How Acupuncture Pressure Points Can Help

There are many different pressure points located throughout the body. These pressure points are small areas throughout the body that react to stimuli.

The study of acupuncture works on the principle that an energy or life force called qi, flows throughout the body. Any illness, pain or unwell feelings are generally caused because the natural flow of qi has been interrupted or changed or altered in some way. In order to restore the natural flow of qi to the body, acupuncture points or 'acupoints' as they are known, are targeted to achieve this goal.

There are specific acupoints in the body that need to be targeted in order to achieve the desired results. Specific points are used for specific ailments. The science of acupuncture has been used by the Chinese culture for over 3000 years. The pressure points used in acupuncture are the same whether the treatment be laser acupuncture, sonopuncture or acupressure.

There are hundreds of acupuncture points around our bodies. These pressure points are located on what are named 'meridians'. Meridians are points that correlate to different parts of our bodies. These meridians may not seem to connect to an untrained person e.g. by treating your hand in order to relieve a headache. In addition to the meridian points, there are also pressure points throughout our bodies. Acupuncture practitioners target the appropriate pressure points, which relieve discomfort and pain experienced by patients.

When the correct pressure points are treated, they stimulate the flow of qi back to that part of the body assisting in the healing of the condition. Acupuncturists are trained to know which pressure points relate to which part of the body are able to locate the correct points for the required treatment. An example is a headache. It is necessary to know which pressure points to stimulate in order to relieve the pain and get the required result. The pressure point may not be anywhere near the head and could be in the hand or foot.

Qi flows throughout the body in a never-ending stream, so it is quite conceivable that the specific pressure point to be treated could be located on the complete opposite side of the body from where the pain or discomfort is felt.

Many categories of pressure points are used to treat varying conditions and professionals choose the points connected to that part of the body causing discomfort or pain. One of the most common methods used is the Five Transporting Point system. Other treatments that are effective include the Five Points Phases, Back-shu, Xi-Cleft, Lou-connecting and many others.