Digitopuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine and offers to treat many diseases by manually applying pressure on specific points of the body. Scientific studies are struggling to demonstrate its real effectiveness and the absence of a placebo effect.

Digitopuncture is very similar to acupuncture. Like her, she is based on traditional Chinese medicine and seeks to balance the flows of energy or life force (qi or chi) which are supposed to flow through the pathways of the body (we also speak of meridians). But unlike acupuncture which uses needles to target specific pressure points on these meridians, acupuncture uses pressure from the fingers, elbow, feet, or even accessories such as balls for example. We also talk about acupressure.

In Western countries, practitioners of acupuncture or digitopuncture present the pressure points referred to as places to stimulate nerves, muscles or connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation stimulates the body’s production of natural painkillers or increases blood flow.

Many reports attempt to support its use for different diseases, but most of its studies do not clearly demonstrate the absence of a placebo effect.

Sleep and insomnia

The effects of acupressure on improving sleep and insomnia are not clearly established, but it seems that acupressure sessions three to four times a week over a period of three to four weeks improves the time it takes to fall asleep. and the duration of sleep in patients, without side effects.

pain

Although research on acupressure and menstrual cramps is limited, it appears to be more effective than a placebo in relieving menstrual cramps. Preliminary studies also suggest that acupressure may help relieve lower back pain, postoperative pain, or headache.

Hundreds of acupuncture points on the body are described. Of these, three are commonly used by acupressure practitioners:

• the space of flesh between the thumb and forefinger;
• the fleshy part between the thumb of the foot and the second toe;
• an area above the ankle bone towards the inside of the leg, at the level of the anchoring area of ​​the lower calf muscle.

By using the middle and index fingers to press firmly on the groove between the two large tendons on the inside of the wrist, just at the base of your palm, it would be possible to relieve mild nausea and especially nausea on your own. morning.

During an acupressure session, the patient is fully clothed on a massage table. The practitioner then gently presses on the acupressure points of the body. A session usually lasts an hour and several sessions are usually necessary.

Digitopuncture is performed with the fingers, elbow, feet or possibly accessories such as balls or rollers. This technique therefore presents no risk of transmission of infection (unlike acupuncture which uses needles).

Like any alternative medicine whose effects have not been scientifically demonstrated, digitopuncture cannot replace conventional treatments and in particular in the treatment of serious illnesses. It is also to be avoided in case of joint or bone disease because the pressure could increase the pain. Likewise, it should be avoided in pregnant women because it could trigger contractions.