Acupressure is the art of using touch on certain pressure points of the body to improve circulation, release tension and promote healing. Scholars are uncertain whether this ancient practice originated in China or India, but much of the modern teaching comes from China and Japan. The idea behind acupressure is that certain points, acupoints, on the surface of the body stimulate a response from the nervous system and organs.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu means "finger pressure" in Japanese, where it originated. Pressure is applied along the middle line of the body, including the back and abdomen. The focus of this type of massage is to balance the life force. The therapist uses his hands to both diagnose points of imbalance and provide therapy to realign the disharmony. These points correspond to parts of the nervous system. Shiatsu therapists must go through several years of schooling to become certified.
Reiki
Reiki or "spiritual guided life-force energy" also originated in Japan. The therapist uses light touch to realign the energy, promote healing and relieve stress. It uses a whole-body approach to healing rather than the mid-line in shiatsu. Reiki is distinctive because it incorporates aspects of many other alternative healing theories including crystals, aromatherapy and homeopathic medicine. Unlike shiatsu, anyone can take a brief course over a weekend and learn reiki.
Su Jok
The translation for Su Jok is "hand foot." This type of acupressure originated in South Korea and basic Su Jok can be learned in minutes. The theory is that every organ and system in the body has corresponding points on the hands and feet. Manipulating these points alleviates symptoms associated with those organs. Aside from fingertips, practitioners may also use balls, seeds and elastic rings to stimulate the points.
Jin Shin
There are two types of Jin Shin acupressure. The first, Jin Shin Jyutsu, is an that uses a light touch primarily through the palm of the hand to stimulate the pressure points and unblock energy. Jin Shin Do is a modern interpretation that merges Chinese, Japanese and Taoist techniques. Created by psychotherapist Iona Teeguarden in the 1970s, Jin Shin Do uses a gentle, but more firm, touch and incorporates breathing and visualization into the session.
Atmena
Atmena originated in India and China. Although it incorporates the entire body into a session, Atmena puts the majority of its focus on the pressure points on the soles of the feet. As in Su Jok, these points correspond to different parts of the body. For example, the toes represent the shoulders and head, the ball is the chest and the arch corresponds to the kidneys.
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