Acupressure

What is acupressure?

Acupressure is a technique derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM there are channels called meridians that run along the body through which chi or energy, flows. Along these meridians are points called acupoints.
Various illnesses and symptoms can be treated by stimulating these acupoints.
Different methods are used to stimulate acupoints.
Acupressure uses physical pressure applied to acupoints by fingers, thumbs, elbows, or with various devices to treat disease.
Self-acupressure is when you apply pressure in a circular fashion to an acupoint by yourself.
Different acupoints are stimulated depending on what symptoms are being treated.
Acupressure can also be personalized to match unique symptoms and characteristics of the person being treated.

Acupressure has been practiced for thousands of years.
Western scientists only started conducting acupressure studies over the past few decades.
Acupressure has been used to treat numerous medical conditions.
Recent studies have shown that acupressure can be helpful for chronic pain by reducing stress and anxiety, decreasing pain, improving sleep, and reducing fatigue.
We currently don't know how pressing on specific acupoints on the body helps improve chronic pain.
Some potential mechanisms of how acupuncture works may include:
- Changes in hormones. Decreasing stress hormones helps decrease anxiety, improve mood, and promote better sleep.
- Changes in the brain associated with pain.
- Change levels of chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters. When these are too high or too low in the brain, it can cause chronic pain.
It's currently unknown if all acupoints cause the same effects in the brain and body.
The ways that acupressure works likely depend upon which acupoints are being stimulated.

The first step in performing self-acupressure is knowing which acupoints to stimulate.
Research conducted at the University of Michigan has found that a set of acupoints called Stimulated Acupressure Points can help some people manage their chronic pain, stress, and fatigue.
Please consult the videos below to help locate these points on yourself or a loved one.
If you prefer a more individualized approach to acupressure treatment, please consult a licensed acupuncturist for treatment recommendations.
Once you know where your acupoints are located, here is how to stimulate your acupoints:
- Stimulate each acupoint for 3 minutes with small circular motions.
- You can use the tip of your finger, thumb, device, or a pencil eraser to stimulate the acupoints.
- Use enough pressure to make the point feel warm, tingly, or even achy.
- Don’t bruise yourself.
- Do not stop in the middle of stimulating an acupoint.
- Do the acupressure once daily for 6 weeks.
- Try to choose the same time each day to perform the acupressure.

The following videos will teach you the technique and the areas of your body where you should apply pressure:

Within six weeks of treatment, you should begin to feel less pain and see improvements in other symptoms such as sleep or mood.
After six weeks of treatment, you may want to discontinue acupressure and continue to experience less pain and other issues.
If your pain worsens, feel free to continue doing acupressure once a day.
Some people like to do acupressure every day, while others use booster sessions of acupressure throughout the year or never need to do acupressure again.
Different people have different reactions to acupressure – find what works for you.

Acupressure is generally considered quite safe.
Occasionally people can experience bruising at acupoint sites. If bruising occurs, use less pressure when stimulating the acupoints, and also consider taking a few days off from doing your acupressure. If bruising persists, stop doing the acupressure – it may not be right for you.
Do not perform acupressure on an open wound or scar, as those areas would be sensitive to pressure.