Acupressure is a therapeutic technique that applies digital pressure to the body to relieve pain, reduce muscular tension, and improve overall health by enhancing the circulation of qi. It is easy to learn and can be performed by laypersons, providing effective relief from various symptoms, notably for chronic pain and digestive issues. In contrast, acupuncture involves precise needle insertion and is mainly used for a broader range of ailments, offering drug-free pain relief but may carry risks such as soreness and infections.

1. ACUPRESSURE &ACUPRESSURE &
ACUPUNCTUREACUPUNCTURE
Mrs. AMRITA ROY
M.Sc PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
NIMHANS,BANGALORE

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

4. PRINCIPLEPRINCIPLE
• The principle behind the use of
acupressure treatment is to increase the
circulation and functioning of Qi
(Tukapua, 2005)

5. USESUSES
 prevention and as a treatment for many
health conditions
 reduces stress, stimulates the
immune system.
 improves circulation

6. USESUSES
 Acupressure is used for treating a variety
of disorders.
 It stimulates a healthy digestive function
 soothes chronic pain
 improves energy levels and concentration

7. TECHNIQUES USEDTECHNIQUES 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

8. INSTRUMENTS USEDINSTRUMENTS USED

9. ACUPRESSURE POINTSACUPRESSURE POINTS

10. ACUPRESSURE POINTSACUPRESSURE POINTS

11. ACUPRESSURE POINTSACUPRESSURE POINTS

12. BENEFITSBENEFITS
 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.

13. BENEFITSBENEFITS
• 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.

14. BENEFITSBENEFITS
 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).

15. ACUPRESSURE FOR COMMONACUPRESSURE FOR COMMON
AILMENTSAILMENTS

17. DEFINITIONDEFINITION
 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”

18. USESUSES
• 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

19. TECHNIQUES USEDTECHNIQUES 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.
!

20. TECHNIQUES USEDTECHNIQUES USED
• Other acupoint
stimulation
techniques
include: manual
massage,
moxibustion or
heat therapy,
cupping, and the
application of
topical herbal
medicines.

21. ACUPOINTSACUPOINTS

22. TREATMENT PROCESSTREATMENT 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.

23. TREATMENT PROCESSTREATMENT 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.

24. CONDITIONS COMMONLY CONDITIONS COMMONLY
TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURETREATED 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.

25. BENEFITSBENEFITS
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

26. BENEFITSBENEFITS
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.

27. RISKSRISKS
 soreness, minor bleeding or
bruising at the needle sites
 Organ injury
 Infections

28. CONTRAINDICATIONSCONTRAINDICATIONS
 Bleeding disorders
 Having a pacemaker
 Being pregnant

29. THANK YOU