Housewives pass around stories of a "poop button" on the body. What they mean is, an acupressure point three finger widths below the navel. It is claimed that pressing on this point produces the urge for bowel movement, sometimes as quickly as within ten minutes. There are actually many more "poop buttons" on the arms, around the navel, the back and the legs. So it is up to each individual to discover them and stimulate them to ease constipation.
Critics on the other hand, label acupressure as pseudoscience on the ground that it cannot be fully explained by "Western" medical science. This is despite the fact that unlike other alternative medicine, the effects of acupressure can be observed on neuroimaging. For example: a well known orthopedic surgeon when researching the potential of electro medicine, noted that traditional acupressure meridians and points contained amounts of electromagnetic energy that non-acupressure points did not.
In an article written for the New York Times entitled "Now, about my operation in Peking", America's influential journalist James Reston happened to mention the effect of acupuncture on post operation constipation was observed on a fluoroscope where the needles inserted on limbs produced movements in the intestines.
In fact, documented research on the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupressure is growing. America has accepted acupuncture since Reston wrote about how acupuncture relieved his post operation pain.
To doubt acupressure is equivalent to doubting acupuncture as the former works on the same principles as the latter in which the difference is one uses the hands while the other uses needles. Perhaps the area in which controversy is warranted involves Tapas acupressure technique, a healing program to release emotional and negative energy blockages. Tapas technique evolved from the traditional acupressure, does not emphasize on physical contact, is not the subject of discussion in this article.
Intellectual debates aside, acupressure and acupuncture has helped many people especially the poorer ones in the Orient to seek relief from a variety of health problems. Chinese physicians and acupuncturists may recommend acupressure as part of a patient's treatment process.
For folks who feel their constipation can be managed at home, acupressure can be an alternative to narcotic laxatives. When acupressure is applied by a family member, the comforting touch itself heals not only the gut but also promotes emotional well- being.
Generally, versatile acupressure is safe for self-treatment. It is easy to learn, convenient to do anytime and anywhere. Apart from the acupressure point beneath the navel as mentioned at the outset, another point people usually like to work on is the point at the outer edge in the crease of the bent arm. The duration and frequency depends on how grievous is the constipation. People who can afford to pay professionals for acupressure sessions may find it a pleasant experience, especially when combined with moxibustion in which a lighted stick of moxa herb warms the acupressure points.
Of course like all health remedies, acupressure has its limitations, too. It is unsuitable for people with high or low blood pressure and pregnant women. Obvious conditions where the skin should not be touched such as open wound and blisters are not for acupressure.
Copyright 2009 -- Wan Yi. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Read more about TCM principles behind acupressure and locating acupressure points to ease constipation at the online resource that cares about your gut at http://www.constipationopia.com/relieving-constipation.html