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Acupressure
Overview
Acupressure is a treatment used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It's similar to acupuncture but involves applying pressure rather than needles.
The purpose of acupressure is to stimulate points that correspond to specific organs, emotions, or feelings. In TCM, it's thought that disease is caused by an imbalance or blocked flow of energy (qi, or "chi"). Most acupressure points are near nerves. Applying pressure at these points may block pain signals.
People use acupressure for many types of pain, especially back pain and menstrual cramps. It is also used for anxiety, constipation, nausea, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
Don't confuse acupressure with other practices used in TCM, including acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acustimulation. These are not the same.
The purpose of acupressure is to stimulate points that correspond to specific organs, emotions, or feelings. In TCM, it's thought that disease is caused by an imbalance or blocked flow of energy (qi, or "chi"). Most acupressure points are near nerves. Applying pressure at these points may block pain signals.
People use acupressure for many types of pain, especially back pain and menstrual cramps. It is also used for anxiety, constipation, nausea, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
Don't confuse acupressure with other practices used in TCM, including acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acustimulation. These are not the same.
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