Alternative therapies provide a holistic approach that does not use conventional medicines to treat illnesses. Instead, they go to the root of the problem, and practice healing to provide cohesive wellness. This article shares light on the two most common forms of alternative therapy, and discusses the benefits of acupressure and acupuncture.
Alternative therapies are treatments that do not use conventional modern medical sciences to treat illnesses. They draw inspiration from ancient healing practices that were prevalent all over the world before modern medicine. Alternative therapies defy the ‘pill for every ill’ approach of the conventional health care system. Instead, they aim at overall health and well-being. They do not merely treat the symptoms, but also target the underlying factors that cause illness. Alternative therapies, also known as integrative therapies, work on all the aspects of the patient’s well-being – physical, emotional, and spiritual.
In this article, we will understand two popular alternative therapies and analyze the benefits of acupressure and acupuncture
To begin with, what is acupressure?
Acupressure is a non-invasive, gentle, and safe alternative therapy. It applies pressure on specific pressure points located across the body. In acupressure, practitioners use their fingers, and sometimes their elbows, to apply different levels of pressure to these pressure points.
This method comes from an ancient Chinese technique that believes in the flow of energy (Chi) throughout the body. Chi flows from the fingertips to the brain, and then to an organ or a set of organs.
These form communication channels through the body. Chinese philosophers believed that good health and overall well-being are possible only when Chi can flow uninterrupted through all the communication channels or ‘meridians’.
However, certain things can block the flow of Chi. For example, external issues (environmental), internal factors (trauma, stress, etc), and poor lifestyle choices. This often results in illnesses and diseases.
How does acupressure work?
When you apply pressure on specific Acu-points located on the meridians, it facilitates the smooth flow of Chi. Similar
to opening a gate, the application of precise pressure on the exact acupoint causes an unbridled flow of the life energy, Chi, throughout the body. The scientific explanation for this philosophical phenomenon is that the pressure applied onto the acupoints on the meridian, stimulate blood circulation, and activate lymph nodes. As a result, it promotes self-healing.
Acupressure can treat many ailments, right from chronic backache to general fatigue, stress, and anxiety to deficiencies of the immune system. There are three main methods that specialists use to manipulate the flow of Chi – tonify, disperse, and calm.
To tonify is to nourish or replenish weak Chi, to disperse is to release blocked flow of Chi, and to calm is to pacify overly active Chi.
Acupressure also works on a similar principle as massages. With the application of the correct amount of pressure, our body releases the feel-good hormones, endorphins, that stop pain signals from entering the brain and release all the pent-up stress and tension. The acupressure specialist may massage the pressure points using a circular motion or a pressing in and out motion. They may apply pressure for a few seconds or up to a few minutes depending upon the condition of the patient.
Second, what is acupuncture?
Like acupressure, acupuncture is also an ancient Chinese medicine, involving stimulation of the meridians.
Traditionally, acupuncture uses needles to penetrate the skin and alleviate pain and other
health conditions such as nausea. Various studies conducted in America and Europe have found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for chronic pain.
Many acupuncture practitioners also believe that it is effective in treating the cancer-treatment induced side effects on the patients’ bodies. However, more scientific research needs to be conducted to conclusively prove its effectiveness in treating cancer patients.
You might find yourself wondering about the needles and how pressing a bunch of them in your body can be anything but more painful? Turns out, it is not painful, and it helps quite a lot.
How does acupuncture work?
Chinese philosophy behind acupuncture, like acupressure, believes in Chi, the invisible life energy flows through our body. When there is a free-flowing Chi people enjoy good mental and physical health.
Further, the piercing of needles in certain points on the skin is minimally invasive, but enough stimulus for the brain to react and for things to play out.
The immune system of the body kickstarts the wound healing by increasing blood circulation. This principle is effective in the treatment of chronic pain. Practitioners and patients around the world claim acupuncture to be effective in the treatment of allergies, insomnia, hypertension, menstrual cramps, migraines, etc.
So, the benefits of acupressure and acupuncture are several. And, you can make good use of them.
At the outset, Chi as a concept may feel like a hoax. But when you really think about it, our overall well-being and mindset do have a far-reaching effect on our physical health. Even though you might not be suffering from any particular ailment, you can incorporate acupressure or acupuncture in your life to improve your health and well-being, subsequently elevating the quality of life. And with no side effects to worry about, these alternative therapies are safe to begin your holistic healing journey with.
