Acupressure & acupuncture

ACUPRESSURE & ACUPRESSURE & ACUPUNCTUREACUPUNCTURE

Mrs. AMRITA ROYM.Sc PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

NIMHANS,BANGALORE

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

Acupressure is the application of digital pressure on parts of the body in a therapeutic way to relive pain or to reduce muscular tension.

PRINCIPLEPRINCIPLE

• The principle behind the use of acupressure treatment is to increase the circulation and functioning of Qi (Tukapua, 2005)

USESUSES

prevention and as a treatment for many  health conditions

 reduces stress, stimulates the immune system.

improves circulation

USESUSES Acupressure is used for treating a variety

of disorders.

It stimulates a healthy digestive function

soothes chronic pain

improves energy levels and concentration

TECHNIQUES USEDTECHNIQUES USED

• Acupressure technique involves pressure application, rubbing, stretching, rolling, kneading, wiping, grasping and exercises.

• Intensity of pressure varies

• different approaches for applying pressure:– Constant Pressure– Intermittent Pressure

INSTRUMENTS USEDINSTRUMENTS USED

ACUPRESSURE POINTSACUPRESSURE POINTS

ACUPRESSURE POINTSACUPRESSURE POINTS

ACUPRESSURE POINTSACUPRESSURE POINTS

BENEFITSBENEFITS

It works to set the whole body in balance so that it works to function better as a whole.

Regular treatments result in an improvement in overall physical and mental health.

BENEFITSBENEFITS

• Unlike acupuncture which requires a  visit to a professional, acupressure can  be performed by a layperson.

• Acupressure techniques are fairly easy to learn, and have been used to provide 

quick,cost-free, and effective relief  from many symptoms.

BENEFITSBENEFITS

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has shown that Acupressure is effective for treating back pain in terms of reducing disability and pain scores and increasing functional status.

The study, which compared Acupressure and Physical Therapy , showed that overall Acupressure was more effective in these areas both immediately after the treatments and at the 6 month follow up (Chen, 2006).

ACUPRESSURE FOR COMMON ACUPRESSURE FOR COMMON AILMENTSAILMENTS

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

 According to merriam-webster dictionary;

“it is a method of relieving pain or curing illness by placing needles into a person's skin at particular points on the body”

USESUSES

• Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions

• Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders

TECHNIQUES USEDTECHNIQUES USED

The most common method used to stimulate acupoints is the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. Pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation may further enhance the effects.

!

TECHNIQUES USEDTECHNIQUES USED

• Other acupoint stimulation techniques include: manual massage, moxibustion or heat therapy, cupping, and the application of topical herbal medicines.

ACUPOINTSACUPOINTS

TREATMENT PROCESSTREATMENT PROCESS• The initial evaluation may take up to 60

minutes. Subsequent appointments usually take about a half-hour.

• A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week.

• Number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity, but six to eight treatments are common.

TREATMENT PROCESSTREATMENT PROCESS

• For complex or long-standing chronic conditions, one to two treatments per week for several months may be recommended.

• For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required, usually eight to ten visits in total.

CONDITIONS COMMONLY CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURETREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE

It successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, and others) to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and infertility.

BENEFITSBENEFITS

provides drug-free pain relief

effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments

treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms

BENEFITSBENEFITS

assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being

Studies have found promising results for the use of acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy, 

chemotherapy, and post-surgery pain.

RISKSRISKS

soreness, minor bleeding or bruising at the needle sites

Organ injury

Infections

CONTRAINDICATIONSCONTRAINDICATIONS

Bleeding disorders

Having a pacemaker

Being pregnant

THANK YOU