Press away PAIN

Want to stop annoying niggles and health concerns from spoiling your day? You'll find the answer at your fingertips

When it's finally time for a well-deserved break, you want to feel on top form. But hay fever which affects one in four people - travel sickness, jet lag and other less seasonal ailments all have the potential to ruin an enjoyable time.

The good news? Your fingertips could be all you need to feel better - thanks to the power of acupressure. Used for more than 5000 years, this traditional Chinese treatment is easy to perform on yourself, painless, free and works in minutes. What's not to love?

'Acupressure is a safe and gentle practice used to relieve symptoms from many common disorders, such as insomnia and headaches,' says Five Element Acupuncturist Asha Chong. 'It involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, similar to acupuncture, except that it uses your thumb and fingertip pressure instead of fine needles.'

UNBLOCKING YOUR 'QI 

Acupressure uses 365 main points on the body, located on meridians, explains holistic health expert Richard Brook, author of Understanding Human Nature: A User's Guide to Life. 'Life energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") flows through the meridian pathways, which link one function of the body with another. If the qi is blocked, it's thought it can cause health problems. Although the exact science of how acupressure works is unknown, the benefits are widely reported. 'Acupressure stimulation is considered to cause the release of endorphins, the natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body,' explains Asha. 'It's reported to stimulate the lymphatic system, improve blood flow, increase energy levels, reduce stress and anxiety, promote mental well-being and help relieve tension.