Acupressure

Acupressure is a Chinese physical massage technique that is based on tender pressure points (or power points), that lie on meridians (energy channels). It uses the same principles and points as used in acupuncture, but instead of needle insertion, acupressure uses fingers, palms of hands, feet, knees and elbows. Pressure is not as deep or painful as most new receiver's expect. Points around the face, hands, ears and feet are particularly potent and are received through Reflexology (on the feet) and Vaccaria seeds (on the ears). Indian Head Massage, Emotional Freedom Technique, Marma Chikitsa, Thai Yoga Massage, Thai Foot Massage and Shiatsu also use acupressure, but used in combination with different techniques. 

A Shakti mat - a modern bed of nails - can also be tried here in the suite, which stimulates the blood supply to the whole back and neck (or legs) with pinpoint pressure with thousands of spikes. Steve uses techniques such as applying pressure, joint rotations and stretching to stimulate and balance chi - the Chinese language for energy flow - throughout the receiver's body.

Treatment is typically received through clothing so wear something loose and comfortable such as yoga trousers or long shorts and a baggy T-shirt. A full body session lasts 1 to 2 hours and takes place on a chair and massage table.

Acupressure can be seen as halfway between acupuncture and massage in that it incorporates the beauty and power of touch alongside specific body energy points of high electrical conductivity. In Chinese Traditional Medicine, when you open healing energy through meridians, all systems of the body (vascular, nervous, endocrine, skeletal, muscular, and immune systems) are balanced. With over 365 traditional points, connected to the 12 meridians, the use of flow patterns, or point recipes, heal through the free flow of energy through the body (similar in theory to a yogic practice of movements).

Energy meridians are a key principle behind many more treatments avaialble at Man on the Couch, including Shiatsu, Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping), Indian Head Massage, Japanese Hand Massage, Thai Foot Massage, Reflexology, Marma Point Facial Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, and Marma Chikitsa. All these treatments are complementary therapies and so are not used to replace normal medical or psychological treatment, but can act to supplement the healing effect of such treatments.

Key conditions helped by acupressure includes stress (often symptomised by skin disorders, insomnia, irritability, frustration, dealing with change and other mental health conditions), pain (eg arthritis, inflammatory problems, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome), headaches (memory and concentration issues, eyestrain, tooth or jaw ache, ear ache, wrist pain), premature ejaculation/fertility/potency, allergies, depression, hormonal Imbalances (eg hot flushes), immune system conditions (eg colds), oedema, nausea, motion sickness, and respiratory/breathing problems. Many clients often turn to acupressure for all their conditions.

The way it works can be explained in three ways – 1) points are gateways of energy (you feel erratic or steady pulsations with light pressure on a point), 2) via meridians (healing channels flowing through the body), and 3) release of endorphins (neurochemicals), which mediate pain relief.

Acupressure can be taught and demonstrated during a treatment, for self help at home between professional treatments with Steve.

Steve is qualified at Acupressure Mastery from the profilic American trainer and author Michael Reed Gach PhD.