Significant effects of Meridian Acupressure for stroke patients on the functions of affected upper extremities, activity of daily living, and depression.
The study “Effects of Meridian Acupressure for Stoke Patients in Korea” by H.S .Kang, S. R. Kok and J. S. Kang, published in Journal of Clinical Nursing in 2009, showed significant effects of using acupressure on stroke patients to improve their daily life functions.
The research took place in K Oriental Hospital in Korea to examine the effects of acupressure for stroke patients on 1) the functions of affected upper extremities; 2) activity of daily living; and 3) depression after stroke.
56 participants were divided into two groups with 28 participants in the experimental group and 28 participants in the control group. For the experimental group, acupressure treatment was applied everyday for 10 minutes for two weeks. As for the control group, only routine care was applied.
The measures were:
- hand dynamometer for grip power
- 15 point graphic rating scale for pain
- distance round the index finger for edema
- electrogoniomety for the passive ROM of the upper extremities
- activity of daily living scale
- six-face rating scale for depression
Data were collected from March 2003–September 2004. The results showed significant differences between experimental group and control group. The functions of affected upper extremities and activity of daily living in the experimental group were improved more than that of the control group, and depression was decreased more than that of the control group.
Among the data collected, there were statistically significant differences on grip power, shoulder pain, and edema in index finger between two groups. Also there were statistically significant differences on degrees of the wrist flexion, wrist extension, elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, and shoulder extension between the two groups.
The authors concluded that the acupressure was an effective intervention for improving the movement of the affected upper extremities, increasing activity of daily living and decreasing depression of hemiplegia stroke patients.
One year after the onset of the first stroke, 66% survivors suffer from physical handicap, and 75% survivors suffer from occupation disability. An average of 30% stroke patients suffer from depression. The routine rehabilitation for stroke patients includes exercises and physical therapies.
In this study, acupressure treatment was applied to the experimental group after general physical therapy for 10 minutes every day for two weeks. The following acupoints were used along the meridians on the hand, arm and shoulder.
1．合谷 HeGu/LI 4
2．后溪 HouXi/SI 3
3．阳谷 YangGu/SI 5
4．阳池 YangChi/TH 4
5. 阳溪 YangXi/LI 5
6. 大陵 DaLing/PC 7
7. 外关 WaiGuan/TH 5
8. 内关 NeiGuan/PC 6
9. 手三里 ShouSanLi/LI 10
10.曲池 QuChi/LI 11
11.肩臑 JianRu/LI 14
12.臑俞 RuYu/SI 9
13.肩禺 JianYu/LI 15
14.肩井 JianJing/GB 21
As the authors stated in the report, the applying of acupressure makes stroke rehabilitation more effective, and yet no associated side-effects, or drug dependence.
However, as the study emphasized on the term “meridians”, some important acupoints outside the meridians were not included in the study. For example, BaXie (eight acupoints located between Metacarpophalangeal joints of the 1st through 5th phalanges) are commonly used acupoints to relax the tightly flexed fingers due to stroke. These points were not included in the study. Including these acupoints in the future studies would improve the rehab effects of hand functions.
included in the study. Including these acupoints in the future studies would improve the rehab effects of hand functions.
Nevertheless, this research is a frontier study of acupressure in a conventional hospital setting. The findings of this study showed that acupressure can be applied as an alternative, economical and effective intervention that can be integrated into nursing practice for the rehabilitation of stroke patients.
_____________________
Authors: Hyun Sook Kang, PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea; Sohyune R. Sok, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Gong, Dongdaemoon-Gu, Seoul, South Korea; Ji Soon Kang, RN, MA, A Graduate, College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
Source: ©2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom, Journal of Clinical Nursing
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Acupressure
What is Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing art using the hands and fingers to skillfully press certain points of the body to stimulate the body's natural healing functions.
More than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body could help to relieve pain, release tension, and promote circulation. It could also help to enhance the body's energy balance which was believed to be an importance aspect in healing process.
Acupressure Points and Meridian Channels
Acupressure was practiced for healing long before acupuncture. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure uses hands. Both share the same acupoints along the JingLuo system through which the Qi energy flows. JingLuo has been translated into English as meridian channels.
There are 360 main acupuncture points along the 12 main meridian channels. Around 100 points or so can be easily accessed for palpation. The points are selected based on the JingLuo theory. Each pair of related two channels work together to keep a balance.
1. Gall Bladder Channel
2. Liver Channel
3. Lung Channel
4. Large Intestine Channel
5. Stomach Channel
6. Spleen Channel
7. Heart Channel
8. Small Intestine Channel
9. Bladder Channel
10. Kidney Channel
11. Pericardium Channel(心包经)
12. Triple Heater Channel(三焦经)
Effects of Acupressure through JingLuo and Acupoints
The effect of Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. It is widely used to treat general discomfort in many areas. It is believed to help the body to heal through stimulating the circulating system, endocrine system, nervous system, digestion system, respiratory system, and muscular system.
Research on JingLuo and acupoints were done by Shanghai Fu Dan University, Shanghai Bao Shan Acupuncture Hospital, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Second Army Medical School, and Shanghai Chinese Medical School. MRI, CAT scanners, and autopsies were used in the research.
