ACUPRESSURE
WHAT IS IT?
Acupressure involves pressing on certain points of the body to relieve pain. It is like acupuncture because it uses the same "acupoints" for treatment, but it does not include the use of needles.
Acupressure is a type of highly localized massage. Firm finger pressure is applied to a specific point for several minutes. More than one point may be used in a single treatment. Although acupressure can be learned and used individually, it is often given by trained acupressure or acupuncture practitioners. Because there are many acupoints, it takes time to learn them all and to know which should be used to treat specific problems.
WILL IT HELP?
Some people claim acupressure can effectively treat arthritis, obesity, and other problems. Others say it can prevent illness by maintaining a proper balance among body organs and systems, although this is not a scientific idea.
Studies show that acupressure does control pain and relieve nausea. Like acupuncture and some other hands-on therapies, acupressure may stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Exactly how it may work remains uncertain.
Acupressure does not work for everyone, however. Acupressure should never be used near varicose veins, suspected broken bones or on the abdominal area during pregnancy. It should not be used near wounds or open sores.
Certainly it should not be used instead of conventional medical approaches for illness.
MASSAGE THERAPY
WHAT IS IT?
Massage has been called "the healing touch." It is thought almost universally to be a beneficial therapy. It is helpful not only physically but emotionally as well, because it soothes the soul and the mind.
Technically, massage means to manipulate the body's muscles and soft tissue for therapeutic purposes, typically by rubbing or kneading. The purpose is to stimulate nerves and increase blood flow, which relaxes muscles and relieves stress. Using the hands, therapists apply rhythmic pressure.
Massage therapy is a systematized way of rubbing or kneading the body's soft tissue to make it feel better. Over the years and in different cultures, several distinct types of massage have been developed. The most common type in the United States today is Swedish massage. Some of the many different types of massage are listed below:
