The form of massage therapy is used for everything from immune support to anxiety relief.
Annotated charts of human anatomy can make acupressure seem pretty complex, and it is.
But it’s also very accessible in that almost anyone can start a self-practice.
Here’s what you should know.
What is acupressure therapy?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, people have meridians or channels throughout the body.
Qi, which is understood as a life-sustaining energy force, runs along those meridians.
What is acupressure used for?
There are hundreds of acupressure points on the body, corresponding to other parts of the body.
(For example, there’s a point on your hand for your kidney.)
So, naturally, the practice has many associated benefits.
Should you opt for acupuncture or acupressure?
Acupuncture, which happens to be pretty buzzy among the wellness set RN, stems from acupressure.
They’re based on the same meridian system and are used to achieve similar results.
Where should beginners start?
If they have, they’ll likely be knowledgeable in acupressure.
(E.g., counterclockwise pressure to reduce jitters, or clockwise to aid digestion.)
All you need is your hands, but products can help with hard-to-reach spots.
Thuroff says that a tennis ball, a golf ball, ora Thera Canecan be helpful in some cases.
Doto is a fan of the acupressure mat.
“You walk on pointy, plastic pyramids.
Try: Bed of Nails Original Acupressure Mat.
($79;amazon.com)
What are the major acupressure points?
There aremany, but here are some of the most noteworthy, according to Doto and Thuroff:
