Pressure points are areas of the body that reflect acupressure points used in traditional Chinese medicine. These points can be used to unlock the body's energy channels and restore balance, as well as to reduce pain, improve energy levels, and even help with weight loss. But how exactly are pressure points used?You can press each point with a knuckle, thumb tip, index finger, or middle finger. It's important to start gently and then increase the pressure to your own comfort level.
Massaging the tip in a clockwise motion may also help. According to Greenfield, “You want to use deep, firm pressure, but it shouldn't hurt.”Acupressure and reflexology practitioners use pressure points in their healing treatments. By applying gentle but firm pressure at specific points along energy lines, called acupuncture points, acupressure can unlock the meridians and cause the brain to release endorphins - chemicals that dampen pain signals and invite pleasant sensations. This helps relax the muscles and improve blood flow. There are several pressure points that can be used to relieve shoulder pain, starting with one of the most commonly used points.
Each point has a combination of letters and numbers assigned to it that corresponds to its location on the body (a standard reference system used by professional acupressurists and acupuncturists), as well as a more poetic name, derived from its Chinese character and which provides information about the location or benefit of the point. The human body contains many pressure points and some people believe that pressing on these points can affect other parts of the body and overall health. In addition to relieving nausea immediately after chemotherapy, there are individual reports that acupressure also helps reduce stress, improve energy levels, relieve pain, and decrease other symptoms of cancer or its treatments. Applying pressure or using acupuncture on certain points might help relieve some common flu symptoms, such as high fever or sore throat. Practitioners of some martial arts exploit the most vulnerable pressure points of the body by beating them during battle. Acupressure is not meant to be a substitute for medical treatment, especially for a serious condition, but it is worth exploring as an adjunct to other treatments. Learn about five acupressure points that are thought to influence digestion, metabolism, and other factors related to weight loss. It is important to note that there are very few studies that support the use of pressure points to treat diseases.
People who have had blood clots before or have risk factors for blood clots should talk to their doctor before receiving acupressure or massage.
