
19/02/2024
Pressure Points on Hands!
Pressure points refer to specific points on the body that are thought to provide certain health benefits when massaged.
Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believe you can massage different pressure points to provide pain relief, reduce tension, speed up the healing process, and more.
Forms of complementary and alternative medicine like reflexology and acupressure often use pressure points when applying therapies.
There are many pressure points located throughout the body, and some research supports their potential benefits.
You can massage some of your own pressure points at home, or see a specialist to target these areas.
What Are Pressure Points?
In the practice of reflexology, pressure points refer to points on the hands and feet that “map onto” other parts of the body, such as internal organs or a larger area like the back or chest. For example, one small point on the foot may correspond to the lungs, while another corresponds to the liver.
Reflexology practitioners believe applying a certain amount of pressure to a particular point can provide relief and promote healing in the region of the body the point corresponds to.
Pressure points, also known as acupoints, are also often used in acupuncture and acupressure — which is a practice similar to acupuncture done without needles. In these practices, pressure points are thought to be sites where “Qi,” or vital energy, is able to flow and enter and exit the body.
Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioners and other people who practice acupressure believe massaging or pressing down on pressure points can improve the flow of Qi throughout the body.
Some people also use self-massage on pressure points to relieve pain, reduce stress, and more.
How Many Pressure Points Are In the Human Body?
There are 361 standardized acupoints for acupuncture and acupressure. However, there may be more pressure points than those currently identified. Some researchers argue there are over 400 acupoints, while others think there may be thousands.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pressure points are located along one of 12 principal meridians, or “passageways,” in the body. Some people believe blockages can form along these meridians, which can halt or disrupt your flow of energy and cause health problems. By massaging pressure points, you may be able to remove the "blockage" and facilitate the flow.