ENERGY HEALING AND ACUPRESSURE: HOW THEY WORK?

February 6, 2019May 1, 2019 Ask4healthcare

Energy Healing and Acupressure Methods

Energy is one thing that is unquestionably universal amongst all. It is an all-encompassing force that allows for life to subsist and thrive. This remains the focus of many ancient eastern health practices and treatment methods for the problems that usually afflict most people. Depending on the method, energy healing focuses on the life force that flows through all—the force that determines an individual’s mood, health, and ability to connect with other beings. In Chinese and Japanese culture that force is referred to as Ki or Qi (pronounced: chi). In India, it is known as prana—the energy that spins and flows through the chakras—an intangible force that cannot be comprehended in the materialist sense.

Influencing this flow of energy by implementing physical and mental awareness and intention can bring about profound and predictable results. Through acupressure human bodies can be altered to provide higher states of health, consciousness and, of course, energy. All acupressure methods, styles, and massage techniques use the same ancient acupressure trigger points. They vary in using different rhythms and pressures for stimulating the acupressure points, using not only fingers, but also hands, arms, legs, and even feet. Some styles also incorporate other healing techniques. Shiatsu therapy, the traditional Japanese form of acupressure, can be quite vigorous, with deep pressure applied to each point for three to five seconds. In Jin Shin acupressure, at least two points are gently held for a minute or more. This style also uses the “extra meridians” or “extraordinary vessels,” which balance the meridians. Tuina Chinese massage and Thai massage stimulate the Qi healing energy using acupressure hand movements, full body stretches, and other Chinese massage techniques. These energy healing techniques can help one find an approach that is right for him/her and lead an individual on a path to healing and sustained health, either as a primary or supplemental modality.

How Do Energy Healing and Acupressure Work?

Energy blockages whether from stress, trauma, or an injury, can be traced to the root of all health problems. The energy flow affects how an individual feels, how he/she thinks, and how he/she breathes. Just as negative thoughts can block the energy flow, positive thoughts can increase the healing energy. When the body’s life-force energy becomes blocked, various emotional imbalances and physical symptoms also result. These energy blockages occur at the acupressure points. Through a variety of acupressure methods ranging from light touch, tapping, to simply holding the points, the body’s life energy is able to flow and re-balance.

Acupressure points have a high electrical conductivity at the surface of the skin, and thus conduct and channel healing energy most effectively. This is why the most potent healing energy work uses acupressure points. Yoga practices also work on enhancing the same universal healing energy, which exists in our environment, and links us to all forms of life.

The 12 meridians of traditional Chinese medicine are the body’s healing energy pathways. Meridian massage therapy moves this life energy through the meridians to improve flow and balance. Acupressure- and acupuncture-chart show where the meridian lines are on the body. The points are where vital energy gets blocked on the meridians, and where one can most effectively release the resulting tension, numbness, or pain. As healing energy flows through the meridians, it governs blood circulation and harmonizes all functions of the body. Studying the meridian pathways and pressure points for transmitting Qi healing energy is vital to transformational energy work.

A skilled acupressurist can integrate many complementary health care methods and therapies into a complete treatment. Examples include therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, acupressure meridian therapy, five element assessments, pulse reading, Asian bodywork therapy, energy psychology (which involves tapping acupressure points), and acupressure massage therapy techniques.