In the United States acupressure is primarily used to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. In Asia, the technique is used more like first aid: individuals typically practice it on themselves or on family members to treat everyday ailments such as colds, headaches, sore muscles, and hangovers. While many people prefer to go to a trained therapist to get acupressure treatments, the techniques, once learned, can be self-administered or administered by a family member.
Foremost among the advantages of acupressure is that it is safe to perform on yourself and others—even if you have never done it before—so long as you follow the instructions and pay attention to the warnings. You need only your hands to practice acupressure therapy anytime, anywhere.
Tension tends to concentrate around acupressure points. When a muscle is chronically tense or in spasm, the muscle fibers contract due to the secretion of lactic acid caused by fatigue, trauma, stress, chemical imbalances, or poor circulation.
As a point is pressed, the muscle tension yields to the pressure of the fingers, enabling the fibers to elongate and relax, blood to flow freely, and toxins to be released. Increased circulation also brings more oxygen and other nutrients to affected areas, which increases the body’s resistance to illness and promotes a healthier, more vital life.
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