What is Acupressure Shiatsu?

by Barbara Blanchard Lic. Ac., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. ABT
Asian Bodywork Therapy, Acupuncture, and Chinese herbs are the three major healing arts of Chinese medicine. Acupressure is a recognized style of Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) certified by the national professional association, the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA).

"Finger Pressure"

Acupressure is a healing modality that emphasizes balancing the energy body or energy system with the physical body, mind, and spirit. An integral part of Chinese medicine, Acupressure is similar to Acupuncture except that it uses the hands rather than needles to adjust energy flow. Students of Acupressure learn the same meridians and acupoints that are used in Acupuncture as well as the Asian bodywork therapy known as Shiatsu (from the Japanese "shi" finger, and "atsu" pressure). Acupressure puts more emphasis on using specific Acupressure points in treatment, whereas Shiatsu often relies more on balancing the channels.

Qi and Meridians

Acupressure is based on the concept of Qi, the body's vital life force flowing through defined channels or meridians along the surface of the body. When the body's vital energy flow (or Qi) is normal and harmonious, the body is balanced and healthy. Pressure pain at an acupoint can reflect an imbalance. Acupressure points are specific locations along the meridians where the flow of Qi gathers in vortices spiraling in inward and outward directions. Therefore, stimulation of these acupoints by rubbing, pressing, massaging, tapping, applying heat moxibustion, or magnetic therapy will encourage deep muscular relaxation, circulation of blood, and Qi balancing. A person will experience varying sensitivity at these acupoints depending on his/her condition. Sensations of softness, hardness, soreness, ticklishness, pulsation, heat or cold reflect obstruction in the energy along the meridian pathway.

What Can Acupressure Treat?

When someone presents with a specific problem (for example, a headache) it is important to know where the headache is located, what the nature of the pain is, what accompanying symptoms are involved, and how frequently it occurs. Acupressure can asses and treat a number of ailments including but not limited to lower back pain, PMS, menstrual problems, asthma, allergies, head colds, sinus problems, digestive disorders, stress, headaches, and more. Based on the assement, a treatment plan can be created. Specific energetic pathways and acupressure points can then be used for effective treatment, and remarkable results can be achieved almost immediately.

The Acupressure Session

The recipient will often respond when the therapist gets right "on the point." There is usually a pleasure-pain sensation; the point may feel sore but it will feel good to have the pressure applied. The sensitivity at the point changes as the muscles relax, the body's circulation opens, and the Qi is balanced. Oftentimes, the rhythm of shiatsu technique and the acupressure to the point sequences form a dance-like movement that lulls the recipient into a deep state of relaxation. Through Acupressure, the individual's own healing energies are encouraged to bring wholeness of being in body-mind-spirit. Acupressure Shiatsu at best can be a very transformative healing art for both practitioner and patient.

Adjunct therapies such as magnets, pressballs, heat therapies, cupping, and other treatments can be included to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

 

Barbara Blanchard Lic. Ac., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. ABT. is the founding director of the Acupressure Therapy Institute in Quincy, Ma. which offers a treatment clinic and is currently enrolling students for certification. For further information call (617) 697-1477 or go to www.acupressuretherapy.com .