A guide to acupressure

Unblock stagnant energy and enhance your emotions with the gentle art of acupressure. Find out more about this ancient Chinese therapy.

Acupressure is an ancient oriental technique practiced in China and Japan for over 3,000 years. It is described as 'acupuncture without the needles' as, rather than inserting needles at special points on the skin (known as acupoints), acupoints are stimulated using firm thumb pressure or fingertip massage. Sometimes the therapist will also use their palms, elbows, knees and feet to stimulate different parts of your body.

There are several forms of acupressure massage, such as Tui Na and Shen Tao in China, and Anma in Japan, which has now evolved into Shiatsu. In Shen Tao, very light pressure is applied with just the fingertips, while in another form, Jin Shen Do, relatively few acupoints are used and the therapy is given while the person is in a meditative state. Shiatsu is the Japanese word for 'finger pressure' and is a combination of massage and acupressure, which stimulates a variety of specific points on the body.

Stimulating acupoints is believed to help improve the circulation of life energy, Qi or Ch'i (pronounced chee) in Chinese and Ki in Japanese.

Qi is believed to flow through the body along special channels known as meridians. There are 12 main meridians plus another eight that have a regulating function, making 20 in all. Qi energy flows along these meridians and becomes concentrated at the acupoints where it can enter or leave the body. Acupressure at various acupoints helps to stimulate Qi or overcome imbalances or blockages in the flow that are associated with ill health. The flow of Qi energy through the meridians is also disrupted by factors such as stress, lack of sleep and poor diet.

Acupressure is designed to balance the flow of the life-force energy. It is relaxing and seems to stimulate release of the body's natural painkillers to relieve pain and lift a low mood. It may be used to help relieve a number of emotional and physical problems and can even be practised on yourself.

One point you can easily stimulate yourself is PC6 (pericardium 6) found on the wrist. Around 30 different studies have shown that this point is effective in treating sickness due to a variety of causes, including motion sickness and morning sickness. In one survey, nearly 80% of women suffering from morning sickness found their symptoms improved dramatically when they wore special acupressure bands designed to stimulate the PC6 point. No side effects were reported.

If you fancy having a go, here are a couple you can safely try:

Acupressure for nausea, known in Chinese medicine as 'pressing the inner gate'. Press for five minutes over PC6, situated in the middle of the front of the forearm approximately the breadth of the four fingers of the hand above the wrist crease, every two to three hours, or whenever sickness is felt. The same effect can be obtained by wearing commercially available wrist bands with a stud pressing on point PC6. These are available from chemists.

Acupressure for digestion and headache, known in Chinese medicine as 'pressing the meeting of the valleys'. Press the acupoint found in the web between the finger and thumb to aid digestion and to releave headaches.

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