Applied pressure is also called acupressure.
You may have heard a friend or neighbor talking about it and wondered if it really works or if it’s all just a bunch of hype.
It’s a good, and totally fair question.
Unfortunately, there has been very little research done on the benefits of acupressure treatments.
Nonetheless, the practice has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, and many people who have tried it have reported that it does help to ease various aches and pains. On that basis alone, it might be worth investigating at least to see if you personally find it helpful or beneficial.
The basic idea behind it goes something like this: The body has a dozen “major meridians” that connect to specific organs and networks of organs. By massaging and applying pressure to these meridians, a variety of symptoms can be alleviated.
As to what to expect if you decide to give it a go, a typical acupressure session lasts about an hour. You’ll be fully clothed, lying on a massage table. A specialist will come in and begin applying pressure to your twelve meridians via fingers, palms, elbows or feet. Occasionally, other massage devices will be used as well. You may also be gently stretched, depending on the practitioner.
One thing to bear in mind is this: Just like a single visit to your local chiropractor won’t miraculously cure what ails you, it may take several acupressure visits to start seeing good results. So, don’t be discouraged if after one session you don’t really feel much of a difference.
The bottom line though, is this: Giving acupressure a try certainly won’t hurt you, and if it helps you feel better, then ultimately that’s a good thing. If you’ve tried other forms of treatments for the aches and pains you’re feeling and they’re not getting it done, there’s certainly no harm in giving acupressure a try.
