5 Acupoints for Anxiety — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

Introduction

Sudden anxiety, restlessness that disrupts your sleep, uncomfortable feelings in daily life… these are anxiety symptoms that any modern person experiences. Before relying on medications, try acupressure on acupoints from traditional medicine to regulate your body’s energy flow. This article introduces self-acupressure methods that you can practice anytime, anywhere without professional help.

5 Effective Acupoints for Anxiety

1. Taichong (太衝) — LR3

Location: On the top of the foot, in the depression below where the bones of the big toe and second toe meet. It is located in the depression in front of the metatarsal junction.

Benefits: In traditional medicine, this is an important acupoint for regulating the liver’s energy flow. Since the liver is closely related to emotional regulation, it helps manage anxiety and relieves tension caused by stress. It also reduces heat sensations in the head and promotes sleep.

Application method: Sit in a comfortable position, extend your feet, and apply pressure using your thumbs on both hands, pressing slowly for 3-5 seconds each. Repeat 10 times on each foot, but instead of pressing so hard that it causes pain, use deep and sustained pressure. Practicing 3 times a day is most effective.

2. Inner Gate (內關) — PC6

Location: About 2 cun (approximately two finger-widths) above the inner wrist crease toward the arm. It is located in the depression between two tendons on the central front of the forearm.

Benefits: This acupoint directly affects the heart and anxiety symptoms, and is an excellent point for stabilizing the mind and body. It nourishes the heart’s vital energy, rapidly relieves anxiety, and also improves nausea and digestive discomfort. It is widely used for motion sickness and post-operative anxiety.

Application method: Using one hand’s thumb, slowly press the inner gate point on the other arm, maintaining pressure for 3-5 seconds. Perform 10-15 times on each arm, 2-3 times a day. When you feel anxious during commute or work, immediate acupressure releases tension.

3. Spirit Gate (神門) — HT7

Location: At the innermost part of the inner wrist crease, in the depression beside the ulna (the bone on the pinky finger side). You can find it by following the inner wrist crease toward the pinky finger.

Benefits: This acupoint stabilizes the spirit (mind) and clarifies consciousness. It is effective for all mind and spirit-related symptoms including anxiety, panic symptoms, insomnia, and forgetfulness. It also excels at recovering from fatigue caused by nervousness or excessive stress.

Application method: Use the thumb of the opposite hand to locate and slowly press the spirit gate point. Repeat the pressing action 10 times, 3-4 times a day, for 3-5 seconds each. In particular, acupressure 30 minutes before bedtime improves sleep quality. It is important to maintain gentle pressure even if you feel stimulation.

4. Chest Center (膻中) — CV17

Location: At the center of the chest, at the midpoint of an imaginary line connecting both nipples. It is located between the 4th ribs (between the fourth rib spaces) on the sternum.

Benefits: It opens blockages in the chest’s vital energy, relieves feelings of stuffiness, and facilitates breathing. It rapidly alleviates chest tightness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations caused by anxiety. It also promotes emotional expression and helps relieve stress.

Application method: Stack the middle fingers of both hands and press vertically down on the center of the chest. Maintain gentle pressure for 5-10 seconds while taking 3-5 deep, slow breaths. Practice 1-2 times daily, and when you feel anxious, immediate acupressure relieves tightness. Avoid excessive stimulation.

5. Hall of Impression (印堂) — EX-HN3

Location: At the point where the inner ends of both eyebrows meet, at the center between the eyebrows. You can feel the depression by placing your finger between the eyebrows and pressing slightly.

Benefits: As a place where vital energy and blood of the forehead converge, it calms the mind and enhances concentration. It alleviates headaches, migraines, and tension headaches caused by anxiety, and improves mental fatigue and scattered thoughts. It induces deep breathing and stabilizes the nervous system.

Application method: Using the thumbs of both hands, gently press the space between the eyebrows while massaging in small circular motions. Apply pressure with gentle force for 1-2 minutes. Pressing too hard may worsen headaches, so gentle stimulation is best. Perform once in the morning upon waking and once before bed in the evening.

5-Minute Self-Care Routine

This is the most practical method for managing anxiety in your busy daily life. Spend 5 minutes in the morning applying pressure to each acupoint for 30 seconds in this order: Taichong → Inner Gate → Spirit Gate → Chest Center → Hall of Impression. By repeating this routine every morning and evening, your body’s energy flow stabilizes and anxiety symptoms gradually ease. In particular, when facing important tasks and feeling nervous, it is effective to first apply pressure to the Inner Gate and Spirit Gate points to calm your mind and body before beginning. With consistent practice for 3 weeks or more, your body’s response to anxiety will improve noticeably.