Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, Acupressure Therapy is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, and is ideal for self-treatment and preventive health care for boosting the immune system. Acupressure releases tension, increases circulation, reduces pain, and develops spirituality and vibrant health. For a pressure point reference and a self-care guide for common complaints from A to Z, see Acupressure's Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., with 400 illustrations and over a hundred self-acupressure healing applications.

SAcupuncture & Acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but Acupuncture employs needles, while Acupressure uses gentle to firm finger pressure. When these acupressure points are stimulated, they release muscular tension, promote circulation of blood, and enhance the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupressure therapy can be used to relieve pain, fortify the sexual reproductive system, detoxify the body for greater health and beauty, and tone facial and back muscles.

Divorce is another example of a life-changing transition that can cause emotional problems such as anxiety, worry, and depression, and also cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, ulcers, irritable bowel problems, and more. Acupressure can help balance these symptoms. Addictions: Compulsive behaviors occur in cycles and are cumulative; one stress leads to another. Poor choices and emotionally unhealthy situations contribute to muscular tensions, pressures and pain. People commonly use drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or overeating to avoid the stress and tension in their lives and to escape from feeling pain in the body.

Acupressure can break the negative cycle of addiction, since it releases pain, stress, and tension, and heightens body awareness. Instead of the numbing affects of drugs, acupressure increases the circulation, helping to lift the fog of addiction and bringing a person back to the present moment. There are acupressure points for regaining stability, reducing cravings, for heightening morale, self-esteem, and self-confidence, and for boosting will power - all of which are vital for combating addictions.

Healing Energy Work

Acupressure Points have a high electrical conductivity at the surface of the skin, and thus conduct and channel healing energy most effectively. This is why the most potent healing energy work uses acupressure points. The Chinese call healing energy Qi or Chi. In Japan, the life force is termed Ki, and channeling healing energy is called Reiki. Yoga practices refer to the body's life force as prana or pranic energy. These terms all relate to the same universal healing energy, which exists in our environment, and links us to all forms of life.

Energy Flow Governs Well-Being in people and animals alike. Within all living animals are meridian pathways. These life-force channels govern the functions of all body systems, such as the nervous, digestive, endocrine, vascular, lymphatic, and reproductive systems. The way energy flows through the meridians presides over wellness or dis-ease. Meridian blockages can cause all kinds of human suffering. However, when the life force flows through the meridians in a balanced way, health, harmony, and happiness results.