Historical Facts About Acupressure
June 24th, 2009 -- Posted in Acupuncture | No Comments »Acupressure is a part of traditional Chinese medicine that has been in use for more than five thousand years. It uses the same principles as acupuncture. The main difference between acupressure and acupuncture is that acupressure uses fingers, hand, or elbows, instead of needles. Many people appreciate that.
Acupressure keeps the body’s energy flow in balance. It works by applying pressure to specific acupoints located along energy channels called meridians. This activates the body’s natural self-healing powers.
People have used acupressure for thousands of years to treat various illnesses and disorders, including: chronic pain, arthritis, asthma, digestive issues, headaches, anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, strokes, weight loss, and many, many more.
Acupressure heals the immune system, improves circulation, energy levels and concentration. Pregnancy or maternity acupressure is a wonderful tool that will help women through their pregnancy and childbirth. Regular use of acupressure results in an overall improvement of physical and mental health.
Where and when did acupressure originate? It is generally believed that acupressure originated in India and later spread to China and other parts of Asia. The earliest text that mentions meridian based treatments is known as the “Nei Ching”. This is the oldest surviving medical work written some two thousand years ago.
Although acupressure is most commonly used in Asian countries, possibly the earliest evidence of its use was found in Europe. Otzi, a 5,000-year-old mummy found in an alpine glacier, had tattoos that correspond to acupoints. Whether this tattoos were of therapeutic importance is still a matter of debate.
Acupressure has been practiced for thousands of years, most commonly in Asia. Today, it is accepted and practiced worldwide. It clearly stood the test of time.