Acupressure
is a part of Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries by the Chinese.
Today, the West too understands the significance of this form of treatment as
more and more people are shunning away from painkillers and harsh medication
that cause serious consequences in the long run.
The
Chinese believe in a concept called Qi or Chi. Chi is the air or the breath or
the life force that flows in everyone. When your chi is good, you are healthy,
happy and well. On the other hand, when the flow of chi is obstructed, it
results in health problems.
Acupuncture
and acupressure correct these flaws in chi, thereby restoring the balance of
yin and yang, the two opposing components of qi. As a result, disorders are
corrected and a healthy and well life is possible. Acupressure has been used
for many years to treat fatigue, tiredness, and pain and to increase immunity.
Today, acupressure is becoming a very popular method to help manage obesity.
In
this article, we will specifically discuss acupressure massage to lose weight,
how it works, pressure points that you can use in the comfort of your home, as
well as whether or not this treatment actually works.
The acupressure
weight loss connection
According
to the concept of Qi, the life force travels in certain paths in the body
called meridians, and the points on this path are called acu points or pressure
points. Activating these points by massaging and stimulating them, helps
correct problems in the Qi, resulting in a restored pathway without problems.
Further, each point on the meridian or path of the life force is responsible
for certain actions, stimulating each point will ensure that the Qi flows
unblocked, removing any ailments or illnesses.
According
to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are certain points in the body
that can help suppress appetite, help clean out the digestive system, regulate
metabolism of water, and regulate the intestines. Stimulating these pressure
points through acupressure will help suppress food cravings, improve
metabolism, and as a result promote weight loss.
Where to apply the
pressure?
Listed
below are some of the pressure points that you can access to help control
appetite and promote weight loss.
·
Suppressing appetite: Flap of the ear
right in front of the ear canal, inside of the top of the ear, and area right
next to the flap of the ear in front of the ear canal.
·
Tightening the digestive system: Near
the ankle bone.
·
Nourishing the digestive system:
Between the kneecap and the shin.
·
Regulate water metabolism: On the
leg, next to the shin bone.
These
pressure points are just approximate, and you will need to locate the exact
spot and put pressure on that spot for between one and three minutes in order
to obtain the weight reducing benefits of acupressure. While most of these can
be done at home, you will need to consult with a specialist to help you locate
the points correctly and apply the right amount of pressure to the area.
So, does
acupressure weight loss actually work?
According
to medical research, acupuncture does indeed work for weight loss, with people
losing up to 5% of weight in just three months of trying out this form of
treatment. While there is not as much research gone into proving the impact of
acupressure on weight loss, it is safe to say that as it has the same concepts
as acupuncture, there is no reason why these should not work as well for weight
loss.
With
weight loss being the number one problem of the 21st century, acupressure may
be one of the options to combat it.
