What Is Acupressure Massage?

Natural Methods Of Healing

What is Acupressure Massage?

Acupressure massage is an ancient remedy of Chinese traditional medicine known to relieve pain in specific areas of the body. Acupressure is often the choice for people who prefer a natural form of pain relief instead of using medication. The goal of acupressure massage is to bring relief from pain without the use of medications.


Usually this type of massage is applied by an Acupuncturist or a Practitioner. Several sessions may be necessary before the pain goes away completely.


What are acupressure points?

There are two types of acupressure points:

1) A local point: This is a point of the body near the pain you are experiencing.

2) A trigger point: This is when pain is removed by massaging a point that’s not near the area in pain.

A trigger point can be massaged, and the benefit circulates through a human electrical channel called a meridian to the area in pain. The meridians are distinct channels that connect acupressure points to each other and to the internal organs, circulating electrical energy through the body. This is why the practitioner may massage areas that are not near your areas of pain.


What should you expect during this type of massage?

An acupressure practitioner will use her thumb, knuckle or a finger to apply a firm but gentle pressure to both local and trigger acupoints on certain parts of the body. This pressure lasts from thirty seconds up to two minutes, after which it is slowly eased off. This operation may be repeated three to five times. The area around the point may also be massaged or ‘stretched’. Practitioners apply acupressure massage as you lie fully clothed on a soft massage table, with sessions lasting usually about an hour.


Some people may feel lightheaded for a short while after a session of Acupressure, or even sore at the pressure points, but this soon wears off. A session of Acupressure is not considered to be a painful procedure.


What is acupressure best used for?

Nausea after surgery

Headache relief

Motion sickness

Pregnancy morning sickness

Muscle tension and pain

Menstrual cramping

Cancer fatigue

Nausea from chemotherapy

Overall, Acupressure massage is most beneficial to anyone who is 1) suffering from pain, and 2) looking for a natural form of relief.