ACUPUNCTURE & ACUPRESSURE

Acupuncture & acupressure

Acupuncture & Acupressure

Introduction

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese therapy that is also known as Ohashiatsu, Shiatsu, Tui Na, or Watsu. It is based on the same idea as acupuncture. The practitioner uses his or her fingers, hands, elbows, or various devices to massage or manipulate points on the body. The points have been identified by observational evidence that acupressure at the meridians (acupressure points) brings potential healing benefits from the release of bodily chemicals such as endorphins and dynorphins that aid in relieving pain. Students of the martial arts use acupressure extensively for self-ther-apy and also for immobilizing opponents. Tai Chi has physiological benefits even if the theory of the circulation of the life force (qi or chi) is not accurate (James, 2001).

The Alexander Technique is a bodywork method developed by Frederic Alexander, an Australian actor at the beginning of the 20th century. He found that his energy levels and dramatic performances were greatly improved by the way in which he held his body. After 1904, he taught his ideas in both London and the United Kingdom. He developed exercises for extending the spine and for maximizing the use of muscles. His slogan was “the head leads and the body follows.” Alexander Technique teachers seek to improve posture problems by prevention in the young and by correction in older adults. The benefits of good posture include great mental alertness, sleep, and performance of physical tasks (John, 2006).

Acupuncture & Acupressure

Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and is one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture involves procedures that stimulate anatomical points on the body by using a variety of techniques. Penetrating the skin with fine needles is the most common technique. Acupuncture, in its original form, was based on beliefs about the circulation of a vital force or energy along specific pathways (meridians) in the human body (Norma, 2006). Disease is the inappropriate flow of this energy through the meridians. This inappropriateness can be in strength, quality, or direction of the energy. Acupuncture points are located along these channels and stimulation of them will change the flow of energy in the body. These acupuncture points are seen to correspond to anatomical structures such as peripheral nerve systems (Barrie, 2004).

Aromatherapy uses essential oils and water-based colloids extracted from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health and balance. It dates back 6,000 years and is defined as the controlled use of plant essences for therapeutic purposes. The medieval Persian physician Avicenna is credited with determining the methods for extracting essential oils from plants. Gattefosse was the first person to use the term aromatherapy to describe the practice. Universal reactions to the chemical properties of certain essential oil scents can evoke calmness or joy, energize or relieve stress, or impact emotions in other ways. From an aromatherapy point of view, the aromas of oils are not in themselves therapeutic; it is the essence of oils and their chemical properties ...