Editorial

Introduction to Acupressure (Supplementary material 1.)

Lisa Li-Chen Hsieh¹

¹Ji-Din Clinic, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Acupressure, one of the therapeutic modalities in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been administered for relieving pain, illness, and injuries for centuries1.

“Qi-Blood Theory”2, one major theory in TCM, pertains to all human life empowered by a life energy force, called Qi. Qi can be deemed as “matter” on the verge of becoming energy, or energy at the point of materializing. It is not some primordial, immutable material, nor merely a vital energy. Traditional Chinese thought fails to distinguish between matter and energy and asserts that the functioning of body and mind is supported by Qi and by the other vital substances that are the manifestations of Qi. In other words, the basis of all is Qi: all other vital substances are manifestations of Qi in various degrees of materiality, ranging from the complete material, such as body, blood and fluids, to the totally immaterial, such as mind, energy and air^3,4.

In modern scientific terms, Qi is the pure energy of life that human gain through exercise and that human use to promote ourselves. There are three forms of Qi, (1) Inborn Qi that is “Qi” we acquire at birth; (2) Automatic Qi that is “Qi” we generate from natural breathing; and (3) Acquired Qi that is “Qi” we generate from special form of breathing practice. Automatic Qi originates from two automatic dynamical systems in our body: One is connected to the external world, the “SanJiao system” that acquires energy from air and food from the environment, and two “Heart-centered vessel netwrok” which generates electrical signal on the heart cells to stimulate heart rhythm and enhances circulation of Qi and blood in the body.

“Acquired Qi” is derived from a special form of breathing practice, people can, therefore, acquire energy beyond the “automatic Qi”. Such form of energy, when accumulated to an enough level, is capable of enhancing our blood circulation and to activate “life gate” in our body to generate additional Qi energy as well as to improve body health. Based on the energy we gain from the activation of “Life gate”, one can enhance the efficiency of various dynamical systems in our body. As such we can promote our health condition, suppress sickness and aging, and lengthen our healthy life. Without the “Acquired Qi” practice, one may also do work and can be called QiGong. It is, however, only based on our “original Qi” and “automatic Qi” to work, instead of using the “Acquired Qi” that we empower ourselves to do the work.

Human health is maintained by the smooth flow of life energy-- Qi through pathways in our bodies called meridians. According to “Meridians theory”^5,6 , meridians act as conduits that maintain balance and health throughout our body’s skin, muscle, and organs. Along meridians are numerous acupoints which serve as external doors or openings to the meridians that access the internal tissues and organs of the body. They transport Qi and material so that our body can function smoothly. When injuries, emotions, disease, stress, or poor lifestyle disrupt the normal circulation of air, blood, lymph, and other fluids in our body, we begin to feel ill. Energy of life enhanced with the help of“Acquired Qi”, will be more abundant than normal so that body can function even efficiently to promote health and avoid illness and slow aging.

Acupressure, using the “Acquired Qi”, is a gentle but firm pressing stimulation mainly by fingers over meridians and acu-points, which are the doorways leading in and out of our body and act as monitoring points for the functioning of human organs. Each acu-point represents a particular tissue, organ, or system and reflects the body’s physical conditions; therefore, stimulating these acu-points influences the body’s ability to function regarding the respective tissues or organs. With the use of “Acquired Qi”, acupressure therapy can even stimulate meridians and vital points to monitor body’s ability to grow, repair and regulate the physiological functions of tissues and organs. Acupressure therapy is a non-invasive treatment module. The therapist not only conveys his/her own Qi to patients to enhance their strength to support physiological functions, but also interferes enforcedly to relieve illness.

Acupressure can access nearly all acu-ponts. A senior acupressure practitioner can easily control the flow and action of his/her “Acquired Qi” through remote points which access any and all acu-points. Acupressure is a means to cure and/or alleviate a wide range of illnesses and can be a screening method for detecting illnesses by a well-trained acupressure therapist through the Acu-point-Reflecting-Pain held by each acu-point, which reflects each patient’s specific body condition. Generally speaking, this technique is not dangerous and can be combined with other types of therapy.

Acupressure uses the human body as the only treatment tool. In addition, there is a diminished degree of risk when using a skillful therapist. It is often performed while patients are fully clothed on a table. The treatment lasts from a few minutes to half an hour, depending upon the therapist’s techniques and decisions. Acupressure therapists are usually requested to have practiced beforehand the medical Qigong through persistent breathing exercise and to have learnt the general principles of Chinese medicine including meridians and acu-points to improve the treatment effects. As a result, the therapist may use his/her own body to help patients by transferring his/her own Qi to the patient’s body through pressing meridians and/or acu-points.

Ideally, therapists should have a basic understanding of orthodox medical science in order to address those more “evidence-based” questions generally presented in Western culture. Based on the above mentioned techniques and theories, acupressure may be considered a safe and effective method of treatment for people with a variety of lifestyles under most circumstances.

References

¹Wei LY. Acupuncture Science and Technique. Taiwan Chung Hwa Publications. Taipei,1986, pp. 202-209.

²Lee, D.H.. Qi Shiee Luenn. Chih Yuan Publications. Taipei, 1996, pp. 51-94.

³Kapichuk T. The web that has no weaver. New York: Congdon and Weed, 1983

⁴Maciocia G. Foundations of Chinese medicine. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1989

⁵Dai HM. Chinese Medicine. Chi Yeh Publications, Taipei, 1986, pp.52-72

⁶Kawashima K. The Acupuncture Anatomy. Wu Lin Publications, Taipei, 1992, pp. 303-309.