Sunday, June 04, 2006

Beat Back Pain with Acupressure

Recent findings published in the British Medical Journal have confirmed the effectiveness of acupressure treatment for sufferers of lower back pain. Acupressure is an ancient Chinese medical practice which targets the same acupoints used in acupuncture. The difference is that acupressure uses pressure rather than needles. The pressure is most commonly applied with fingertips on the specific acupressure points on your skin.

This latest research is significant in showing better results using acupressure than other methods of physical therapy. Lower back pain is often a chronic and disabling condition, so these results are encouraging for sufferers the world over. After six acupressure treatments, study participants reported both an immediate improvement in their condition, and the results were long lasting.

Using drug-free approaches to pain management is essential especially when pain is chronic in order to avoid problems with harmful side-effects, such as cardiac dysfunction, bleeding gut and liver and kidney failure, over time. It is also important to utilize treatment that actually works on improving the condition, rather than just masking the symptoms. Because acupressure does both, it is very effective and safe in curing ailments and promoting health.

Over the past thirty years, many Western scientific institutions have shown the effectiveness of acupressure in treating back pain. Research at these top institutes has clearly shown that acupressure works on the physical, not psychological, healing system of the body. Thus you don't need to be a “believer” to gain back pain relief by acupressure, like millions of people already have.

For a full back treatment you will need to see an acupressure practitioner. Luckily, most of the techniques used by the professional acupressure massagers you can use yourself to reduce pain and heal your lower back. Take a step towards better self-care today, and take advantage of this ancient approach to health and wellness. By Virpi Tervonen