Does the word acupressure bring to mind images of human pincushions and showy but vacant practitioners (not to mention a lack of evidence to back their claims)? It may be time to revisit your sources.
To begin with, acupressure is unlike its cousin, acupuncture—in that it forgoes the use of needles and instead relies on fingers and elbows to free the flow of energy, or chi. Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that chi flows along pathways called meridians. Of course, when they are blocked, illness follows.
Researchers, who have found acupressure and acupuncture to be effective, explain acupressure's curative powers somewhat differently. They hypothesize that the treatments may release chemicals called opioid peptides (endorphins are an example of these), which is one of the body's natural responses to pain.
The most widely documented use of acupressure is to treat nausea. One rigorous meta-analysis reviewed various studies that tested the use of a point on the forearm, to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting. They reported that it was, in fact, effective in lessening nausea, but not vomiting.
To examine its effectiveness, researchers used acupressure to treat common types of nausea. Nausea during pregnancy, for example, seems to dissipate with treatment. A review article, which explored the effectiveness of several different alternative remedies for morning sickness, found that acupressure may be the most effective in treating chronic nausea.
For those who suffer from motion sickness, research indicates that acupressure could be a viable solution as well. A study from Humboldt College in Canada tested acupressure's effects on motion sickness, and found that it's more than a placebo. In the study, one group of subjects was given "real" acupressure and a control group was given faux acupressure (treatment was applied to inaccurate spots). Not only did the "real" group experience less nausea—it also had less abnormal gastric activity. For those who want to test the success of acupressure, forearm bands are available and can put pressure on, and banish, motion sickness.
Other studies have found success in using acupressure to treat nausea induced by chemotherapy, anesthesia and more. You should consult a doctor before replacing a prescribed medicine with any alternative therapy. However, you may want to try acupressure—and acupuncture—before enlisting more invasive procedures. The bottom line: Consider giving the therapy a try—research shows that it stands up under pressure.
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Chinese medicine,
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