What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these acupressure points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle but firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

Benefits of Using Acupressure

include relieving pain, balancing the body, and maintaining good health. Acupressure's healing touch reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure therapy strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.

Energy Work

The most potent form of energy work uses acupressure points. Energy (known as Chi or Qi) flows most freely when you touch, press, hold, or massage acupressure points. These healing pressure points are the gateways to the body's life energy force, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This universal energy source is also the basis of traditional Martial Arts self-defense techniques and traditional healing art practices. The flow of this vital healing energy governs blood circulation and the function and balance of the human body. Studying the location and how to touch these acupuncture points is key to transformational energy work and massage therapy.

Shiatsu & Massage therapy

Shiatsu is -like acupuncture- based on the theory of yin/yang and the 5 elements. Knowledge and understanding of this theory is essential to make a proper diagnose.

Shiatsu literally means finger pressure. Natural body weight is used when pressure is applied on special points on the body. Through this pressure the energy flowing in the meridians is influenced. This energy is called chi.

There are 5 types of treatment: acupuncture, medicines and herbs, curving with stones, moxa and anma (massage). Shiatsu came from anma. It was recommended for people
living in the center of the country, near to the yellow river. In this area the culture was most developed and people were doing more mental than physical work. The same can be said about us. The Japanese took many things from Chinese culture to change and
develop. So they did with anma and acupuncture and developed it into "shiatsu".