Acupressure is a therapy that employs the fingers, hands or devices to produce pressure at special points called acupressure points. This pressure may be applied by means of massage, pressing with the fingers or with tools (e.g., wristbands, rollers, balls, pointers).

Acupressure follows the same basic theory as acupuncture, only without the needles. Ancient Chinese belief holds that there are invisible pathways (meridians) just below the skin. Adherents believe that these meridians (about 12 main and eight secondary meridians) channel the life force, or qi (pronounced “chee” and sometimes spelled chi), through the body.

Illness, pain and other negative symptoms are thought to be caused by interruptions in the flow of the qi. If free flow of qi is restored, good health returns. Acupressure seeks to restore the flow of qi by the application of pressure at specific points (acupressure points) where qi is abundant or wells toward the skin.

Many Western practitioners believe that proper acupressure facilitates the release of endorphins (hormones that reduce the pain sensation and affect emotions) by the manual manipulation of nerve endings. Though it is true that many acupressure points align with groupings of nerves, not all do. There has been little study of how acupressure works physiologically.

Acupressure points correlate with acupuncture points. These have internationally recognized alpha-numerical names as well as traditional Chinese names. These formal names are used regardless of whether acupressure or acupuncture is used. Thus the P6 acupressure point in the wrist, for example, is the same as the P6 acupuncture point.

Acupressure, which is sometimes called “no-needle acupuncture,” may generally be used for the same treatments as acupuncture. It is not typically as effective as acupuncture, but it can be self-administered and, because there are no needles, it is noninvasive. Acupressure may provide relief for patients who cannot or will not undergo acupuncture (e.g., patients whose blood does not clot properly, patients who fear needles). However, research on the benefit of acupressure remains inconclusive, and it seems to have a placebo effect.

Acupressure is typically used to treat specific symptoms, such as pain, rather than entire conditions. However, it may be used to treat symptoms that are highly characteristic of a condition. Some of the conditions that acupressure may be helpful with include:

• Motion sickness and morning sickness. Acupressure may relieve the nausea caused by these conditions.
  
  
• Cancer. Acupressure can control patients’ nausea and vomiting and possibly improve the effectiveness of antinausea drugs, according to the U.S. government’s National Cancer Institute.
  
  
• Fibromyalgia. Many acupressure points align with fibromyalgia trigger points. Acupressure, particularly emphasizing these trigger points, may help ease pain.
  
  
• Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (chronic inflammatory arthritis) and osteoarthritis (degenerative bone arthritis). Acupressure may ease pain and reduce stiffness in arthritis sufferers. Some practitioners believe it may also have anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Myofascial pain syndrome and muscle spasm.
  
  
• Sciatica, osteoporosis and other sources of back painback pain.
  
  
• Headaches.
  
  
• Menstrual pain and other forms of pelvic pain.
  
  
• Postoperative pain.
  

• Chronic heartburn.
  
  
• Insomnia.