Suffer from anxiety, stress or insomnia? Acupressure can help you

The original purpose of stress, yes it has a purpose, is to instigate a fight or flight reaction to a potentially threatening situation. It is a vital part of human survival; if you came in close contact with a wild animal, for example, you would instinctively choose whether to fight it or run away from it. Modern day stress is created by different factors, most of which are not things we can’t attack nor flee from and so we struggle to find a way to relieve that stress. It also builds up due to us being in persistently stressful environments or situations; meeting deadlines, working a stressful job, being on time, being in a difficult relationship, etc. there are countless pressures in the society we have created for ourselves. And you can’t fight a testing boss, nor can you get up and run away from them! Unless we consider methods to reduce, relieve and dissipate the stress we experience, we can experience discomfort in the form of headaches or backache for example, and it can lead to serious health conditions.

It is essential that we find ways to manage our stress levels and activate self-healing. Regular exercise, breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation are all strategies which can help. Another effective way in which we can alleviate stress and anxiety is through the pressure points in our body. Acupressure can be done by a professional but there are also ways to effectively self-administer.

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is a technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine which works similarly to acupuncture but without the needles. The same pressure points are manipulated with a massage-like pressure in order to influence Qi (energy) that flows through the energy pathways, or meridians, inside our body. Pressing hard on the following points and making small circular or up and down motions for a couple of minutes will give way to a release of built up pressure and also relieve symptoms of particular ailments such as; headache, migraine, eye blurriness, fatigue, low energy, cold/flu symptoms, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, stress and fatigue, lower back pain, high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, limb pain, insomnia, facial pain, toothaches, neck pain, and of course stress and anxiety.

Note: ‘cun’ is the measurement used to locate the points on the body; it is approximately one thumb width.

Tai Chong

On the top of the foot, along the webbing between the first and second toes, in the depression before the joint.

Yong Quan

On the sole of the foot, at the point of lighter and softer skin, approximately in line with the space between the second and third toes.

He Gu

On the back of the hand, at the apex of webbed triangle between the thumb and the index finger.

Nei Guan

On the front of the forearm, between the two tendons that run down the centre of the forearm, two cun from the wrist.

Jian Jing

On the top of the shoulder, halfway between the shoulder point and the base of the neck.

Tian Zhu

On the back of the neck, one cun from the base of the skull, on the rope-like muscle approximately one cun from the spine.

Zhong Fu

On the upper chest, six cun from the midline, in the space below the first rib.

Yin Tang

On the forehead, midway between the eyebrows, at the point of the third eye.

The information in this article is intended for educational use only; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the School of Natural Health Sciences; and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.