Discover The Difference Between Massage-Acupressure and Reflexology

Reflexology, acupressure, and massage have similar origins in Chinese medicine and share the concept of using pressure points on the body to relieve stress and promote the body’s ability to heal.

Acupressure and reflexology are both bodywork techniques which involve applying pressure to specific points on the body for the purpose of addressing health complaints, but these techniques are radically different.

Acupressure involves the whole body, and it has thousands of years of tradition in Asia behind it, while reflexology involves primarily the feet, and it was developed in the 20th century.

Read on to learn how these practices differ—and are similar.

Natural Healing Through Acupressure

Acupressure is a specialization of massage which influences the flow of qi by stimulating certain points with pressure. While acupuncture uses fine needles to manipulate these points, acupressure uses fingers and the thumb. By using pressure points the practitioner can control different forms of chronic pain.

Acupressure is a noninvasive form of massage that involves knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, internal organs and systems of the body.

Source: Natural Healers

The following are the top 5 benefits of Acupressure:

1. Healing
Acupressure’s healing touch aids in relieving pain, balancing body energy, and maintaining good health. Enabling deep relaxation and relieving stress, Acupressure Therapy strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.

2. Better Sex
Ancient Chinese Sexology believes stimulating acupressure points on the body cultivates sexual energy in lovemaking by fortifying arousal, sexual endurance, and enhancing sexual pleasure. In fact, you can learn special points for heightening spiritual awareness and the chemistry of your love relationship through understanding of where sexual energy gets blocked and how to release it.

3. Less Wrinkles

An acupressure treatment enhances muscle tone and increases blood circulation to the face. This improves the condition and tone of facial muscles and connective tissue, which can lessen the appearance of wrinkles without drugs or surgery. After years of pulling and stretching the skin, the connective tissue is weakened, and the skin is loosened. Simple finger pressure on specific points, along with therapeutic facial exercises, relieves congested areas and relaxes the muscles. Thus toxins are released and eliminated, benefiting your outward appearance.

4. Relieve Back Pain and Tension

Acupressure Therapy is highly effective for relieving muscular tension in all areas of the back. In fact, Acupressure and chiropractic treatments were originally practiced together in ancient China. There are important acupressure points located along either side of the spine and on the upper back. Acupressure Therapy releases tightness in the lower back and is an effective adjunct to chiropractic treatment. The act of relaxing the back muscles makes spinal adjustments easier and more effective.

5. Healing Trauma & Emotional Pain
Long known for its ability to alleviate physical pain, Acupressure can also relieve emotional pain. Emotional stress causes the body to shut down, which keeps negative feelings stuck, resulting in emotional imbalances. Acupressure techniques release tension and restore the flow of vital energy, making resolution possible. Through a variety of acupressure methods, the body’s life energy is able to flow and rebalance, which facilitates greater overall health.

The Practice of Reflexology

Reflexology is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy which focuses on relieving stress in our bodies by working specifically with hands and feet. 

Pressure points found in these areas correspond to organs and tissue that normally cannot be reached by a normal massage. 

By stimulating a pressure point the corresponding area will experience a beneficial effect through the reflex of the nervous system. This therapy is noninvasive, and is considered to be a specialization of massage.

Source: Organic Facts




The Relaxing Power of Massage


Massage is an ancient and universal therapy found in cultures all around the world, including ancient Chinese medicine. 

Practitioners reduce stress and relieve muscle tension through rubbing and manipulation, and relax muscles by increasing the flow of blood. 

The benefits for a patient can include:
  • reduced anxiety and depression
  • pain relief 
  • decrease in heart rate 
  • decrease in blood pressure 
There are many styles of massage and massage practitioners often specialize in several techniques.