Acupressure is a traditional Chinese treatment that involves physical pressure being applied to certain pressure points on the body. This massage technique has been medically proven to have superior benefits than a traditional massage. Some acupressure therapists also include the use of Aromatherapy to improve results. Aromatherapy uses Essential Oils which are extracts of medicinal plants and herbs and contain compounds that have therapeutic effects.
Backaches are classified and treated according to their location, intensity and duration. Backaches can be classified as upper, middle or lower backache and can be either acute or chronic. An acute backache is generally a sharp pain that does not remain for more than a few days. A chronic backache is a duller, throbbing ache that lingers for over two weeks. Although hereditary, which we cannot do anything about, does play a small role in backaches, the main culprits can easily be addressed and eliminated. These are:
- Poor Posture has an adverse and immense effect on your back. Sitting or standing incorrectly as well as wearing high heels can put unnecessary pressure on your back and is often the root cause of most back problems.
- Sleeping on a mattress that does not support your weight can cause chronic back aches; even the position that you sleep in can affect your back.
- Obesity is a cause for concern and as obesity escalates so does back problems. Your backbone supports your upper-body. As it is not one solid bone but is in fact made up of several bones, it cannot take the burden of added bodyweight that comes along with obesity.
There are several pressure points on the hip, thigh, leg, spine, kidney and solar plexus that are involved in treating backaches with acupressure. This massage will also help to eliminate back pain as it identifies and corrects muscle imbalances. An acupressure massage that includes aromatherapy is paradoxically invigorating yet relaxing. Oils like sage, horsebalm and mountain dittany contain natural muscular relaxants. Cardamom and rosemary have high concentrations of Borneol which is a very effective antispasmodic compound that controls and reduces muscle spasms.
Essential oils are very strong and cannot be applied directly to the skin. They have to be diluted in a carrier oil before use. Several oils can be mixed together for optimum results. Make sure that you always use good quality essential oils and ensure that your bottle is not marked as having fragrance or perfume oils. These oils are not essential oils and have no therapeutic uses. You can make your own aromatherapy massage oil by mixing an equal number of drops of rosemary, birch, ginger and chamomile essential oils. Add four times the number of drops of lavender essential oil and mix the oils thoroughly. Your carrier oil will have to be at least five times as much in volume as this mixture