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How does acupressure differ from acupuncture?
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traditional Chinese medicine
In moxibustion, or moxa treatment, small cones of an herb (typically Artemisia moxa) are burned on top of needles placed in designated points of the body, generally the same points as those used in acupuncture.
Acupressure and acupuncture are both traditional Chinese medicine practices that aim to improve the flow of qi (life force) by stimulating specific points along the body's 12 main meridians. While they target the same discrete points, they differ primarily in their method of stimulation.123
- Acupuncture: This technique involves the insertion of thin metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues at precise points. These needles may be twisted, twirled, or occasionally connected to a low-voltage electrical current to influence the distribution of yin and yang within the body's channels.42
- Acupressure: Often referred to by its Japanese name, shiatsu, this practice uses physical pressure—typically applied with the thumbs or fingertips—to stimulate these points. It is often used as a form of massage to relieve symptoms such as pain or tension and to promote overall well-being.132
Both methods are designed to restore balance to the body, though acupuncture is a more invasive procedure involving penetration of the skin.142