Comparison of Chinese and Indian Acupressure techniques

1. Indian Acupressure and Chinese Acupressure techniques

Acupressure Therapy has existed in Bharat for over five thousand years. The Buddhist Ascetics, Sages and travellers carried it to China and Japan. In China, Japan and Korea, Acupressure and Acupuncture therapies were given official sanction. These therapies were also given official recognition as standard forms of therapy. This article compares the Chinese and Indian Acupressure techniques and explains how Indian acupressure method is more subtler as it is based on science of Spirituality.

A. Method of diagnosis

Bharatiya (Indian) method : This method is subtler than the study of ‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’ meridians in the Chinese method (If Yang represents masculinity or action principle, Yin represents feminity. In other words, the energy flow in the body is generally categorized as the right side [meaning, the male] and the left side [meaning, the female]), i.e. it is subtler than the study of two sides; because, it studies the vibrations concentrated in the various points of the energy flow and the vibrations that activate the cells in respective organs. When a specific point is pressed, the disease associated with the specific organ is diagnosed.
The Chinese method : In this method, diagnosis is relatively superficial.

B. Depth of diagnosis

Bharatiya method : In this method, the Acupressure points corresponding to a specific organ are pressed and the associated organ is stimulated. Through activation of a point, the obstacles in the flow of energy are overcome.
Chinese method : The diagnosis made with this technique is neither perfect nor comprehensive.

C. Actual treatment

Bharatiya method : This method generates chetana in the organ, which increases the ability of the organ and thereby eliminates obstacles through the proper functioning of that organ. Indian acupressure Therapy is not only a means to cure physical ailments but is a science which understands the importance of chetana-shakti (Sentient energy) in human life, and teaches what individuals should do every moment of their lives to keep chetana-shakti functioning smoothly. Understanding this science and trying to put it into practice is itself ‘sadhana (Spiritual practice)’.
Chinese method : The diagnosis in this method is limited to finding out which side of the body is strong and which is weak.

D. Benefits

Bharatiya method : This method aims directly at the organ in the body.
Chinese method : This method does not directly correlate the organs to the meridians. It only relates (that too approximately) to respective side of the body.

2. Chinese techniques of Acupressure

Therapy and nadis (Energy channels) in Kundaliniyoga

A. The relationship between ‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’ nadis (Energy channels) and Acupressure points and other organs in the body

Obstacles in the flow of energy:

Obstacles on the left side (Distress due to negative energies) : If there is an obstacle in the flow of energy on the left side, it is concluded that the individual is suffering from distress due to darkness, which in other words means distress due to negative energies
Distress on the right side (Wrath of a Deity) : If there is an obstacle in the flow of energy on the right side, based on the site of the obstacle, the conclusion is that, it is due to the wrath of a specific Deity associated with that side. As a remedy, worship of a Deity, meaning, worship of light is recommended. (An individual, who despite having the ability to perform spiritual practice does not do so, has to face the wrath of Deities. Similarly, some Shudra devatas [Subordinate Deities] get enraged when they are not offered utara that they have been promised.)

B. ‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’ meridians and the nadis in Kundaliniyoga

	‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’ meridians in the Chinese method	Nadis in Kundaliniyoga (Path of activation of spiritual energy)
1. Associated Path of Yoga	Shaktipat (Self-realisation by transmission of spiritual energy from the Guru)	Dnyan (Spiritual knowledge) and dhyan (Meditation)
2. The process of studying	The energy flow in the body is clearly categorised as masculine and feminine, and examined with touch	Sages had understood and seen with their subtle-vision the energy flow in channels in the body, their momentum of flow and had knowledge of their cyclical regulation
3. Creation of knowledge	Since the likelihood of interference by negative energies is high, knowledge created is of low level	Since knowledge has been passed on by Sages from times immemorial through the medium of pure Chaitanya (Divine consciousness), there is less likelihood of interference by negative energies
4. Expansiveness of Dnyan	A. It has only physical knowledge of the energy flow on the left and right side of the body under the nomenclature ‘light’ and ‘darkness B. It can recognise physical cause of illness	A. It involves very deep knowledge of energy flow joining from three main nadis, functioning of each nadi and recognition of Yoga based on the momentum of energy flow in the naḍi. B. Knowledge of give-and-take account between pinḍa (Subtle-body) and Brahmanda (Universe) with the associated cause-effect relationship
5. Level of Divine Knowledge	Subtle among the physical	Subtle-most among the subtle
6. Limitations	It is believed that only two types of energies dwell in the body	It has minute details of all 72,000 subtle-most naḍis and their vibrations, energy generated by them and their effects on pinda and Brahmanda
7. Technique of treatment	It is possible to identify the obstacles in the transmission of energy in energy flow with physical touch; but likelihood of this diagnosis being wrong exists	On the level of omniscience it is possible to become one with universal mind and universal intellect and thereby, discover the subtlest Acupressure points for the obstacles in the energy flow and being able to experience it spiritually.