How does acupressure work?

Whenever I suffer from a headache, my friend applies pressure to a specific point on my hand. Remarkably, this action relieves my headache. How does this happen? Your friend is utilizing an ancient practice, dating back approximately 5,000 years, known as acupressure. Similar to acupuncture, this technique originates from traditional Chinese medicine. While acupuncture is more commonly recognized, many sources indicate that acupressure actually preceded acupuncture by around 2,500 years.

Both acupressure and acupuncture, along with other therapies like Shiatsu and reflexology, are rooted in the idea of a person's energy or life force. This philosophy proposes that a vital energy, referred to as chi or qi (pronounced chee), flows through the body via pathways called meridians. Traditional Chinese medicine identifies 20 meridians, but acupressure and acupuncture primarily focus on 14: the 12 regular meridians (see sidebar) and two additional ones known as the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel.

This theory suggests that a blockage in the flow of chi leads to discomfort or illness. To restore the flow of energy or direct it to a specific area, an acupressure practitioner applies pressure to an acupoint. Experts in Traditional Chinese medicine have identified over 300 acupoints along the 14 meridians, each with a Chinese name and an alphanumeric code, such as Shenmen (HT7).

The Japanese technique of Shiatsu, which translates to "finger pressure," closely resembles acupressure. In both practices, thumbs are typically used to apply pressure, though other fingers, knuckles, palms, elbows, and even feet may be utilized in certain therapies. The intensity and duration of pressure vary, ranging from moderate to deep pressure, applied for several seconds to minutes, and the treatment can be performed once or multiple times.

The acupoint your friend pressed to alleviate your headache is called the Hegu (LI4) point. Hegu is its Chinese name, and LI4 denotes its location on the large-intestine meridian.

Western medical science currently lacks evidence to validate the theories behind acupressure and related therapies. Nonetheless, recent studies have explored its potential for temporarily easing nausea and headache pain. Some findings indicate that stimulating specific points may trigger the brain to release more endorphins, natural proteins that act as pain relievers.

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