Acupressure is the application of pressure to the body to affect the flow of energy called Prana (life force) or Ki, and Chetana or Chi (bio-electricity) in the 12 meridians according to the principles of Indian medicine. This science is practiced in India and Asia where more emphasis is given to a person’s responsibility for their own health than it is in the West, and is often used as a self-help treatment.

Marmachikitsa (Acupressure) is believed to be the ‘mother of Acupuncture, Reflexology, and Shiatsu’ in that it predates the use of needles to stimulate the body’s energy flow. The principles are the same as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the Acu-points of the body,hands, feet and head mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object. Stimulation or relaxation of the body’s meridian system by touch is perhaps one of the oldest healing systems, and many other therapies use Acupressure techniques including Shen Tao, Jin Shen, Do Jin Shen, Qigong, Shiatsu and Tuina.

The science of Marma therapy operates based on the theory that the human body has 12 “meridians” that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. The names of these meridians specify the organ associated with them.

For example, the lung meridian is connected to the lungs via the nervous system. Theoretically, a lung problem arises if there is an obstruction (that can be caused by abuse, under use, over use, emotional or mental disturbance etc) in the lung meridian that slows down the flow of energy. If somehow the obstruction is removed or dissolved, the energy flow becomes regular and the lungs start functioning well. How is the obstruction removed? The answer to this question defines one basic concept of acupressure.

The great Yogi’s of India believe that the hands and feet of our body are a mirror into the physical, mental, and spiritual condition of our being. Using their extensive knowledge in palmistry and acupressure they were able to assess the condition of a person and find the root cause of any ailment or imbalance. The science of Marmachikitsa teaches that every organ and gland has a particular frequency by way of which they communicate with the brain. The frequency of liver pain is different to kidney pain, and that of a tooth ache is different to bone pain. Through these particular frequencies the brain is able to decipher which part of the body needs attention. In Marma Therapy it is stated that the hands and feet hold all of the frequencies in the body, and through careful analysis, the present condition of the body can be determined.

A tender acupressure point signifies that the organ or gland of that frequency is suffering from being either blocked, overly active or sluggish. The application of pressure to these tender points sends an alarm signal to the brain which immediately responds, activating the natural doctors and pain-relievers inside our body. In illness or imbalance these doctors of the body become sluggish like a lazy fireman. Repeated acupressure rings the alarm bells of the fire station improving the alertness and the speed of response from the body’s doctors (endocrine system, immune system and the regenerating and toxin eliminating organs).