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How to Relieve Your Pain Naturally
By Dr. Al Sears
You can relieve your pain naturally, without the side effects of taking drugs.
You can use a safe therapy that really works. It eliminates pain in many cases. It’s tried and tested, non-addictive, and non-toxic.
But you’re not likely to get it from your doctor.
I’m talking about the ancient practice of acupressure.
I’ve referred many patients to both acupuncture and acupressure for various problems, but it’s in the area of pain relief that I’ve had the most success.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of your skin to stimulate your body’s natural healing process.
When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood… your body’s life force. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of your hands.
What’s more, it’s safe to do on yourself and others, even if you’ve never done it before.
There are no side effects from drugs, because there are no drugs. And the only equipment you need is your own two hands.
Acupressure is used for all kinds of pain, including back pain. In a study published in Preventive Medicine in July 2004, researchers used acupressure therapy and standard physical therapy for people with chronic lower back pain.
They found the acupressure group had significantly less pain after treatment and at a six-month follow-up, compared to the physical therapy group.
Western scientists have mapped out and proved the existence of this system of body points by using sensitive electrical devices.
Stimulating these points with pressure, needles, or heat triggers the release of endorphins, which relieve pain. As a result, pain is blocked, and the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area is increased. This causes the muscles to relax and promotes healing.
Because acupressure blocks the pain signals sent to the brain through a mild, fairly painless stimulation, it has been described as closing the “gates” of the pain-signaling system, preventing painful sensations from passing through the spinal cord to the brain.1
Besides relieving pain, acupressure can help rebalance your body by dissolving tensions and stresses that keep it from functioning smoothly and that inhibit the immune system. Acupressure enables your body to adapt to environmental changes and resist illness.
You can try acupressure right now:
Behind your knees you’ll find pressure points that help relieve back pain. Simply press these pressure points in order to reduce your back pain.
The easiest way is to lie down with your legs in the air and your knees slightly bent. Then, locate the crease of the knee with your fingers and place the fingertips in the middle of the crease.
Maintain steady pressure while rocking your legs forward and backward slowly, and breathing deeply for one minute.
When the minute is over, gently place your feet back on the floor with knees bent and breathe regularly. When you’re completely relaxed after your acupressure session, simply get up and continue your day. You should do this three times a day for best results.
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Dr. Al Sears owns and operates an integrative medicine and anti-aging clinic in Wellington, Fla., with more than 20,000 patients. His therapies and reputation for solving some of the most difficult-to-diagnose cases attract patients from around the world. You will find his website here.
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1 T. Tan Leng, Margaret Y. C. Tan, and Ilza Veith, Acupuncture Therapy - Current Chinese Practice (Philadelphia: Temple University, 1973).
