ACUPRESSURE

Yoga & Cure

Acupressure is the art and science of restoring the balance of qi (or natural energy) in the body. Acupressure has many significant medical benefits and has been practiced in Asia for several centuries. This is similar to acupuncture, however, no needles are used in this therapy.
During an acupressure session, a trained practitioner applies pressure to specific points on the body with his/her hands, elbows, or some devices. This is aimed at improving the circulation of energies in the body, which in turn alleviates pain and helps cure the patient.
History of acupressure: From China to the world
Acupressure is a popular Chinese medical treatment that can help cure ailments by applying pressure to specific points on the human body. It has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years and is known as an effective method to improve blood circulation and boost the body’s immune system. Practitioners of acupressure believe that a simple massage can help cure ailments, such as chronic high blood pressure and arthritis. This alternative treatment exists in various parts of the world; however, most of its followers come from Asian countries, such as Japan, China, and India.
It is difficult to trace the roots of acupressure to an exact point in time. The earliest references to this discipline have been found in the ancient ages, when warfare involved the use of primitive weapons, such as arrows and stones. Soldiers who were injured during battle are known to be treated with acupressure to produce great results. This led to the belief that certain illnesses could be cured by piercing specific parts of the human body.
The equipment used in acupuncture then included arrows, bones, stones, etc. As civilization advanced, people started using needles made of silver, copper, and gold. Gradually, acupuncture evolved into a non-evasive discipline that came to be known as acupressure.
Acupressure spread to Europe when Jesuit missionaries visited China in the 17th century. They returned to the West with the news that Chinese physicians could cure their patients by inserting needles into the patient’s body or, in this case, by applying pressure to strategic points. This became a sensation in Europe, leading to Souile de Morant later translating several acupuncture documents into French. This brought the West closer to Chinese methods of medication.
The army of Mao Tse Tung also helped revive interest in Chinese medical techniques in the 1930s. After a survey conducted by WHO in the 1970s, both acupuncture and acupressure started receiving more attention from the Western medical community.