Acupressure: The Forgotten Chinese Medicine Technique to Clear Stuck Energy

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for centuries and is now widely used and trusted by Western cultures as well. Today, we will talk specifically about the healing properties of acupressure—the practice of applying physical pressure to specific points on the body. By stimulating these points, we can restore the body's natural energy flow, which directly supports and restores the healthy function of our internal organs.

Acupressure works on the principle of balancing Qi (pronounced "chee"), the body’s natural energy. A trained practitioner identifies which energy pathways need attention based on your symptoms. They then use anatomical landmarks to locate specific acupressure points—think of meridians as an internal highway system, and these points as the exits connected to specific organs and body functions.

For example, if you are struggling with gut issues like IBS, a practitioner won't just look at your stomach. Instead, they find an accupressure point located three fingers below your kneecap on the outside of your leg. By applying firm pressure to this specific point, they can send a signal through the energy highway to soothe your digestion and relieve bloating.

On a broader scale, acupressure works by tapping into the body's peripheral nervous system, where pressing specific muscular points sends rapid electrical signals directly to the brain and spinal cord. This trigger releases natural pain-relieving endorphins, increases localized blood circulation, and physically shifts the body out of a stressed "fight-or-flight" state into deep, restorative healing.

What makes acupressure truly amazing is that it doesn’t just stop at physical symptoms. Modern science is finally catching up to what TCM has known for centuries: your physical body and your mental health are deeply intertwined.

Recent clinical studies have shown that acupressure is highly effective at alleviating symptoms of depression, and helping the insomnia that so often goes hand-in-hand with mental distress.

One study found that acupressure is highly effective at reducing symptoms of depression, while also improving related issues like insomnia, all with an excellent safety record. Its success depends on choosing the right combination of points for each person—such as using GV20 (top of the head), HT7 (wrist), and LR3 (foot)—and it can be used safely alongside standard treatments like therapy or medication.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbii.2026.100153

remember, meridians run through the body to deliver and move energy. 

The human body features 365 main acupressure points distributed across 12 primary energy meridians, which run symmetrically on both sides of the body. These meridians are balanced equally into six Yin (feminine) and six Yang (masculine) pathways, with three of each type located in the arms and three in the legs. Every individual point is part of a larger interconnected system, with meridians containing anywhere from 9 to 60 points—the Bladder meridian along the spine being the longest, with 67 points.

Specific Meridian Points for Common Conditions

Let's get straight to the ACCUPRESSURE points for your specific concerns. In this section, you'll find the exact points that can help relieve pain and discomfort.

Anxiety

• Location: Directly between your eyebrows, where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.

• How to Press: Place your index finger or thumb here. Apply gentle, steady pressure or rub in small circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes while taking slow, deep breaths.

Emotional distress, heart palpitations, nervousness, and insomnia

Located on the Heart meridian, HT7 is the go-to point for emotional distress, heart palpitations, nervousness, and insomnia.

• Location: On your inner wrist crease, in the small hollow directly below your pinky finger.

• How to Press: Use your opposite thumb to press firmly into the hollow. Hold firm pressure for 1 to 2 minutes, then switch wrists.

Chest tightness, nausea, and that "knot" in your stomach caused by severe stress.

• Location: Turn your palm up. Lay three fingers across your wrist crease. P6 sits directly below your index finger, right between the two prominent tendons in the center of your forearm.

• How to Press: Press down firmly with your thumb between the two tendons. Massage in firm circles for 1 to 3 minutes while maintaining slow diaphragmatic breathing.

• Pro Tip: Combine acupressure with box breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4). The combination of physical pressure and controlled oxygen intake signals your brain that you are safe, down-regulating stress hormones fast.

Menstrual Cramps & Lower Back Pain

What it does: This point is used to relax smooth muscle contractions in the uterus and ease lower back pain, thereby improving pelvic circulation.

• Find the point: Place four finger-widths above the highest peak of your inner ankle bone, along the back edge of the shinbone (labeled SP6 in the diagram above).

• Apply pressure: Use your thumb to press firmly into the slightly tender spot.

• Hold & breathe: Apply steady pressure while massaging in small circular motions for 1 to 3 minutes while taking slow, deep breaths.

• Repeat: Switch to the opposite leg and repeat. You can perform this 2–3 times daily for period relief.

If you want to target the largest meridian pathways from the comfort of your home, I highly recommend using an acupressure mat.

My personal favorite is Pranamat because it’s made from high-quality, natural materials like buckwheat hull filling and linen. It’s truly a lifetime investment built to last:)

When you lie on your back, you trigger full-body acupressure benefits. Here are the biggest ones: 

• Increased circulation to your skin and muscles

• Deep muscle relaxation and temporary relief from soreness

• Reduced stress and feelings of anxiety

• Better relaxation to help you fall asleep faster

• Great post-workout recovery support

• A boost in feel-good endorphins

• Relief from neck and lower back discomfort

• fewer tension-related headaches

On a personal note, I used to struggle with severe neck pain. Since I started using the acupressure mat, my neck pain has improved by 70%! On top of that, my skin feels noticeably smoother, and my sleep is much deeper—I fall asleep so easily now. Those have definitely been the biggest improvements I’ve personally noticed:)

(Pranamat is currently running a 30% off Summer Sale! Use my code wholisticbeata to get 30% off yours) click here

Resources:

1. Chronic Low Back Pain

Murphy, S. L., Harris, R. E., & Susko, A. M. (2019). Self-Administered Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. Pain Medicine, 20(12), 2588–2597. PMID: 31237610

2. Pregnancy Nausea & Morning Sickness

Belluomini, J., Litt, R. C., Lee, K. A., & Katz, M. (1994). Acupressure for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a randomized, blinded study. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 84(2), 245–248. PMID: 8041539

3. Insomnia & Sleep Quality

Simon, R., & Farra, A. (2014). Acupressure in insomnia and other sleep disorders in elderly institutionalized patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Integrative Medicine Research, 3(2), 85–91. PMID: 24878886

4. Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Pain)

Gökçe, S., & Bıçakçı, H. (2025). The effect of acupressure on pain, menstrual symptoms, and comfort in adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 58, 101900. PMID: 40605053

5. Post-Operative Nausea & Vomiting

Agarwal, A., Pathak, R., & Gaur, A. (2002). The efficacy of acupressure to prevent nausea and vomiting in post-operative patients. Journal of Postanalytical & Clinical Anesthesiology, 14(3), 201–205. PMID: 12139646