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Exercise is excellent at preventing gout, but it isn't the best treatment when it comes to easing a gout attack. However, this doesn't mean that you need to turn to medication to ease your pain and discomfort. There are plenty of alternative and complimentary remedies out there you may want to try first. One such alternative or complimentary therapy is acupressure.

What is acupressure? Acupressure, also known as a Shiatsu massage, is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Essentially, the belief is that the body has approximately 2000 trigger points that are linked throughout the body via 20 different meridians. Qi (life energy) flows throughout the meridians between the surface of the body and its internal organs. Qi uniquely affects all of the trigger points it flows through bringing balance to both the mind and body.

When the body suffers injury or illness, qi becomes unbalanced. Thus by performing acupressure on the particular points of the body related to the affected area, these points can be used to direct the nervous system to release muscular tension and increase blood flow to the injured parts. In other words, balance is restored.

The main difference between, acupuncture and acupressure is the application. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure primarily uses fingers or thumbs to apply pressure to the trigger points to encourage circulation and self-healing in the body.

What are the benefits of acupressure for gout sufferers? Acupressure provides many gout sufferers with relief from pain, resulting from inflammation of gout-infected joints. Acupressure can also:
- Increase circulation
- Reduce tension
- Relieves stress
- Enables the body to achieve deep relaxation
- Maintain health

How to perform acupressure ' Acupressure is performed by applying gentle, but firm pressure to a specific trigger point with the finger, thumb or knuckle. Pressure is usually applied for 15 ' 30 seconds. You will know when the trigger point has been found as you will feel a sharp jolt, immediately followed by a tingling or numbing sensation. This sensitivity is normal, and usually decreases over time. When pressure is released, there is often immediate pain relief.

Although acupressure is a treatment that requires no equipment, oils, etc. to work, it is important that you know how to properly perform acupressure before applying it to yourself or others. There are plenty of online resources and self-help guides that can educate and teach you how to perform acupressure, but it is recommended that you seek treatment and instruction from a qualified and experienced acupressure therapist before engaging in acupressure on your own.

For instance, even though a diagram can show you every acupressure trigger point on the body, not all points can help you achieve relief from gout pain and discomfort. Every illness has its own specific trigger points that need to be targeted based on the ailment and the area of the body where one is experiencing symptoms.

For example, if you were to visit http://magnecare.co.uk, you would find a diagram of acupressure points and discover that the recommended trigger points to relieve gout pain are -
41 'Located just above the inside ankle
63 'Located on the lower back near the spine
65 ' Located in the middle of the buttock
66 ' Located on the backside of your hip
67 ' Located directly behind your knee
68 - Located in the middle of your calf

However, depending on where you are experiencing gout pain, not all of these trigger points need to be addressed.

To find a local qualified acupressure therapist, ask your doctor, a physiotherapist, the local hospital, or check the yellow pages. You can also search online by using your city name and 'acupressure therapist' as the keyword search.

Remember, if you want effective pain relief from a gout attack, acupressure must be performed properly.