Acupuncture Vs Acupressure: Similarities and Differences [Quick Comparison]

Acupuncture Vs Acupressure – Which is Right for Your Needs?

Acupressure and acupuncture are becoming more popular these days. They have become essential elemental of the latest medical field.

Both acupuncture and acupressure have medicinal properties but zeroing in on which excels according to your requirement might be a tough nut to crack.

With people going back to natural methods for bodily relief, these ancient treatment stands effective for fighting off diseases, stress, allergies, and bodily pain.

Acupuncture and Acupressure are the finest way to improve physical well-being.

At times the methods have various things in common. Still, they stand unique thanks to their key feature.

The exceptional difference between acupuncture and acupressure makes them effective for specific purposes.

This Acupuncture Vs Acupressure comparison digs into every aspect of the two approaches.

In the end, it would be easier to judge which one is the most effective. Let’s begin with a short comparison.

Acupuncture Vs Acupressure: Similarities & Differences

Nowadays, therapies have become highly popular in the western world.

With the latest studies, delving into the advantages, the trend is obvious to exceed.

Surprisingly, the methods at times appear indistinguishable with some similarities.

Acupuncture and Acupressure: Where they are similar!

• Acupuncture and acupressure are effective in treating health problems. However, they are applicable as complementary medicine used along with traditional medicine.
• The origin of therapies is traditional Chinese medicine. Both emphasize the idea of the energy flow of the body at different points which is linked to certain organs.
• Whether acupuncture or acupressure, the therapy involves triggering the meridian point of the physique. Eventually, this decimates pain, fights health problems, and clears obstacles of life energy (qi or chi)

Acupuncture vs Acupressure: Difference Between the Two

• The first and most prominent one acupuncture utilizes small needles to trigger acupoints, whereas acupressure involves massage and pressure to promote them.
• The treatments don’t cause any pain, but acupuncture may be slightly discomforting. Still, they treat problems with allergies, anxiety, migraines, depression, bunions, arthritis, nausea, and so on. Moreover, they even improve discomfort by regulating neurotransmitters, hormone levels, and the immune system in your body.

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The small discussion sheds light on the two approaches. It is time to kick-start the acupressure vs Acupuncture comparison by digging into the two therapies in detail.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture focuses on to release of pressure and pain by utilizing needles and pressure points.

Acupuncture requires a thorough knowledge of the skill of inserting needles to relieve the stressors experienced by the body.

Only certified professionals with licenses can practice the traditional method. Usually, people think acupuncture is more beneficial than acupressure.

It can be done on different parts of the body in a go. Thus, the flow of life energy elevates drastically.

Nowadays, acupuncture is one of the best complementary approaches along with chiropractic methods and modern Western medicine.

How Does Acupuncture Work Scientifically?

Good health is the outcome of a harmonious equilibrium of the opposite extremes of yin and yang of the life force (known as Qi, pronounced “chi”).

According to Chinese traditional medicine, disease or illness occurs due to the imbalance of life forces.

Qi moves through energy points or pathways inside the body. They can be accessed using 361 acupuncture points in the physique.

Inserting needles into these meridians with proper combination restores the balance of energy flow. This is how acupuncture works to improve health.

According to a 2017 review in Science Direct, the said acupuncture points lie where stimulants can impact the process of many sensory neurons.

Let’s understand this scientifically.

Needle insertion on these spots works as physical stimulation to improve pain processing in the muscle and central nervous system. It may even improve blood flow to specific body parts.

These are some of the few advantages of acupuncture. Others are mentioned below.

Benefits of Acupuncture Treatment

The finest complementary treatment is beneficial for managing various health conditions.

Here are the acupuncture benefits:

• It works great in a combination with other treatments
• Manages chronic pain, headaches, migraine, and more
• Least chance of side effects
• Flexible treatment working for different health problems

The advantages are real. Still, NCCIH suggests people not replace it with conventional medical treatment.

Moreover, some risks are also associated with acupuncture treatment.

