Acupressure (a
portmanteau of "acupuncture" and
"pressure") is a traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM) technique based on the same
ideas as acupuncture. Acupressure involves
placing physical pressure by hand, elbow,
or with the aid of various devices on
different acupuncture points on the
surface of the body.
Traditional
Chinese Medicine does not usually operate
within a scientific paradigm but some
practioners make efforts to bring practices
into an evidence-based medicine framework.
There is no scientific consensus over whether
or not evidence supports the efficacy of
acupressure beyond a placebo. Reviews of
existing clinical trials have been conducted by
the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier
according to the protocols of evidence-based
medicine; for most conditions they have
concluded a lack of effectiveness or lack of
well-conducted clinical trials.
Acupoints used in
treatment may or may not be in the same area of
the body as the targeted symptom. The TCM
theory for the selection of such points and
their effectiveness is that they work by
stimulating the meridian system to bring about
relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also
spelled "chi"). This theory is based on the
paradigm of TCM, not that of science. Many East
Asian martial arts also make extensive study
and use of acupressure for self-defense and
health purposes (chin na, tui na). The points
or combinations of points are said to be used
to manipulate or incapacitate an
opponent.
Also, martial
artists regularly massage their own acupressure
points in routines to remove blockages from
their own meridians, claiming to thereby
enhance their circulation and flexibility and
keeping the points "soft" or less vulnerable to
an attack. Attacking the acupressure points is
one theme in the wuxia genre of movies and
novels.