How acupressure works

There are many maps of the body, each with their own views of the body. These views can help guide how to treat the body. I will describe three different views in this page.

Many are familiar with the anatomical model. In general going from most superficial to deep, we have skin, fascia, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and bones. This helps structure the general depths of organ systems.

From this model, acupressure works by stimulating the related organ systems. By pressuring the skin, the body brings blood circulation to the area to increase functionality of the muscles and fascia. As the needle deepens, the nerves are activated and bones engage their piezoelectric properties.

Traditional East Asian Medicine works with another map going from superficial to deep: cutaneous, tendinomuscular, luo, primary, divergent, extraordinary channels. Each of these channels have their own functionalities, much like how the skin has a different function than the bones.

As the finger pressures the cutaneous regions, Qi is activated. Each layer that the pressure engages with is another area for Qi to be activated. Activating the Qi in the primary channels is different from activating Qi in the extraordinary channels. The former works with moment to moment functionality, from nourishment to protection. The latter works with deeper changes of the structure of the body and the habituations of the mind.

Qi is translated as energy, which can bring up skepticism and confusion. I like to think of it as function of the psychosomatic landscape.

The opposite of function is structure. So Qi is a word to describe the function of whatever we are trying to describe. The function of the cutaneous regions is to protect. The function of the skin is to protect. The function of the library I am in is to provide a place to rest and learn. So by observing how this function plays out, I am experiencing the Qi of this library.

The third view of acupressure is awareness. It works with the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious to bring awareness to the psychosomatic holding patterns that give rise to symptoms. These holding patterns can show up anywhere along these consciousness.

A skillful practitioner will work with the most available patterns to be integrated into awareness so patients are not thrown into the deep end too quickly.

Each of these views helps to describe a perspective of the human experience. They may be overlayed upon one another for even deeper understanding of the psychosomatic landscape.