Making Sense of Acupressure Massage: Natural Pain Relieve

If you are taking daily vitamins, maintaining a healthy diet, and possibly trying to workout on a weekly basis, then you must be a true believer that your body does in fact has a natural healing mechanism, enabling you to stay away from mental stress or even certain medications.

Massage therapy, similar to daily exercise, also plays an essential role in maintaining our health. It is being used for overall wellness, acting as a reboot button that can stimulate our natural healing mechanism.

Acupuncture VS Acupressure "Massage"

These words look almost identical, so it's no surprise that they follow the same principles. Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine, commonly used to treat muscle pain and overall wellness, including stress management. It involves the insertion of thin, solid, metallic needles through the skin at the acupoints on your body. Since most people do not like needles, Acupressure is the happy medium.

What is the theory behind Energy Meridians and Acupoints?

According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupoints (also known as pressure points) are specifically chosen sites that lie along twelve major meridians (also known as energy channels). It is believed that by stimulating the different acupoints on the body surface could modulate the physiology of the body, such as reducing muscle tension, improving body circulation, and stimulation of endorphins, which is a natural pain reliever.

" Acupoint- a sensitive or tender area in the muscle...Histological investigations have revealed that acupoints have a number of elements such as a high densitive of nerve endings, A- and C- afferent fibers and higher concentration of neural and vascular elements, especially mast cells, which could perceive stimulation" --Oxford University Press, 2020

How is Acupressure Massage different?

Acupressure is a specific type of massage therapy. During the massage session, unlike Swedish Massage or other essential oil massages, you lie fully clothed on a soft massage table or chair. Rather than needles, the acupressure practitioners use their fingers, palms and elbows to apply pressure to acupoints on the body's meridians. While Acupressure is a deep-tissue massage, which is good for those with strains and sports injuries, the techniques and pressure level may adjust for seniors or people interested in relaxation.

Acupressure can stimulate the body's circulatory, lymphatic, hormonal systems, as well as the immune system. It may loosen up tight muscles caused by daily activities, such as sitting at the computer or exercising. A traditional Acupressure Massage involves the whole body, but if you have an area of particular concern, you can ask your therapist to spend more time in that area.

After the massage session...

You should feel relaxed and energetic. Your blood circulates and begins to release build up toxins. As the Acupressure Practitioner loosens your muscles, toxins would make their way towards the liver and other areas; therefore, it's important for you to drink plenty of water after the massage.

You might also feel a bit sore, but it won't happen to everyone or every time you receive a massage. Deep-rooted muscle tension often requires some deep muscle work that might leave you feeling tender, but this feeling will fade away.

For more information or if you have any other questions about Acupressure Massage, please feel free to contact us. Together we can customize a maintenance plan that is right for you.

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