Classes, books, videos, and internet resources are available to help learn more about this therapy. There are currently no standards or certifying agencies that regulate yoga teaching and practice. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy practiced for more than 2,000 years. There are 12 meridians, each believed to be associated with a vital body function or organ. Acupuncture is used to relieve pain, prevent nausea, and to treat substance abuse as well as several other conditions.
Side effects are minimal but there is a risk of infection from improperly sterilized needles.
To help decrease this risk, it is important to find a certified practitioner. There are standards and certifications in place for acupuncture practitioners. Acupressure Acupressure, or shiatsu, is similar to acupuncture in that it focuses on the body's 12 meridians, or pathways to vital energy. It is based on traditional Chinese medicine that applies manual pressure to specific points along the pathways to relieve pain, stress, mild depression, and other disorders. There are no national standards for the practice of this technique.