What’s the difference between acupuncture and acupressure?
It’s one of the most common questions I hear since a foundational component of EFT tapping is acupressure. Both have their roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and involve the stimulation of specific points on the body to promote health and well-being. While they share some similarities, they differ in their techniques and methods of application:
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body known as acupuncture points or acupoints.
The needles are typically left in place for a period of time, usually around 20-30 minutes, while the patient rests.
The goal of acupuncture is to stimulate and balance the flow of qi within the body's meridians or energy pathways. This is believed to promote healing and alleviate various health issues, including pain, nausea, and stress.
Acupuncture is usually performed by licensed acupuncturists who have undergone specialized training in needling techniques and TCM principles.
Acupressure:
Acupressure, on the other hand, involves applying manual pressure to the same acupuncture points without the use of needles. This pressure can be applied using fingers, thumbs, elbows, or even specific tools designed for acupressure. In EFT, we will each use our finger tips to apply light pressure to nine different points on our faces and upper bodies mirroring one another.
The pressure is often applied in a rhythmic manner and is very gentle.
Like acupuncture, acupressure aims to balance the flow of qi within the body and stimulate self-healing. It is also used to address a wide range of health issues, such as pain relief, stress reduction, and relaxation.
Acupressure can be self-administered, taught by practitioners, or provided by trained therapists. It’s a safe and non-invasive technique.
To sum it up, the primary difference between acupuncture and acupressure lies in the method of stimulation. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure uses manual pressure. Both approaches are based on the same underlying principles of traditional Chinese medicine and are believed to help promote the body's natural healing processes, improve energy flow (Qi), and alleviate various health issues.
