Top 5 Acupressure Points For Stress Relief
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that’s based on the traditional Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture. With acupressure, you put pressure on specific places on your body. These places are called acupoints. Pressing these points can help release muscle tension and promote blood circulation. It can also relieve many common side effects of chemotherapy. There are different Acupressure Points For Stress Relief.
Acupressure is often called acupuncture without the needles. Instead of needles, acupressure involves the application of manual pressure (usually with the fingertips) to specific points on the body. According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), invisible pathways of energy called meridians flow within the body. At least 14 meridians are thought to connect our organs with other parts of the body. Acupuncture and acupressure points lie along those meridians.
If the flow of energy (also called “chi” or “qi”) is blocked at any point on a meridian, it’s thought to cause various symptoms and health conditions anywhere along the meridian. That’s why a healthcare provider may apply pressure to an acupressure point on the foot to relieve a headache.
Uses of Acupressure
Most people try acupressure for the first time to manage symptoms of a condition, such as:
- Cancer-related fatigue and other forms of fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Menstrual cramps
- Motion sickness
- Muscle tension and pain
- Nausea or vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy
- Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and morning sickness
- Stress management
Main Acupressure points in the body
There are more than 400 acupoints on the body, along 12 major meridians. Some of the most well known include:
Joining the Valley (LI 4):
rubbing the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger may help in alleviating headaches.
Third Eye (GV 24.5):
positioned on the knobbly spot between your eyebrows on the bridge of your nose, applying pressure
here may relieve sinus pain and congestion.
Commanding Middle (B 54):
at the centre back of each kneecap, this point may reduce back and hip pain, and might relieve arthritic knees.
Benefits of acupressure
Acupressure therapy stimulates the body’s circulatory, lymphatic and hormonal systems.
It helps relieve stress and anxiety, improves sleep, relaxes your muscles and joints, regulates digestive
issues, minimises headaches and migraines, and is also beneficial for back pains and menstrual cramps.
Positive results from acupressure can be seen within one session or may need multiple, depending on
the severity of your concern—it differs from case to case.
Improvement of blood circulation
Acupressure stimulates the body’s blood flow.
The pressure has the power to move blood through areas that are congested.
It reduces muscle tightness, decreases restriction and helps circulate oxygen and fresh blood to different
parts of the body.
Relief from arthritis
Acupressure has been shown to be effective in treating arthritis. It reduces inflammation and releases endorphins – a natural hormone that reduces the feeling of pain. Arthritis patients find immediate relief after this treatment.
Reduced digestive issues
Acupressure points bring balance to the digestive system.
These points influence the stomach, intestine and other abdominal organs, which in turn helps relieve
indigestion, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, pain and discomfort.
Emotional and mental problems
Emotions have a physiological effect on the body.
From anxiety and depression, to insomnia – acupressure helps treat many emotional and
mental problems.
Acupressure helps channelize this emotional energy, which in turn provides relief to the body.
Improved energy levels
Some acupressure techniques are meant to be extremely soothing.
They energize the mind and align the needs of the inner self with the body, making one feel renewed
and rejuvenated.
Skin and hair health:
The stresses of everyday life reduce blood circulation to the hair follicles and the scalp.
Acupressure stimulates the blood circulation and helps to bring oxygen and fresh blood to the hair and
the scalp, thereby promoting hair growth.
Working on the pressure points, it also benefits your skin by improving your metabolism and relaxing
your muscles.
Trying Acupressure Safely at Home
Consult your doctor or a certified reflexologist or expert
Certified practitioners provide one-on-one consultations.
Buy an acupressure tool/device from the market
Many stores offline and online sell a variety of acupressure machines.
These tools are easy to use and do not have any side effects.
You can use pick up one such machine as directed by your physician.
For senior citizens, acupressure therapy can be a great supplement to traditional medication.
Inexpensive and simple, it can become a daily part of your health regime.
While aging is natural, timely care and health interventions like acupressure can ensure happy
adulthood.
5 ACUPRESSURE POINTS FOR LESS STRESS
- CONCEPTUAL VESSEL 17 (REN 17) OR “CHEST CENTER”
As you might’ve guessed, “chest center” is right at the center of your chest. But you can find the exact
point by locating the midway point between your nipples.
If you’re stressed due to emotional distress, this is the acupressure point for you.
By stimulating this point, you’ll help relax and open up your chest, which is essential to the movement of qi.
This is also great for anyone who feels shortness of breath or tightness in their chest when stressed or
anxious. - GALL BLADDER 21 OR SHOULDER WELL”
Your “Shoulder Well” is located at the highest point of your shoulders.
If you’ve been feeling like Altas these days, this is the perfect acupressure point to take some of the
weight off of your shoulders.
The “Shoulder Well” point helps release any stress or tension in your upper body. It also helps clear any anger. - LIVER 3 OR “GREAT SURGE”
To find your “Great Surge” point, you’ll just need to find the point between your first and second toes
and then move down about an inch.
This spot is one of the best points to relieve stress and irritability.
It’s one of the best points because your “Great Surge” point regulates the flow of qi within your entire body.
Also, if you’re feeling tension or increased digestive problems because of stress, this is a great point for
you. - LARGE INTESTINE 4 OR “UNION VALLEY POINT”
Your “Union Valley Point” is just beyond where your thumb and first finger bones meet.
Sometimes this spot can feel a little achy so if you reach a spot that feels a little more sensitive than
another spot, you’re probably in the right place!
This is a great self-acupressure point because you can activate it just about anywhere (even out of sight in a stressful Zoom meeting or under the table at dinner with your in-laws).
By activating this point you’ll help reduce stress, headaches, and neck pain. Again, do NOT use this point during pregnancy as it can induce labor. - “HALL OF IMPRESSION” (YIN TANG)
Your “Hall of Impression” is located right in the center of the eyebrows, also known as your “third eye.”
This is another great pressure point for emotional well-being.
With everything going on in the world these days, emotional overwhelm can be hard to avoid. (We’ve
definitely felt a lot of emotions this past year.)
By activating your “Hall of Impression,” you’re connecting with the pineal gland which helps promote
deep relaxation.
Use this acupressure point when you need to calm down or clear out any anxiety or overwhelm.
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