Acupressure is an Oriental form of bodywork based in the same principals of Acupuncture that uses finger pressure to stimulate the acupoints with the aim of restoring and balancing the Qi, a life energy that circulates along the meridians through the human body. Acupressure can be used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and it can be combined with the conventional forms of treatment used by Physical Therapists. Musculoskeletal conditions are very common in medical consultations around the world, reason why is proposed the practice of a different technique for the treatment of this type of problems, in order to provide alternatives to Therapists and patients.
Making a review of the history and the traditional as well as the scientific foundations of Acupressure, the present work summarizes the concept of Acupressure in a way that the professionals and students of Physical Therapy can understand the philosophy behind it, which differs in many ways from the Western view of the human body, health and illness. Understanding the different concepts involved in Traditional Chinese Medicine such as the meridians and acupoints is crucial to be able to apply the technique properly, so the description of all these basic concepts is clearly made. Finally, all the considerations to take on board by the Therapists within the practice of Acupressure as a treatment for musculoskeletal conditions are explained in detail in an attached guidebook so they could incorporate it in their work with patients.