control group or double-blind design.
There are different schools of thought about what exactly happens when acupressure is practiced — for example, whether it works by stimulating nerves or by affecting blood flow to an area of pain or by releasing natural opiates from the brain.
Acupressure may help relieve symptoms of some conditions, such as headaches and back pain, but there's currently little evidence that it can treat other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Acupuncture has been around for over 3,000 years and is often used in conjunction with acupressure. The word acupressure comes from the Latin words "acus" (needle) and "pungere" (to prick), which together mean to prick with a needle. Acupressure points are located on meridians throughout the body, where energy flows through our bodies. By applying pressure at specific points along these meridians, you can unblock energy flow and balance your body.
Acupressure is often used as a complementary treatment by those seeking relief from pain or stress-related tension headaches. It can also be used as preventive care to help strengthen your immune system and prevent illness or injury before they happen. There are many health benefits associated with acupressure:
Relief from headaches and migraines: Acupressure has been shown to relieve pain in the head, neck and shoulders by stimulating blood flow to these areas of the body. It's believed that this relieves muscle tension which can cause headaches or migraines by constricting blood vessels in your body.
So, if you still have questions regarding acupressure, or would like to give it a try, I encourage you to call my clinic and schedule a session. Most of our patients experience relief from just 1-2 sessions!