Acupressure Point for Stress

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that it is derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Where it diverges from acupuncture is that it does not use needles but pressure to heal or relieve pain. The pressure can be applied with the tip of the finger or knuckle. The method involves applying a deep massaging type of pressure around various pressure points. This article will outline the theory behind acupressure and how it is used to relieve stress.

Chinese philosophy has talked about a life force that runs through the body for thousands of years and it is taken as one of the fundamental principles of traditional Chinese medicine. The life force is called chi. We are born with chi energy that is inherited from our parents. We can also create chi energy by eating and drinking.

The energy runs throughout our bodies from points in the body called meridians. The energy flows from one meridian to another to form a pathway of energy that is constantly flowing. This flow of energy gives a person their vitality. A free flowing chi indicates that the body is healthy.
The meridians are the areas where acupuncture and acupressure can be used to heal. If a person becomes stressed, is suffering from anxiety or some kind of everyday illness it is said that the chi is out of balance. This is described as bad energy, bad food or stress causing a blockage in the free flowing chi energy. By performing acupressure on specific meridians, the energy can be unblocked and the chi can flow freely again hence restoring health.

Chinese medicine has learned through trial and error over thousands of years which illnesses are related to certain meridians in the body. If you were to see a traditional Chinese medical practitioner they would ask about your problems and then work on the specific pressure point.
This can also be learned by the individual. There are many books that teach people about chi and where the meridians are for certain illnesses, organs in the body or parts of the body.
Acupressure and acupuncture are now widely recognized in western societies as effective therapies for a variety of complaints including stress related problems but scientific research still disputes the underlying theory of chi.

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