Acupressure isn’t difficult
When you feel anxious, your mind keeps worrying and your body gets tense, doesn’t it? If you’ve cut back on caffeine, tried meditation, exercised, and still feel anxious, ‘acupressure’ that you’ll learn today might help. Acupressure is a very simple method that doesn’t require any special tools or techniques — anyone can do it with their fingers. And the good news is, you can start right now.
Important things to know before you start
1. Proper pressure is important — Press to the level where you think “Ah, this feels right.” If you experience pain, the pressure is too strong. 2. Don’t hold your breath — Breathe naturally — exhale while pressing and inhale while releasing. 3. Clean hands — Wash your hands thoroughly before starting. Make sure your nails are trimmed and clean. 4. Comfortable position — Start wherever is comfortable — whether sitting, lying down, or anywhere else.
Just remember these 3 points
First: Taichong (LR3)
How to find it: Look at the space between your big toe and second toe. Find the slight depression just below the base of the toes, right before where the metatarsals (the bones in your foot) meet. That’s Taichong. When you press with your finger, you’ll feel a tender sensation like “Ouch, this spot feels a bit sore.” That’s the right spot.
How to press it: Use your thumb or index finger to press slowly, then release. Press for about 3 seconds each time. Use enough pressure to feel relieved without pain — the ideal sensation is “Ah, this feels nice.” Do both feet.
Press this point when: You wake up feeling anxious, you’ve experienced stress at work, or you feel anxious before bed at night.
Second: Neiguan (PC6)
How to find it: Extend your wrist with your palm facing up. Look at the crease on your wrist (the wrist crease). Move up about 2 cun (roughly two thumb-widths) from that crease. In the middle of your forearm, in the depression between two long muscles (tendons), you’ll find Neiguan. You can find it by pressing with your thumb from the opposite hand.
How to press it: Use your thumb to press slowly while maintaining a pressure where you think “Hmm, this feels good.” Press for about 5 seconds each time. Do both arms. It might feel a bit unfamiliar at first, but after doing it a few times, you’ll find it easily and think “Ah, this is the spot.”
Press this point when: Anxiety interferes with digestion, your chest feels heavy or your heart is racing, or you want to calm your mind before a meeting or exam.
Third: Shenmen (HT7)
How to find it: Extend your wrist with your palm facing up, then look at the crease on your wrist again. Find the outermost point on your wrist (toward the pinky side) on that crease. Shenmen is at the end of the wrist crease, toward the pinky finger side. If you bend your wrist slightly, you’ll feel a small depression.
How to press it: Gently press with your thumb or index finger. Since Shenmen is a sensitive point, it’s fine to start with slightly lighter pressure than Neiguan or Taichong. Press for about 3-5 seconds each time, then release. Do both arms.
Press this point when: You’re trying to sleep at night but feel too anxious to fall asleep, anxiety suddenly overwhelms you, or you want to calm your mind.
Beginner 3-minute routine
Do this routine once a day, preferably in the morning or evening. Bedtime is best.
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1 (1 minute): Find and press Taichong on both feet. Repeat pressing and releasing 5-6 times on each foot, slowly.
Step 2 (1 minute): Find and press Neiguan on both arms. Repeat pressing and releasing 5-6 times on both arms, slowly.
Step 3 (1 minute): Find and press Shenmen on both arms. Repeat pressing and releasing 5-6 times on both arms, slowly.
Tip: You don’t have to follow this exact order. However, doing it in this sequence creates a natural flow moving upward from the feet.
3 common mistakes to avoid
1. Pressing too hard — Beginners often press hard thinking “I need to do it right for it to work,” and end up with bruises. Remember, the right level is where you think “Ah, this feels nice.” You shouldn’t experience pain.
2. Giving up after one try — While some people feel the benefits of acupressure right away, most need to do it consistently for several days to notice a difference. Try doing it daily for at least one week. After that, you’ll start to notice changes in your body.
3. Getting confused about the locations — At first, you might find it hard to distinguish between Taichong, Neiguan, and Shenmen. Try marking each spot with a sticker, or take photos and refer to them on your phone while practicing. After 3-4 repetitions, you’ll naturally remember them.
Moving to the next level
Once you’re comfortable with these 3 points and feel their benefits, here are some additional points you can try next.
• Sanyinjiao (SP6): Located 4 cun above the inner ankle. Good when you have anxiety along with menstrual pain or fatigue.
• Fengchi (GB20): The depression where the neck and shoulder meet. Helpful when you have neck tension along with anxiety.
But first, master these 3 points well before slowly adding one more point at a time.
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