Extracted from The Back Pain Sourcebook by Stephanie Levin-Gervasi

Acupressure is an ancient therapy for tension and pain relief. Acupressure uses the same points as acupuncture. The distinction between acupressure and acupuncture is that needles are used in acupuncture and a gentle, but firm pressure of the hands is the basis for acupressure.

Acupressure is the older of the two techniques. Acupressurist posture that the power and sensitivity of the human hand, is most effective in relieving tension related to ailments in self-treatment and in prevention. In order to relax muscular tension and balance the vital forces of the body, acupressure uses a system of points. Acupressure sessions focus not only on relieving discomfort, but on responding to these tensions and toxicity's in the body before they develop into an illness. The practice of acupressure has developed primarily through a combination of instinct and hands-on experience. A session runs between $20-$30, and incurs no risk.