Acupressure therapyis based on the same ancient Chinese healing art as acupuncture, with finger pressure on the skin’s surface replacing needles. Reducing muscular tension through acupressure can help improve blood flow and energy levels. A 2006 study at the Mayo Clinic suggested that acupressure reduces the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a disorder marked by fatigue, stiffness and other symptoms.

Some studies show that acupressure increases the level of pain-relieving endorphins in the body.

The list of ailments that acupressure helps relieve includes headaches, body aches, colds, arthritis, allergies, asthma and menstrual cramps.

How does it work? Like acupuncture, acupressure is based on the premise of life energy or life force, called chi and pronounced "chee." Chi is believed to travel through the body along channels or pathways called meridians and influences organ function. When chi is blocked, pain results. Acupressure applied at specified points along the meridian, called acupoints, is believed to allow chi to flow unobstructed.

You don’t need to visit an acupressure specialist to gain the benefits of acupressure. Core Products use cones to stimulate pressure applied by fingers. The Acu+Node universal elbow support, with a grid of either cone-shaped or rounded points, depending upon the injury, helps reduce tennis elbow by increasing blood flow to sore, tired muscles.

Two sizes of Acu-Cones can decrease troublesome back pain by applying pressure to each side of the spine. Small cones are used for the middle or upper back – the dorsal area – and larger cones for the lower back – the lumbar area. In either case, the cones are attached to a positioning belt that is then tightened around the affected area to apply needed pressure.

Another model of Acu-Cones helps relieve pain associated with sciatica. These cones apply acupressure to two strategic points along the sciatic nerve, the large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of the leg. Symptoms of sciatica include tingling, numbness and weakness in the nerve area.