What is acupressure?
Acupressure is a massage therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body called acupoints, which are also known as meridian points. Forget needles and use your fingers and stimulate the flow of “qi” (life energy) and promote relaxation, pain relief, and overall well-being.
Attenion Please!
Acupressure may temporarily relieve symptoms of anxiety.
However, severe symptoms of anxiety that affect your daily life may require treatment from a healthcare or mental health professional.
in the meantime …. try these and see what happens.
Exercises … Anytime Anywhere – maybe just before bed!
You can find the Inner Frontier Gate point (Neiguan) on your arm, about three finger widths below your wrist.
Stimulating this point may help to reduce anxiety while also relieving nausea and pain.
To use this point:
- Turn one hand so your palm faces up.
- With your other hand, measure three fingers below your wrist. The point lies here, in the hollow between the tendons.
- Apply pressure to the point and massage for 4 to 5 seconds.
The Great Surge pressure point (Tai Chong) is on your foot, about two or three finger widths below the intersection of your big toe and second toe. The point lies in the hollow just above the bone.
This pressure point may help to reduce anxiety and stress. You can also use it to help relieve:
- pain
- insomnia
- menstrual cramps
To use this point:
- Find the point by moving your finger down straight down from between your first two toes.
- Apply firm, deep pressure to the point.
- Massage for 4 to 5 seconds.
You find the Union Valley pressure point (He Gu) in the webbing between your thumb and index finger.
Stimulating this point is said to reduce:
- stress
- headaches
- neck pain
Like the shoulder well point, it can also induce labor, so avoid this point if you’re pregnant.
To use this point:
- With your index finger and thumb, apply firm pressure to the webbing between the thumb and index finger of your other hand.
- Massage the pressure point for 4 to 5 seconds, taking slow, deep breaths.
The Shoulder Well point (Jian Jing) is in your shoulder muscle. Pinch your shoulder muscle with your middle finger and thumb to find it.
This pressure point is said to help relieve:
It can also induce labor, so don’t use this point if you’re pregnant.
To use this point:
- Find the point on your shoulder muscle.
- Pinch the muscle with your thumb and middle finger.
- Apply gentle, firm pressure with your index finger and massage the point for 4 to 5 seconds.
- Release the pinch as you massage the point.
The Heavenly Gate (Shen Men) point is located in the upper shell of your ear, at the tip of the triangle-like hollow.
Stimulating this point is said to help relieve:
To use this point:
- Locate the point in your ear. It might help to use a mirror.
- Apply firm, gentle pressure in a circular motion for 2 minutes.
The Hall of Impression point (also known as Yintang, the third eye, or Ajna chakra) lies between your eyebrows. Applying pressure to this point is said to help with both anxiety and stress.
To use this point:
- Sit comfortably. It can help to close your eyes.
- Touch the spot between your eyebrows with your index finger or thumb.
- Take slow, deep breaths and apply gentle, firm pressure in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes.
See a Doctor if
- feelings of depression
- thoughts of suicide
- panic attacks
- difficulty sleeping
- headaches
- digestive problems
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