Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique developed in Tibet before acupuncture that involves applying physical pressure to trigger points on the body to clear blockages in meridians and rebalance energy flow. Pressure can be applied by hand, elbow, or devices. Some studies suggest it may help manage nausea/vomiting or lower back pain, though others view it as dubious. Acupressure points used can be in or out of the targeted symptom area, with the goal of stimulating the meridian system to relieve issues by balancing yin, yang, and qi. Martial arts also use acupressure points for self-defense and health by manipulating or incapacitating opponents or massaging their own points.

1. Acupressure
Acupressure [from Latin acus "needle" (see acuity) + pressure (n.).] is an alternative medicine technique
developed in Tibet before the development of Acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which
flows through "meridians" in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to trigger points with the aim
of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices.
Some medical studies have suggested that acupressure may be effective at helping manage nausea and
vomiting, or for helping lower back pain. According to Quackwatch acupressure is a dubious practice, and its
practitioners use irrational methods.[1]
Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they
work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled
"chi"). This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM.[citation needed]
Many East Asian martial arts also make extensive study and use of acupressure for self-defense and health
purposes, (chin na, tui na). The points or combinations of points are said to be used to manipulate or
incapacitate an opponent. Also, martial artists regularly massage their own acupressure points in routines to
remove blockages from their own meridians, claiming to thereby enhance their circulation and flexibility and
keeping the points "soft" or less vulnerable to an attack.[citation needed]