Acupressure is a therapy that can be used for relieving pain, alleviating stress, boosting energy and improving circulation, among others. It involves the application of manual pressure, usually with the fingertips, to specific points on the body.

Like acupuncture, acupressure has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it has been in use for over 2,000 years. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, invisible pathways of energy called meridians flow within the body. Acupuncture and acupressure points lie along those meridians.

Practitioners of TCM believe that if the flow of energy is blocked at any point on a meridian, it can cause various symptoms and health conditions anywhere along the meridian. Hence why it is possible to relieve a headache by massaging pressure points on the hand.

Acupressure can be used as a form of self-healing or you can get someone to practice on you. In the below video, Qi Gong specialist and acupuncturist Lee Holden demonstrates three common acupressure points that help to relieve pain, reduce stress and increase energy.

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyles including sustainable and green living. She also offers content services to businesses and individuals at Rosamedea.com