Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies are increasingly gaining widespread acceptance as part of an Integrative medicine approach. As the evidence continues to grow, both medical providers and patients are seeking effective non-pharmacological approaches for symptom relief. Recent studies support Acupressure as an effective CAM therapy for pain and symptom management.

Acupressure derives its roots from Acupuncture and is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which is over 3000 years old. It is based partly on Meridian theory where key Acupressure points (or Acupoints ) lie along specific meridian lines and are connected to the visceral functions of vital organ systems. Research shows that Acupressure points have been used with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as well as for management of pain , anxiety, nausea, fatigue, urinary incontinence, constipation and symptom management.

Traditional Chinese Medicine encompasses a vast parallel holistic medical system , a science that is thousands of years old and yet the mechanisms of which are now being examined, researched and understood by the western medical community. Studies over the past few decades have found that Acupressure points transmit energy or the vital Qi (life force energy ) through interstitial connective tissue with potentially powerful integrative applications through multiple systems.

This Qi can also be defined as the bio-electric energy that flows through a vast network of interstitial connective tissue connecting the peripheral nervous system to the central viscera. This is why Acupressure is so effective for conditions that affect the neurophysiology of our body as a whole.

Acupressure has demonstrated the ability to improve heart rate variability, and thus decrease sympathetic nervous system activity. By decreasing sympathetic nervous system stimulation, the release of stress hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol is decreased, and the relaxation response can be augmented, which may correlate with decreasing levels of pain, stress, and anxiety1.

A study by Helene Langevin2 and colleagues proposed an anatomical/ physiological parallel to explain key concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• Qi: Sum of all body energetic phenomena (e.g. metabolism, movement, signaling, information exchange)
• Meridian Qi: Connective tissue biochemical/bioelectrical signaling
• Blockage of Qi: Changed connective tissue matrix composition leading to a change in signal transduction
• Restoration of the flow of Qi: Cellular activation/gene expression leading to restored connective tissue matrix composition and signal transduction

The courses Acupressure Integrative Healthcare for Stress & Pain Relief are a 2 part series that explore Acupressure as an evidence based modality for management of anxiety, stress, pain and symptom management. They are curated and taught by Rachna Mehta PT, DPT, CIMT, OCS, PRPC, RYT 200. Rachna has used Acupressure as part of her rehabilitation tool box for several years now. Her patients have benefited immensely from this holistic approach

Integrative mindfulness based holistic rehabilitation interventions like Acupressure can be used to empower patients to recognize the mind-body-energy interconnections so they may use these along with traditional exercises as part of their home exercise programs.