In our day to day lives we deal with many situations that sometimes stress us, affect our health and few minor hiccups occur like body aches, headaches and so on. Personally I don’t like to rely too much on allopathy and I am always on the lookout for the alternative or non-conventional remedies for such matter and others too. Among these the names are acupuncture and acupressure are commonly found and talked about.
Both acupuncture and acupressure are traditional Chinese treatments. Even though these don’t actively involve any drug but they are used both exclusively & in conjunction with other forms of treatment to facilitate healing from various ailments. Both these forms of treatment are based on the belief that our bodies have certain points (called meridian or acupoints) that are connected to all body organs. Through these points or channels our life force better known as Chi flows. But when there is any disruption or blockage of this flow it manifests itself in the form of health woes. Sometimes even outside forces like stress and other can do the harm. Correcting this blockage or getting this life force to that organ is how order is restored. Acupuncture and acupressure both work on these principles.
Although there are many similarities between the two, there are some key differences as well:
The key difference lies in the way they are performed. Acupressure like the name suggests is the art of applying sufficient pressure (like massage) to the affected area and getting the chi flowing again. Whereas acupuncture is like pinching the tyre and taking out the bad air. Bad example may be, but in thin needles are stuck in those meridian points (you are thinking ouch but really it isn’t painful). Some suggest that it taps into nerve system but basically it gets the life force flowing again.
The second difference lies in the fact that with some knowledge, acupressure can be self-practiced whereas you shouldn’t dare it in acupuncture. That is better left to the experts.
Acupressure is commonly used to rehabilitate after cancer treatment to relieve the after-effects, motion sickness, muscle tension, nausea. Whereas Acupuncture works well against arthritis, skin problem, blood pressure levels, chronic pain or fatigue. Some conditions like stress management, headaches, immunity strengthen can benefit from both.
Some suggest that acupuncture as a mode of strengthening acupoints is better mode, since the needles can activate the healing from a deeper level. But if you are not comfortable with the idea of needles in your body, than acupressure is always there for you.
In the end it’s your body and your call. There will always be someone for it and someone against it. But harmony will follow you if only when you take the reins and you let it flow.