There are many forms of massage – shiatsu, deep tissue, Swedish, lava hot stone, acupuncture, and more – each of them has its unique styles, purposes, and benefits. Here’s an in-depth examination of acupressure massage to better help you decide what kind of massage you need. We’re looking at acupressure massage benefits and how it is done.
What is Acupressure Massage?
If you’ve heard of acupressure for the first time, you might think that it is similar to acupuncture, which is a more well-known type of massage. If this is you, then you are partially correct. Acupressure applies some of the basic principles of acupuncture but doesn’t incorporate needles.
Like acupuncture, acupressure activates the key points of the body. But instead of using needles, acupressure uses massage techniques to apply pressure on said key points.
How Does Acupressure Massage Work?
Although acupressure sounds a lot like acupuncture, it is more similar to shiatsu massage. Acupressure applies therapeutic pressure on specific points of the body just as shiatsu does. And just like shiatsu, acu-pressure uses the traditional Chinese map of the body’s meridians.
The meridians in the body are the path through which the body’s energy flows. The energy is called Ki or Qi (pronounced as chee). If the flow of Ki is blocked, it results in pains and illnesses.
The purpose of acupressure is to unblock the path of Ki throughout the body’s meridians.
Although modern medicine has not yet entirely accepted the principles of acu-pressure massage scientifically, it does recognize its irrefutable effects and benefits. The way modern medicine sees it, the massage stimulates blood flow, releases tension, and helps balance the body’s systems.
Acupressure Massage Benefits
Even though modern medicine does not utterly embrace acupressure massage as a means of unblocking the body’s meridian channels, it can’t ignore the universal effects of the therapy.
Relaxation
Relaxation is a primary benefit of ALL forms of massage if the massage is done right. Acupressure massage relaxes both the body and mind. The gentle and therapeutic pressures applied to the body’s meridian channels comfort tense muscles and trigger better blood flow to the area.
And if more blood flows into a specific part of the body, the more oxygen reaches said area. Additionally, a more relaxed muscular system also soothes the mind. The bodily and mental relaxation that acupressure massage offers is so powerful that it is better than medicinal muscle relaxants for chronic headaches.
Pain Relief
The body is made up of overlapping systems. And one good occurrence in the body typically brings a lot of good results. For example, the relaxation of the muscles induced by acupressure massage also relieves pain.
Acupressure is a go-to solution for many chronic pain sufferers who have had the massage before. Pain can either cause or be caused by tense muscles. And if the constant contraction of muscles continues for an extended period, it can cause more pain.
Acupressure massage relaxes the muscles and prevents them from causing more pain. Additionally, the therapy also releases hormones from the brain called endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.
Acupressure is also known to help manage the pain caused by injuries. Just three minutes of acupressure massage on athletes who sustained a sports injury significantly reduced the pain.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed by too much mental or emotional pressure. And when we are stressed, our bodies tense up. Releasing the tension from the muscles through acupressure massage helps reduce stress.
As acupressure relaxes the muscles and mind and releases endorphins, it also lowers the heart rate. Furthermore, acupressure also signals to reduce the cortisol hormone (the stress hormone) in the body. The therapy is effective in reducing the effects of stress and anxiety.
Improved Sleep
Study after study proved that stress is a significant cause of insomnia. When the body and mind are relaxed instead of stressed and anxious, better sleep inevitably follows.
Aside from triggering the release of endorphins, acupressure also releases serotonin and dopamine hormones. Serotonin stabilizes the mood and brings feelings of well-being and happiness. Dopamine, on the other hand, is the hormone closely associated with pleasure.
Overall, when you are happy, content, and relaxed, good sleep comes easier.
Expedites the Healing Process
For the body to heal, it requires the proper nutrients to reach the damaged area. And what is the system of the body that delivers the nutrients to all sectors of the body? That’s right, the circulatory system, which is responsible for providing blood throughout the body.
The blood carries oxygen, hormones, white blood cells that fight infections and viruses, and other essential organic substances necessary for all bodily systems to function. It also carries away toxins, wastes, and other substances dangerous to the body.
We’ve said a thousand times, and we’ll say it again. Acu-pressure massage benefits include better blood flow. And when blood flow is optimal, it can deliver all the right things to all the right places in the body. Acu=pressure massage expedites the healing process by indirectly and efficiently providing more nutrients to damaged tissue.
The more efficient circulatory system promotes better healing by utilizing the body’s natural reparative capabilities. This is the same principle that causes pain relief – better blood circulation helps repair damaged tissue.
Other Benefits
The list of benefits that result from an acupressure massage session goes on and on. Here are other benefits:
- Reduces nausea, vomiting, and retching in patients who undergo chemotherapy
- Combats fatigue, especially cancer-induced fatigue
- Lessens menstrual cramps
- Reduction of motion sickness
Avail Yourself of the Acupressure Massage Benefits Today!
Acupressure massage benefits are countless! It is an easily accessible, affordable, and highly beneficial experience. But of course, you can only reap its full benefits if it is administered right.Visit InBalance Yoga & Wellness center to avail of the best and affordable massage experience. Gain the holistic acupressure massage benefits you need. Our professional staff’s combined skill, care, and expertise will give you the best massage experience you will ever have.