The discoveries on the characteristics of JingLuo and acupoints are :
1. JingLuo and acupoints are complex structures, aggregates of connective tissues, lymph ducts, blood vessels and nerves that possess complex biological functions.
2. The connective tissues deep under the acupoints contain larger amount of the elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, chromium than other tissues. Among them, the amount of calcium is proportionally higher than in any other tissues except bones, about 10 to 100 times higher. Calcium ions are important messengers in the regulating the functions of the body.
3. The collagens in the connective tissue of JingLuo and acupoints are highly efficient in transmitting infrared signals. This suggests that the human body may possess an optical system that controls the functions of the body.
Application in Massage Practice
In practice, acupressure is often used as part of TuiNa therapy. Acupoints can be pressed alone or combined in a TuiNa massage session.
When I was working in office, a colleague was suffering from headache. I pressed a couple of points on her hand and neck for a couple of minutes, her headache was relieved and she could go back to work. This is a case of using limited acupoints to relieve pain.
In a TuiNa massage session, acupoints are often used to enhance the therapeutic effects. While massaging on the arms and hands, for example, HeGu (LI4) is often pressed for about 10-20 seconds or so as a general care.
Acupressure is convenient to be used for self-help when you have headache or minor discomfort. I will demonstrate in class during oral presentation.
As the ancient Chinese believed, our body is an extremely highly intelligent being. It is made to heal itself. Acupressure is to assist the body’s own healing mechanism. Having this understanding in mind, we should treat out body as a whole and cope with it according to its natural healing process.
Acupressure vs. Swedish Massage
Acupressure and Swedish massage cannot replace each other. Each has its unique characteristics. Acupressure is often used for pain management, while Swedish massage is well received for relaxation.
However, a blend of acupressure and Swedish massage when applied skillfully can present a whole new experience—relaxing and healing.
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing art using the hands and fingers to skillfully press certain points of the body to stimulate the body's natural healing functions.
More than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body could help to relieve pain, release tension, and promote circulation. It could also help to enhance the body's energy balance which was believed to be an importance aspect in healing process.
Acupressure Points and Meridian Channels
Acupressure was practiced for healing long before acupuncture. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure uses hands. Both share the same acupoints along the JingLuo system through which the Qi energy flows. JingLuo has been translated into English as meridian channels.
There are 360 main acupuncture points along the 12 main meridian channels. Around 100 points or so can be easily accessed for palpation. The points are selected based on the JingLuo theory. Each pair of related two channels work together to keep a balance.
1. Gall Bladder Channel
2. Liver Channel
3. Lung Channel
4. Large Intestine Channel
5. Stomach Channel
6. Spleen Channel
7. Heart Channel
8. Small Intestine Channel
9. Bladder Channel
10. Kidney Channel
11. Pericardium Channel(心包经)
12. Triple Heater Channel(三焦经)
Effects of Acupressure through JingLuo and Acupoints
The effect of Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. It is widely used to treat general discomfort in many areas. It is believed to help the body to heal through stimulating the circulating system, endocrine system, nervous system, digestion system, respiratory system, and muscular system.
Research on JingLuo and acupoints were done by Shanghai Fu Dan University, Shanghai Bao Shan Acupuncture Hospital, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Second Army Medical School, and Shanghai Chinese Medical School. MRI, CAT scanners, and autopsies were used in the research.
The discoveries on the characteristics of JingLuo and acupoints are :
1. JingLuo and acupoints are complex structures, aggregates of connective tissues, lymph ducts, blood vessels and nerves that possess complex biological functions.
2. The connective tissues deep under the acupoints contain larger amount of the elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, chromium than other tissues. Among them, the amount of calcium is proportionally higher than in any other tissues except bones, about 10 to 100 times higher. Calcium ions are important messengers in the regulating the functions of the body.
3. The collagens in the connective tissue of JingLuo and acupoints are highly efficient in transmitting infrared signals. This suggests that the human body may possess an optical system that controls the functions of the body.
Application in Massage Practice
In practice, acupressure is often used as part of TuiNa therapy. Acupoints can be pressed alone or combined in a TuiNa massage session.
When I was working in office, a colleague was suffering from headache. I pressed a couple of points on her hand and neck for a couple of minutes, her headache was relieved and she could go back to work. This is a case of using limited acupoints to relieve pain.
In a TuiNa massage session, acupoints are often used to enhance the therapeutic effects. While massaging on the arms and hands, for example, HeGu (LI4) is often pressed for about 10-20 seconds or so as a general care.
Acupressure is convenient to be used for self-help when you have headache or minor discomfort. I will demonstrate in class during oral presentation.
As the ancient Chinese believed, our body is an extremely highly intelligent being. It is made to heal itself. Acupressure is to assist the body’s own healing mechanism. Having this understanding in mind, we should treat out body as a whole and cope with it according to its natural healing process.
Acupressure vs. Swedish Massage
Acupressure and Swedish massage cannot replace each other. Each has its unique characteristics. Acupressure is often used for pain management, while Swedish massage is well received for relaxation.
However, a blend of acupressure and Swedish massage when applied skillfully can present a whole new experience—relaxing and healing.
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