Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but without the needles. Instead, the practitioner uses fingers, hands or tools (e.g., rollers) to apply pressure on special points of the body.

Like acupuncture, acupressure is based upon the ancient Chinese belief in many invisible pathways, or meridians, that channel qi (life force) through the body. Illness and pain are seen as the result of interrupted flow of qi. The aim of acupressure is to restore the flow of qi through pressure on points in the meridians where qi is abundant. These acupressure points are believed to correlate with the acupuncture points sought by acupuncturists.

Acupressure may be used to treat symptoms of many conditions. These include fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and myofascial pain syndrome. It is also used to prevent motion sickness and relieve nausea.

Before acupressure, the practitioner will typically ask the patient many questions to decide how and where to treat. The patient will be placed in a comfortable position, and the practitioner will apply pressure with fingers, hands or tools by massaging or pressing points in the meridians. The patient may be shown how to self-administer some forms of acupressure and will typically return for more sessions regularly.

Acupressure may relieve nausea and pain. Other benefits may include relaxation, stress relief and depression relief. Few risks or negative effects have been associated with acupressure.

Although acupressure has some advantages over acupuncture (e.g., it can be self-administered, it does not involve needles), acupuncture has been better researched and has demonstrated greater effectiveness. The effectiveness of acupressure is inconclusive and not well documented. More research needs to be conducted before acupressure can be relied upon.

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.

Before undergoing acupressure, it is important to make sure the practitioner is licensed and certified. In some cases, a physician can refer patients to an acupressure practitioner.

Before acupressure begins, the practitioner will typically ask the patient many questions. This will assist in deciding precisely where and how to apply treatment. Clothing may be loosened or removed around the areas to be treated, and the patient will usually lie down in a comfortable position. Sometimes, however, acupressure may be employed while the patient sits in a comfortable chair. This is typically dependent upon which acupressure points will be addressed.

During acupressure, the practitioner applies pressure on the chosen acupressure or trigger points, depending upon the condition. Fingers, palms or tools (e.g., rollers, balls, pointers) may be used to do this. The pressure points may be massaged, pressed or both. Pressure is typically applied for several minutes, lessened and then reapplied over time.

Although research on the effectiveness of acupressure remains inconclusive, it may possess a variety of benefits, including:

• Pain relief. Acupressure may have potential for increasing the pain threshold and easing pain. Some studies show slight potential to replace or amplify simple analgesics for the relief of minor, temporary aches and pain, such as those experienced by athletes during training.

Pain relief may be facilitated through various acupressure points all over the body. Different points, known as trigger points, may be used depending on where the pain is located and the points may not necessarily be near the local point of pain. For example, the ear has acupressure pain points for many parts of the body. Acupressure may help in easing the pain of many conditions, including fibromyalgia and headaches.

• Nausea relief. The bulk of positive research on Nausea relief. The bulk of positive research on acupressure concerns the effectiveness of acupressure at the P6 or Neiguan acupressure point for relieving nausea. This point is located on the inside of the wrist, three fingerbreadths above the wrist’s proximal skin crease (the one closest to the elbow). It is between two tendons, the palmaris longus and the flexor carpi radialis.
  
  Pressure may be applied manually or by a special acupressure wristband, which has a plastic button that presses on the pressure point. Relief may be gained from the nausea caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, medications or treatments such as chemotherapy. Some people have found that putting on the wristbands before a boat trip can prevent seasickness.

Acupressure has also been used to control nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.

• Other potential effects. Acupressure may have numerous other beneficial effects, including:
  
  
• • Relief of muscle tension
  • Deep relaxation
  • Comforting or pleasant feeling
  • Increased blood flow
  • Stress relief
  • Depression relief
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
    

Few risks or negative effects have been associated with acupressure. If acupressure is too vigorous, it may cause bruising. There have been rare cases of acupressure to the neck causing dissection (tearing) of a carotid artery, which supplies blood to the head. This damage could cause a stroke. Symptoms of a carotid dissection may include headache, ringing in the ears and the (possibly permanent) drooping of an eyelid.   

Acupressure should also be avoided over open wounds to prevent irritation or damage. Conditions that may rule out use of acupressure include deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a leg), burns, skin infections, eczema, fractures and advanced osteoporosis.

Alternatives and variations of acupressure

Zone therapy can be considered a variation of acupressure applied to the feet or hands. However, most forms of zone therapy have not been studied in detail yet, and scientific data are very limited. Adherents believe that stimulation of a specific part of the foot or hand affects other areas of the body. Types of zone therapy include:

• Reflexology, perhaps the best-known type of zone therapy, involves acupressure applied to the feet. It has been used to treat disorders ranging from migraines to abdominal pain to infertility to prostatitis. According to the Association of Reflexologists, reflexology can improve many acute and chronic conditions.
  
  
• Shiatsu, a Japanese method of massage used to treat illness, is another variation of acupressure. It also is based on the idea that energy flows through the body in meridians and that blockage of these channels causes disorders.
  
  
• Tuina is a Chinese technique similar to shiatsu but involving more manipulation of soft tissues.
  
  
• Jin Shin Tara, an acupressure-like treatment that originated in Japan, has been used to address trauma pain and, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), is being studied for possible use in stroke rehabilitation.

Acupressure and acupuncture are closely related treatments. Acupuncture, involving insertion of needles, has been more thoroughly studied and has demonstrated greater effectiveness.

Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about acupressure:

1. Could acupressure help me?
   
   
2. Are there any reasons I should not try acupressure?
   
   
3. Can you recommend an acupressure practitioner?
   
   
4. Should I consider acupuncture as well?
   
   
5. How often should I see an acupressure practitioner?
   
   
6. What can I expect during the treatment?
   
   
7. How long will it take before I know if acupressure is useful for my condition?
   
   
8. Can acupressure help me lose weight?
   
   
9. Should I consider self–administered acupressure?
   
   
10. If so, how should I self–administer acupressure to ease my symptoms?
    
    
11. Can acupressure wrist bands relieve my seasickness or morning sickness?