Acupressure

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Manipulative and body-based methods -
NCCAM classifications
  1. Alternative Medical Systems
  2. Mind-Body Intervention
  3. Biologically Based Therapy
  4. Manipulative Methods
  5. Energy Therapy
See also

Acupressure (a blend of "acupuncture" and "pressure") is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique derived from acupuncture. In acupressure physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices. Reviews of acupressure clinical trials have been conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; for most conditions they have concluded a lack of effectiveness or lack of well-conducted clinical trials.

Traditional Chinese medicine's acupuncture theory predates use of the scientific method, and has received various criticisms based on scientific thinking. There is no known anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.1 Acupuncturists tend to perceive TCM concepts in functional rather than structural terms, i.e. as being useful in guiding evaluation and care of patients. 23 Neuroimaging research suggests that certain acupuncture points have distinct effects that are not otherwise predictable anatomically.4

Contents

Background

Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The TCM theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled "chi"). This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM, not that of science.

Many East Asian martial arts also make extensive study and use of acupressure for self-defense and health purposes (chin na, tui na). The points or combinations of points are said to be used to manipulate or incapacitate an opponent. Also, martial artists regularly massage their own acupressure points in routines to remove blockages from their own meridians, claiming to thereby enhance their circulation and flexibility and keeping the points "soft" or less vulnerable to an attack.

Research

A preliminary randomized trial of Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) found a possible weak correlation with weight loss maintenance using TAT versus Qigong or self-directed support, suggesting that TAT might outperform the other methods studied. The results were not statistically significant, but a separation test indicated that further study is warranted.5 A full randomized trial of TAT versus standard weightloss management intervention is currently being conducted, funded by the NCCAM.6

An acupressure wristband that is claimed to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness and other forms of nausea is available. The band is designed to provide pressure to the P6 acupuncture point, a point that has been extensively investigated.7 The Cochrane Collaboration, a group of evidence-based medicine (EBM) reviewers, reviewed the use of P6 for nausea and vomiting, and found it to be effective for reducing post-operative nausea, but not vomiting [1]. The Cochrane review included various means of stimulating P6, including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, laser stimulation, acustimulation device and acupressure; it did not comment on whether one or more forms of stimulation were more effective. EBM reviewer Bandolier said that P6 acupressure in two studies showed 52% of patients with control having a success, compared with 75% with P6 acupressure[2]. One author of an article published in the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine disagreed [3].

A Cochrane Collaboration review found that massage provided some long-term benefit for low back pain, and said: It seems that acupressure or pressure point massage techniques provide more relief than classic (Swedish) massage, although more research is needed to confirm this.[4]

Acupressure Work Theory

According to the principles of TCM, qi flows through the body via 14 primary meridians or channels. To strengthen the flow of qi,or remove blockages in the meridians, an acupuncturist inserts a number of tiny, sterile, flexible needles just under the skin at certain specific points (called acupoints) along the channels. There are four to five hundred named acupoints along the meridians, some of which are associated with specific internal organs or organ systems. If you are suffering from nausea, for example, needles might be inserted into acupoints on your wrist, while a vision problem might be treated with needles in the foot. (Additional ear, scalp, and hand points are also commonly used by some practitioners.) Acupuncture practitioners believe that the therapy stimulates the body’s internal regulatory system and nurtures a natural healing response.

Criticism of TCM theory

Main article: Acupuncture#Criticism of TCM theory

Clinical use of acupressure frequently relies on the conceptual framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which some scholars have characterized as pseudoscientific. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.1 Proponents reply that TCM is a prescientific system that continues to have practical relevance. Acupuncturists tend to perceive TCM concepts in functional rather than structural terms (e.g., as being useful in guiding evaluation and care of patients). 3

Instruments

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Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations of additional sources. (January 2009)

There are several different instruments for applying acupressure by rubbing or rolling against the body.8

Acu ball

The acu ball (also acuball or magic ball) is a small ball made of rubber, wood or plastic, with protuberances. It is used to apply acupressure and relieve muscle and joint pain.8

Energy roller

The energy roller is a small cylinder with protuberances. It is held between the hands and rolled back and forth to apply acupressure.8

Foot roller

The foot roller (also "krupa chakra") is a round, cylindrical roller with protuberances. It is placed on the floor and the foot is rolled back and forth over it.8

Power mat

The power mat (also pyramid mat) is a mat with small pyramid-shaped bumps that you walk on.8

Spine roller

The spine roller is a bumpy roller containing magnets that is rolled up and down the spine.8

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Felix Mann: "...acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots that a drunkard sees in front of his eyes." (Mann F. Reinventing Acupuncture: A New Concept of Ancient Medicine. Butterworth Heinemann, London, 1996,14.) Quoted by Matthew Bauer in Chinese Medicine Times, Vol 1 Issue 4 - Aug 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"
  2. ^ Kaptchuk, 1983, pp. 34-35
  3. ^ a b "Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology of the "acupuncture points", the definition and characterization of these points remains controversial. Even more elusive is the basis of some of the key traditional Eastern medical concepts such as the circulation of Qi, the meridian system, and the five phases theory, which are difficult to reconcile with contemporary biomedical information but continue to play an important role in the evaluation of patients and the formulation of treatment in acupuncture." Acupuncture. National Institutes of Health: Consensus Development Conference Statement, November 3-5, 1997. Available online at consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107html.htm. Retrieved 30 January 2007.
  4. ^ Pariente J, Lewith GT; White PJ (September 2005). "http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2/3/315 Investigating acupuncture using brain imaging techniques: the current state of play.]". Evid Based Complement Alternat Med - Oxford University Press 2 (3): 315. doi:10.1093/ecam/neh110. PMID 16136210. http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2/3/315. Retrieved on 6 March 2007. 
  5. ^ Mist, S.; C. Elder, M. Aikin, C Ritenbaugh (2005). "Phase I/II randomized trial of Tapas Acupressure for weightloss maintenance". Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies 10: 38–9. http://www.medicinescomplete.com/journals/fact/current/fact1005a13a60.htm. Retrieved on 9 February 2008. 
  6. ^ Elder, Charles R.. "Randomized Trial of Tapas Acupressure Technique for Weightloss Maintenance". Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  7. ^ Dent HE, Dewhurst NG, Mills SY, Willoughby M. Continuous PC6 wristband acupressure for relief of nausea and vomiting associated with acute myocardial infarction: a partially randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2003 Jun ;11 (2):72-7 http://lib.bioinfo.pl/pmid:12801491
  8. ^ a b c d e f Sharma, Rajeev (2003). Medicina Alternativa. Alpha Science Int'l Ltd. p. 196-200. http://books.google.com/books?id=iyl2XMxr6iAC&pg=PA198&dq=acuball#PPA196,M1. Retrieved on 2009-01-5. 

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