Chiropractic treatments and Acupressure Therapy complement each other. They were traditionally practiced together in ancient China.
Acupressure increases the circulation of both blood and healing energy through the spinal column. This relaxes the back muscles and eases chiropractic adjustments, helping them to last longer.
On this page, you’ll learn more about Acupressure and how it integrates with Chiropractic care. You’ll also find Self-Acupressure Chiropractic Points that you can use right away, both for yourself and others. Then you’ll find many resources for your health and healing, such as videos and an online course.
Before, After & At Home
Chiropractors often hire Acupressure Practitioners to release the tension in a patient’s back muscles before giving a chiropractic adjustment. This makes the adjustments easier and more effective.
In addition, Acupressure given after the chiropractic treatment stabilizes the adjustment. It also balances the patient’s energy to promote greater healing. The positive result is that the adjustment can be more long-lasting.
Some chiropractors also give their patients Self-Acupressure points to practice at home. In addition, they make referrals to Acupressure Practitioners and Massage therapists.
Benefits of Acupressure
Acupressure Therapy is a safe, effective way to reduce common stress-related problems. Acupressure releases muscular tension, enabling the blood to flow freely and allowing toxins to be released. An increase in circulation also brings more oxygen and other nutrients to affected areas.
Tension tends to concentrate around the Acupressure points. In order to relax muscular tension and balance the vital life forces, Acupressure utilizes a system of points and meridians.
These are the same points used in Acupuncture, and have a high electrical conductivity on the surface of the skin. Some Chiropractors even use high-tech devices to stimulate the points and move energy through the spine and supporting back muscles.
How Acupressure & Chiropractic Work Together
Acupressure is not a substitute for Chiropractic Care, but complements it, increasing its effectiveness. For example, in the case of a spinal misalignment due to an auto accident, Acupressure would not be the first treatment choice.
In such cases, consult a chiropractor. Acupressure can, however, speed the healing once the spine has been adjusted and can help relieve the patient’s associated pain and anxiety.
Self-Acupressure & Chiropractic Care
Acupressure is an ideal self-help therapy for chiropractic patients. They can quickly learn to locate the points and apply the correct pressure. Most points are within the patient’s easy reach.
By learning a few Self-Acupressure techniques, patients can enhance their chiropractic treatments and begin to take greater responsibility for their health. Patients who use Acupressure find their adjustments are easier, more enjoyable, and the results last longer.
Self-Acupressure Chiropractic Points
The following Acupressure points are from my book, Acupressure’s Potent Points, a self-care reference guide for many common ailments.
To learn how to use Acupressure for yourself, read Acupressure Points, part of the Acupressure Basics section.
The following points can all be used effectively with Chiropractic Care.
Vital Diaphragm (B 38)
Location: Between the shoulder blades and the spine at the level of the heart.
Chiropractic Healing Benefits: This calming point balances the emotions and relieves anxiety, grief, and other emotional imbalances.To learn two techniques to stimulate back points that are hard to reach, here’s Back Pain Relief — Acupressure Points & Self-Healing Methods.
Heavenly Pillar (B 10)
Location: One-half inch below the base of the skull, on the ropy muscles located one-half inch out from the spine.
Chiropractic Healing Benefits: Relieves emotional distress, burnout, exhaustion, depression, and heaviness in the head.
Gates of Consciousness (GB 20)
Location: Below the base of the skull, in the hollows between two large neck muscles, two to three inches apart, depending on the size of the head.
Chiropractic Healing Benefits: Relieves depression, headaches, dizziness, stiff necks, and irritability.
Self-Acupressure Resources for Back Pain Relief
- Self-Acupressure’s Pain & Stress Solution — Explore my easy-to-follow online training. This fully-guided course has videos showing you how to promote wellness and relieve dozens of common ailments, including back pain.
- Pain Relief — Check out this category in Self-Acupressure A to Z.
- Healing Injuries and Back Problems — This page offers a number of resources. It’s one of the many Benefits of Acupressure.
- Acupressure Stress Relief Video A guided self-healing program for easing headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension in 20 minutes. Narrated by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D.
- Less Stress Video Acupressure & Qi Gong breathing exercises that boost the immune system, increase vitality, and support recovery from surgery, trauma, chronic fatigue, depression, and stressful, difficult times.