Acupressure :- A common modality, is an ancient art of healing therapy that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin and thus stimulate the body's system to self heal. With acupressure, the person may remain fully clothed and suffer no side effects from drugs, while experiencing a safe treatment.
Acu-Massage :- Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet.
There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness. In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage subject may be fully or partly unclothed. Parts of the body may be covered with towels or sheets
Benefits of Massage: An increasing number of research studies show massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins (enhancing medical treatment). Although therapeutic massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury.
It also can hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury. Research has verified that: Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better and were less stressed than those who weren't massaged. Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in burn patients.
Sciatica: Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. Most of the time you will not remember doing anything to hurt yourself. Occasionally, you will suddenly get the pains after lifting something heavy or moving quickly. The sciatic nerve can be pinched or stretched. The most common symptom from sciatica is pain. Most people describe a deep, severe pain that starts low on one side of the back and then shoots down the buttock and the leg with certain movements.
You may also notice a weakness in your leg or foot, along with the pain. The weakness may become so bad you can't move your foot. You may receive special instructions from your doctor on dealing with back pain. Some suggest complete bed rest-getting up only to go to the bathroom. Others suggest you sleep on the floor or put a board under your mattress for support. Some will tell you to use heat, others cold.
You may also get a sheet of exercises you are expected to start when the pain improves. Current research recommends that you stay active, within limits imposed by your pain. If you can avoid reinjuring yourself, you should try to stay at work. If the pain forces you to rest, do so, but avoid staying in bed just because you have back pain. If you are not improving after a week or 10 days, talk with your doctor about alternative therapies. Millions of people get some relief by visiting physical therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. Others find that relaxation techniques and Acupressure/Acupuncture for them.