Acupressure: Health Benefits and Choosing a Practitioner
Description
This article is from the Alternative Medicine Therapies guide.
Acupressure: Health Benefits and Choosing a Practitioner
Health Benefits
Many people have reported success using acupressure to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation. A number have found the therapy especially helpful for easing back pain and for certain types of headaches, including migraine. Post-operative pain and nausea has been found to respond to pressure point massage. Chronic sinusitis sufferers have also found it useful for easing congestion. Although research results are mixed, acupressure is also commonly used for morning sickness, motion sickness, and other types of nausea.
Some people find that treatments improve their overall vitality and well-being.
How To Choose an Acupressure Practitioner
There is no licensing procedure for acupressure therapists. Because acupressure involves massage, it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with. A word-of-mouth recommendation from a friend or co-worker may be the best place to start. Having a short phone conversation with the therapist before you go in for a visit may help you find out if you at least like the person.
Cautions
- Never press on an open wound, swollen or inflamed skin, a bruise, surgery scar, varicose vein, or broken bone.
- Avoid acupressure if you have a contagious disease, an infectious skin disease, or a serious heart, kidney, or lung disorder.
- Avoid acupressure in the area of a known tumor.
- Acupressure should not be applied directly over the lymph nodes.
- Certain acupressure points must be avoided during pregnancy. Be sure to tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
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