Pain or discomfort can impact our capacity to function in our daily activities. Experts estimate that, in the United States, 4 billion workdays are lost to pain annually. There are two types of pain; acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is short-lived pain that is normally the body’s response to an injury, while chronic pain lasts for longer than a period of three months.
Pain can be mild or extreme and usually can be as small as a dull ache or as painful as a sharp stab. Therefore it is necessary to find methods that help relieve chronic pain and discomfort.
Many pain management strategies help individuals with their chronic or short-term pain. These include; pain-relieving medicines, physical therapy, psychological therapy, meditation and relaxation techniques, mind and body techniques, such as acupuncture and acupressure, and various others that help the body recover and heal.
A common and effective body technique that is known to improve health and reduce pain is acupressure. Here’s what you need to know about it and how it works:
What is Acupressure and How Does it Work?
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicinal technique used to reduce muscular tension. By applying pressure with the hand or thumb at acupoints the body’s physiological energy gets balanced.
Acupoints are specific points with a high area of electrical conductance on the body surface. Each acupoint possesses a different sensation based on where the body suffers from a specific problem. Through these acupoints, acupressure sends a signal to the body to activate the body’s regulatory mechanisms.
Acupressure uses different techniques to apply pressure on the body’s surface and points to open that particular meridian. 14 meridians connect our organs to the rest of the body. The mechanisms released by applying pressure to the meridians release energy or unblock Qi, leading to better health and healing.
Researchers find that both acupressure and acupuncture cause the release of chemicals such as endorphins and monoamines, which are released to block pain signals in the spinal cord and the brain.
Endorphins regulate the nerve cells in the brain and relax the muscles to reduce pain and anxiety. Along with this, acupressure results in lower blood pressure and reduces the heart’s workload. Some conditions that benefit from acupressure include back pain, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, stress and tension, and immune system deficiencies.
Need a Physical Therapist?
If you’re looking for a licensed massage and bodywork therapist and live in Augusta, look no further. Healing Hands is a physical therapy center that offers various services which include; treatment for musculoskeletal pain, sports injury treatment and rehab, post-operative rehab, physical therapy for men and women, and active living for seniors.
Contact us now and schedule a free Discovery Session, or visit our website to learn more about the services we provide.