5 Self-Acupressure Points for Less Stress

5 Self-Acupressure Points for Less Stress – Lovely flower tea is excellent for stress relief, but there are plenty of other wellness rituals you can consider adding to your routine. You can indulge in Acupressure if you’ve been feeling a little stressed lately. Acupressure has become a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a treatment for various conditions. Acupressure is commonly used to treat stress, boost immunity, and relieve pain, but today we’re diving into five of our favorite self-acupressure points for reducing stress.

What is Acupressure?

According to UCLA’s Division of Integrative Medicine, “Acupressure is essentially a way of signaling the body (via needles or other means) to ‘turn on its self-healing or regulatory mechanism’s” (1). In TCM, Acupressure helps improve the flow of qi, or life force energy. This is done by put on pressure specific points along the body’s meridians, the pathways through which qi flows.

Acupressure and acupuncture are both stimulating qi, but they are slightly different. In acupuncture, a licensed acupuncturist inserts needles into specific acupuncture points. Instead, Acupressure uses firm pressure to massage those points. While these health remedies work well, acupuncture activates the body’s natural healing powers more than Acupressure because the needles used in acupuncture can pinpoint precise meridian points.

What are the Benefits OF Acupressure?

As we shared above, people use Acupressure for various reasons, but stress relief is one of the main benefits. Today we will mainly focus on stress, but there are some other problems that Acupressure can help with:

• Cancer-related weariness and other forms of fatigue
• insomnia
• headache
• menstrual pain
• wave illness
• power tension and agony
• nausea or vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy
• Nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness during pregnancy

Can You Do Acupressure on Yourself? – Acupressure Points

When doing self-shiatsu, massage and stimulate each point by pressing, not uncomfortable. Make a circular motion or hold it down to increase it

Remember to relax, breathe, and listen to your body signals when doing self-shiatsu. Usually, self-shiatsu is only done for a few seconds, but you can do shiatsu massage as often as necessary.

5 Acupressure Points for Less Stress

1. Conceptual Receptacle 17 (REN 17) or “Breast Centre” (SHAN ZHONG)

Where?

As you can imagine, the “center of the chest” is in the middle of the chest. However, you can find the exact location by finding the midpoint of the nipple.

Why?

This is your acupressure point if you stand stressed out by emotional distress. Also great for those who experience shortness of breath or chest tightness when feeling stressed or anxious.

2. Gallbladder 21 or “shoulder well.”

Where?

Your “good shoulder” is at the highest point of your shoulder.

Why?

If you’ve been feeling like Altus lately, this is the perfect spot to take a little weight off your shoulders. It also helps to release anger. However, do not use this point during pregnancy as it may induce labor.”

3. LIVER 3 OR “GREAT SURGE.” – Acupressure Points

Where?

To find the “big swell” point, you need to find the point between your first toe and his second toe and move down about an inch.

 4. LARGE INTESTINE 4 OR “UNION VALLEY POINT.”

Where?

Your “Union Valley Point” is beyond where your thumb and index finger bones meet. Sometimes this place can be a little sore, so if you get to an area that feels a little more sensitive than others, you’re probably in the right place!

Why?

It’s also great as a selfie point because it works anywhere (whether it’s a stressful Zoom meeting, under the dining table with your in-laws, or out of sight). Activating this point can help reduce stress, headaches, and neck pain. But, again, do not use this point during pregnancy as it can induce labor.

5. “HALL OF PRINTING” (YIN TANG) – Acupressure Points

Where?

Your “impression hall of fame” is in the middle of your brow, also known as your “third eye.”

Why?

This is another big pressure point for your emotional well-being. With all the world these days, it can be hard to avoid emotional overwhelm. By activating the “impression room,” you connect with the pineal gland and promote deep relaxation. Use this acupuncture point when you need to calm or remove anxiety and overwhelm.

How does Shiatsu Work? – Acupressure Points

There is no consensus in the Western world as to why Acupressure works. Some scientists believe that stimulating acupuncture points promotes the release of endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals. Others believe that activating acupuncture points can stimulate the autonomic nervous system.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Acupressure is believed to promote the flow of life force, Qi. Your qi comprises two equal but opposite forces, yin, and yang. TCM practitioners believe that an imbalance between yin and yang can lead to illness and disease. To keep qi in balance, we must keep our organs and external elements balanced. Restore balance by stimulating the meridians that lead to the internal organs.