Disadvantages of Acupuncture

When it comes to side effects, acupuncture and acupressure differ greatly. The main risk associated with acupuncture is the use of needles.

The concerns surrounding acupuncture are:

• Unsterilized needles can cause infection
• Insertion sites may develop soreness and bruising which may even bleed
• Rarely, a needle may break damaging internal organ

The problem is common if the treatment is taken from inexperienced and uncertified acupuncturists.

Always verify the license before taking the treatment. Also, understand acupuncture may not be applicable for all.

Is Acupuncture Suitable For Everyone?

Acupuncture isn’t suitable for everyone even after being effective for various problems.

In general, one can go for the treatment, but it’s better for people with certain conditions to avoid it. This includes folks with

• Skin disorder or disease
• Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia
• Pregnant women (avoid needling in the lumbosacral region and abdominal area)

Pregnant women should avoid it in the first place. It can often stimulate the early delivery of the fetus and even lead to unwanted abortion.

The treatment is beneficial, but the duration to observe results can vary. You need to know before going for treatment.

How Long Does Acupuncture Take To Work?

In just 2 to 3 sessions, the initial difference becomes visible.

However, observing overall benefits and well-being, it can take longer than the prescribed duration.

Noteworthy psychological and physical wellness begins to get visible within 5 treatments.

Undoubtedly, acupuncture vs acupressure is highly debatable. At the same time, it is equally confusing for some to differentiate them apart.

After measuring the risks and benefits of acupuncture, it is time to explore acupressure and its ins and outs. We will proceed with an acupuncture vs acupressure comparison by digging into the latter.

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is a non-invasive traditional Chinese medicinal tool.

That is to say, it aims to increase the life energy flow by stimulating energy points but it utilizes pressure to deliver the benefits.

Oftentimes, it is applicable to similar health problems like headaches and migraines.

Also, it decimates the risks of negative consequences of chemotherapy. On top of that, it works as a great restorative tool to reinforce the immune system.

Acupressure treatment is even effective in lessening stress and tension. The working mechanism of the method further provides a detailed insight into the approach.

How Does Acupressure Work Scientifically?

Acupressure practitioners pressurize acupoints of the body to promote energy flow. It involves acupressure massage, stretching, and other approaches.

Practitioners utilize their palms, fingers, feet, elbows, or special devices to put pressure on the meridians of the body. The pressure stimulates the acupoints to rebalance energy flow to improve health conditions.

However, western practitioners decline the possibility of the meridians. In contrast, they credit the improved circulation, lessened muscle tension, and release of endorphins working for natural pain relief.

A 2017 review assessed the outcome of 3 tails of chemotherapy patients. At the end of the study, there was a signification reduction in vomiting, nausea, and retching because of performing acupressure with fingers or acupressure wristband.

The study approves one of the few benefits of the therapy. In reality, acupressure advances health in various aspects.

Benefits Of Acupressure Treatment

Acupressure massage treats a number of ailments while benefiting different aspects of health. Moreover, it is highly relaxing for the body and mind thanks to the massage involved.

Here’s a list of advantages of acupressure.

• Decimates tensions, anxiety, and stress
• Enhances sleep quality
• Relaxes joints, ligaments, and muscles
• Boosts injury recovery
• Provides relief from pain and discomfort
• Lessens digestive problem
• Reduces headaches and migraine
• Treat chronic pain

Acupressure stimulates the circulatory, hormonal, and lymphatic systems of the body.

Moreover, it enhances the immune function of the body to increase natural healing.

This is how acupressure benefits health, but the treatment does lead to some risks.

Disadvantages of Acupressure

In general, the method should never trigger pain, if one experiences it, tell the practitioner at once.

This can occur rarely when going for acupressure, but there are actually drawbacks to the treatment.

The main disadvantages of acupressure include

• Muscle soreness
• Lightheaded
• Acupressure in the facial area leads to inflammation and pain
• Fatigue
• Bruising
• Emotional outburst

Acupressure does have some downsides, but they appear negligible compared to acupuncture.

Even if acupressure is as effective as acupuncture, it isn’t suitable for everyone.

