| Pressure Point Therapies
Pressure point therapies use finger pressure on specific points--usually
related to the oriental meridian points (see the glossary), but also other
neurological release points--to reduce pain and treat various disease
states. There are antecedents in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Adamus and A'tatis described a pressure system in 1582, and the sculptor
Cellini (1500-71) wrote of using pressure points to relieve pain. In 1770
the Jesuit Amiat contributed to European understanding with an article
on Chinese pressure point "massage." This article influenced the Swedish
therapeutic massage pioneer Ling. In turn, Swedish therapeutic massage
influenced traditional Japanese folk massage in the early 20th century,
and this cross-fertilization became known as shiatsu. About 1913, Fitzgerald,
an American, developed what came to be known as zone therapy. Fitzgerald
had been influenced by Bressler in Europe. The use of pressure points
has evolved under several systems, some of which are discussed below.
Reflexology. Fitzgerald's work with hand reflex points was developed and
promoted by ~Ingram in the United States and Marquardt in Europe. Because
in this system specific "zones" on the feet are related to specific organs,
the system is often called zone therapy. There is a related system of
hand zone therapy as well. The results reported for the process include
relief of pain; release of kidney stones; and recovery from the effects
of stroke, sinusitis, sciatica, and menstrual and other disorders (Marquardt,
1983). Traditional Chinese massage. Traditional Chinese remedial massage
methods were described in the texts of the Han period (202 B.C. to circa
220 A.D.). By the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), these systems were taught
in special institutes. Both "tonification" (energizing) and "sedation"
techniques are used to treat and relieve many medical conditions. Major
techniques in use are • ma, rubbing with palm or finger tips; • pai, tapping
with palm or finger tips; ~ • tao, strong pinching with thumb and fingertip;
• an, rapid and rhythmical pressing with thumb, palm, or back of the clenched
hand; • nie, twisting, with both thumbs and tips of the index fingers
grasping and twisting the area being treated; • ning, pinching and lifting
in a stationary position; • na, moving while performing ning; and • tui,
pushing, often with slight vibratory effect. These techniques are usually
used in combinations. Two prominent groupings of techniques are known
as an-mo and tui-na. ~Widely varying illnesses and conditions are treated
with traditional Chinese massage, including the common cold, sleeplessness,
leg cramps, painful menses, whooping cough, diarrhea, abdominal pains,
headache, asthma, rheumatic pains, stiff neck, colic, bed-wetting, nasal
bleeding, lumbago, and throat pains. Acupressure systems. Currently, four
systems in which the fingers manipulate the oriental meridian system are
in widespread use in the United States. In all these systems, pressure
is applied to meridian points (acupuncture points on the meridians; also
called acupoints) to stimulate or sedate them. Amounts of pressure and
length of application vary according to the system, the ailment, and the
intent. All of these systems--shiatsu, tsubo, jin shin jyutsu, and jin
shin do--rely on traditional oriental medical theory (see the "Alternative
Systems of Medical Practice" chapter), although their treatment methods
vary considerably. Shiatsu and tsubo rely largely on sequenced applications
of pressure applied from one end of each meridian to the other. The patient
reclines, usually lying on the back and then the front for approximately
equal periods as the practitioner uses thumb pressure to stimulate the
~point through a combination of direct pressure and transference of qi
(see the glossary) to the point from the practitioner's thumb. "Barefoot
shiatsu" is a form that uses foot pressure to stimulate the meridian points.
Sessions typically treat the meridians of the entire body in an attempt
to bring relaxation, harmony, and balance to the patient. Shiatsu, which
is traditional in Japan, has been used in the United States quite extensively
for about 20 years. Therapy sessions have a strong focus on long-term
health improvement. Procedures include specific treatments for a variety
of functional disorders as well as postural, stress-related, and emotional
problems. Conditions that have been improved include headache, asthma,
bronchitis, diarrhea, depression, and circulatory problems (Namikoshi,
1969). Jin shin jyutsu and jin shin do have developed sequences of meridian
point pressure applications that are specific to the ailment being addressed.
These systems are used more often than shiatsu and tsubo as alternative
treatment approaches. Jin shin jyutsu, the "art of circulation awakening,"
was developed in Japan by Jiro Murai in the early 1900s and brought to
the United States in the 1960s by Mary Iino Burmeister. It is the antecedent
of jin shin do, which was developed in the United States by Iona Teeguarden
in the 1980s. ~Sessions are primarily for treatment of specific problems.
The approach is similar to that of acupuncture, as the meridian connections
to the organs are understood and applied, but from somewhat different
application perspectives. Pressure is applied to the meridian points,
which are then held in specific patterns, to tonify or detonify (energize
or enervate) the meridian qi. Conditions addressed include a wide range
of organic dysfunctions (Teeguarden, 1987).
- Australia > Australian Capital Territory
> Canberra > Health > Care Providers > Clinics and Practices
> Alternative
-
- Life
Gate Natural Therapy Clinic - specialising in a hands-on
approach, using massage, stretching and deep pressure techniques
to harmonise body, mind and soul.
- U.S. States > Connecticut > Groton
> Health > Care Providers > Clinics and Practices > Alternative
> Massage
Therapy
-
- Rising
Sun Touch Reflexology - non-invasive therapy using a
gentle but firm pressure to stimulate reflex areas found
in the hands and feet. Offers several methods.
- South Africa > Western Cape > Mossel
Bay > Business and Shopping > Business to Business > Health
Care > Medical
Equipment
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