ACUPRESSURE &

ACUPUNCTURE

Mrs. AMRITA ROY

M.Sc PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
NIMHANS,BANGALORE
 DEFINITION

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

• The principle behind the use of

acupressure treatment is to increase the
circulation and functioning of Qi
(Tukapua, 2005)
 USES

 prevention and as a treatment for many

health conditions

 reduces stress, stimulates the

immune system.

 improves circulation
 USES
 Acupressure is used for treating a variety
of disorders.

 It stimulates a healthy digestive function

 soothes chronic pain

 improves energy levels and concentration

 TECHNIQUES 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 USED
ACUPRESSURE POINTS
ACUPRESSURE POINTS
ACUPRESSURE POINTS
 BENEFITS

 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.
 BENEFITS

• 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.
 BENEFITS

 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
AILMENTS
 DEFINITION

 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”
 USES

• 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 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 USED

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

 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
 BENEFITS

 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.
 RISKS

 soreness, minor bleeding or

bruising at the needle sites

 Organ injury

 Infections
 CONTRAINDICATIONS

 Bleeding disorders

 Having a pacemaker

 Being pregnant
THANK YOU