PRESSURE POINT MASSAGE

Long before the existence of European massage techniques, Asian cultures had pioneered a form of massage based on the body’s pressure points. It is still one of the best ways to relieve muscular pain and discomfort.

The Bronze Man, used in bygone times to display pressure points

Pressure point massage focuses on certain key points in the body where tightness and stiffness tend to accumulate. Anyone who spends long hours at the office recognizes the feeling of pressure or tension building up after sitting hunched at their desk all day. Instead of relying on over-the-counter pain relief, pressure point massage can be a great antidote to this daily discomfort.

WHAT ARE PRESSURE POINTS?

Pressure points, also known as meridians in Chinese medicine, are specific points of the body where energy tends to build up. By incorporating a type of massage that targets these pressure points, your masseuse can open up the surrounding blood vessels so that your energy, or chi, can flow more freely.

WHAT IS PRESSURE POINT MASSAGE?

Suppose that after hours sitting at the computer, you begin feeling a deep, sharp pain somewhere beside your shoulder blade. Without even thinking, you reach back to the point of pain and attempt to massage it. This, in essence, is a rudimentary form of pressure point massage. While this form of self-administered massage can be helpful, approaching a more practiced pressure point massage specialist might be the best way to find the relief you need. There are several types and techniques of pressure point massage. They all aim, however, to concentrate on certain pressure points in order to relieve different ailments and pain affecting the body. The most important thing to remember is that your pain does not always correlate to a pressure point in the same part of the body. This is why you should leave it to the experts.

Historic image depicting accupuncture

TYPES OF PRESSURE POINT MASSAGE

By stimulating certain pressure points and nerve centers, a masseuse can alleviate all kinds of health problems. Types of pressure point massage include shiatsu, acupressure, and reflexology. Once you learn more about each one, you can find the type that is best for you.

Shiatsu Massage: This word literally translates in Japanese to “finger pressure,” which gives you some insight into how this technique works. During a shiatsu session, the practitioner will use his or her fingers, thumbs, and palms to put pressure on specific points on the body, depending on the patient’s needs. Some shiatsu massages concentrate only on pressure points, while other practitioners incorporate more general body and energy work into the session. Styles include Zen, macrobiotic, healing, Namikoshi, movement, and Hara.

DIY: Ease Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain are often the result of stress or prolonged poor posture and can lead to tension headaches. Specialists suggest using several pressure points for the relief of shoulder pain, including this most commonly used technique.

• Spread the fingers of one hand wide apart, and with your other hand grab hold of the web of stretched skin between your thumb and pointer finger.

• Apply a firm pressure until you feel a light ache.

• Hold for five seconds.

• Release and repeat three more times.

Acupressure Massage: Acupressure has its earliest roots in traditional Chinese medicine, which has incorporated this practice for the past 2,000 years. Much like acupuncture, which uses tiny needles to stimulate certain key pressure points, in acupressure massage your masseuse will apply finger-pressure at certain meridians, or pressure points. If you’re squeamish about being stuck with many tiny needles, give acupressure massage a try instead.