Is Acupressure Suitable For Everyone?

Though, acupressure is good for treating problems related to bones, muscles, and joints, but not always.

It does help ailments related to musculoskeletal systems, chronic pain, and injury.

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It isn’t age-restrictive at all, but people with high blood pressure should avoid it.

Also, the treatment isn’t applicable to pregnant women because of the risk of miscarriage.

More importantly, it isn’t for treating scar tissue, open wounds, inflammation, swelling, and varicose veins.

Importantly, if you have osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, or cardiac diseases consulting the doctor prior to trying acupressure is highly recommended.

They can also tell you how long acupressure can take to offer the benefits. Still, we have shared a suggestive duration.

How Long Does Acupressure Take To Work?

The effects of massage-like treatment are visible instantly. In fact, in a single session, within 15 to 20 minutes, one can encounter alleviating experience.

Though some come across the benefits right away with just a single treatment, it can take longer for others.

Also, the gravity of the problem determines the actual frequency of sessions to treat the problem.

Again, within a few sessions as per recommended by the practitioner and medical health provider, one can experience noteworthy differences.

Delving into acupressure and acupuncture separately helped us grasp a better understanding of complementary medical treatment.

At times, the mechanism and benefits overlap, while differences make the stand at opposite ends.

Acupressure vs acupuncture comparison in terms of effectiveness can reveal what’s better for you.

Acupressure or Acupuncture: Which Is Better?

Both traditional medical treatments are effective in their own ways.

They do flow a similar mechanism by involving distinguishing approaches to provide relief and treat different health conditions. Still, one is better than the other in some areas.

Let’s see Acupuncture Vs Acupressure, which one to go for and when.

When Acupuncture Is Better?

Learning acupuncture takes time, skill, and effort to learn. This makes it different for rest treatment because the practitioners are ought to be skilled.

Only licensed and certified practitioners with years of practice do the job. In some ailments, its physically stimulating effects are more effective.

When you should prefer acupuncture:

• Asthma
• Insomnia
• Infertility
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis
• Menstrual cramps
• Muscular conditions
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

In the above-mentioned condition, acupuncture is more effective than acupressure.

Thus, even doctors recommend it as a complementary treatment along with the latest conventional treatment.

Nonetheless, in a few cases, acupressure beat acupuncture to emerge as a top option.

When Acupressure is More Beneficial?

Acupressure is easy to learn and practice. The straightforward approach is highly beneficial in common health problems.

Acupressure is more beneficial in the:

• Migraines, headaches, bodily pain, and nausea.
• In fact, cancer patients go for acupressure sessions to get relief from the side effects of chemotherapy.
• The involvement of pressure increases the secretion of endorphins. Eventually, it lessens chronic pain, boosts healing, stimulates blood flow, and promotes oxygen flow in the physique.

It even rebalances the body by decimating tension and stress. On top of that, it even strengthens immune function.

Nonetheless, Acupressure and acupuncture can provide similar outcomes even with different techniques and procedures.

Indeed, both are beneficial for getting rid of physical pain, but for other illnesses consult with the doctor. They can recommend what’s better and when.

Acupuncture vs acupressure comparison shares a detailed insight into the two. In the end, we would sum up the important points.

In A Nutshell

Traditional medical treatments have been ensuring wellness and health for centuries.

The scientific community is keen on discovering the actual root cause of their benefits.

In fact, both acupuncture and acupressure do benefit health.

The traditional claims lie in the flow of life energy.

However, the studies confirming their efficacies show that stimulation at the energy points promotes circulation, lessens muscle tension, alleviates stressors, and activates the central nervous system. Also, they promote hormonal balance.

These are reasons why acupuncture and acupressure are effective in treating various health conditions.

Still, they aren’t effective enough to replace modern treatment. Thus, they are recommended as complementary treatments for health concerns.

In any case, they are a great way to enjoy optimal physical health and mental wellness. Consult with your medical health provider to receive the maximum benefit from the therapies.

Have you tried Acupressure or Acupuncture treatments? Let us know in the comment section below!