Acupressure is a Chinese medicine technique which has the same basics as acupuncture. The difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that acupressure uses pressure by hand or using special devices on the same point used in acupuncture. In order to heal the body of some illnesses or diseases, the acupressure uses special plans that point out the correspondence between some points on hands and feet and some organs.

Unlike acupuncture, the acupressure may be used by almost anyone who is able to detect the necessary points. That is why there are various available guides for using acupressure, together with the necessary information in order to achieve the best results with the help of this special technique that is specific to the Chinese medicine. This practice is widely applied in the case of oriental people who are more interested in knowing and testing self-help treatments. Although many specialists in health care, physicians and doctors are skeptical about the real effectiveness and results of acupressure, some people point out that great results may be actually achieved.

Some specialists highlight the fact that acupressure has a special effectiveness in reducing the pain during the contractions in the birth process. This is because acupressure may reduce the intensity of contractions and the pain perception. Many feedbacks point out the fact that acupressure is able of relieving pain in labour. Moreover, acupressure may be used in order to help inducing labour before the medical induction. Acupressure may be also used during the afterbirth period, so that the contractions of the uterus would be less painful.

Some claim that acupressure was born before acupuncture, when it was using the same 12 meridians in order to reduce or to maximize the energy flow of the body. The stimulation of the meridians by using hands, fingers and other devices may be the oldest practice of healing.

The principles of acupressure are the same with the principles of acupuncture, as the same energy flow should find the most convenient rhythm through the meridians and in the body, in general. The main idea is that some obstructions in this energy flow and these might be responsible for causing some other health problems. Therefore, the acupressure does not treat the symptoms, but the real cause of the problem by removing the obstruction, clearing the meridians and regaining the optimal energy flow for the general well-being of the patient. Malfunctions and dysfunctions may appear if the normal energy flow is obstructed; these aspects are to be detected with the help of an established correspondence between organs and meridians. The normal function of the corresponding organ takes place after solving the problem of the regular required energy flow in the body.

Acupressure may cure many problems, starting with asthma, diabetes, intestinal disorders, breast cancer, kidney and bladder problems, gynecological disorders and problems in menopause, infertility or pregnancy. Dislocations and fractures may be also cured with the help of acupressure, as well as rheumatism and arthritis. It is surprising how many changes may bring alternative medicine and its techniques and medicine if renouncing to some useless and effectiveless chemicals used by the conventional medicine. Moreover, in some cases, even the diagnosis is not good and therefore the treatment of the conventional medicine is not appropriate, fact that contributes to the creation of other problems and negative consequences.

Acupressure may be considered the ancestor of acupuncture, being given the fact that the same meridians and the same principles of applying certain techniques are used. The energy flow through these meridians and through the body plays a very important role both in acupressure and in acupuncture. Although the effectiveness of acupuncture is more popular, there are cases when acupressure is more likely to be used - this is the case of the afterbirth period and the case of the labour moments.