In This Chapter
■The varieties of pressure-point therapy
and their histories
■The systems and practice of pressure point
therapies
■Putting pressure-point therapies to work
for you12 Pressure-Point Therapies.
Acupuncture, acupressure, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Jin Shin Do, and reflexology
are different forms of the same practice: stimulating points on the body
to balance the body’s life energy. Jin Shin Jyutsu, Jin Shin Do, and reflex-
ology are forms of acupressure and in this chapter the term acupressure
includes all the forms. Acupuncture and acupressure are based on the
theory that applying pressure or stimulation to specific points on the body,
known as acupuncture points, can relieve pain, cure certain illnesses, and
promote wellness. Acupuncture uses needles while acupressure uses fin-
ger pressure. Although the older of the two techniques, acupressure is
not as powerful and could be considered the over-the-counter version of
acupuncture. Acupressure is easy to learn and convenient for self-care
whereas acupuncture requires training to use the needles. Frequently,
these practices are part of a holistic approach to wellness and are com-
bined with diet, herbs, mind-body techniques, and spiritual therapies.