Pressure Points for Anxiety - Psych Central 18 Sep 2024

Anxiety can disrupt your daily life, but pressure points for anxiety can help. Learn more about where these pressure points are and how they help ease your anxiety symptoms.

Anxiety affects most people occasionally, but some experience it more often. It can become severe and impact your daily life due to the long lasting symptoms. Some signs of anxiety include:

frequently feeling panicked, worried, or fearful - having a hard time concentrating - restlessness - feeling nauseous, having headaches, or experiencing digestive issues - trouble sleeping - fatigue or irritability - having muscle tension

Anxiety treatments may include medication and therapy combined, but other options are available, including acupressure. Acupressure for anxiety is a traditional Chinese medicine that involves stimulating pressure points to alleviate symptoms.

What pressure points relieve anxiety? 1. Shou san li point The Shou san li pressure point helps improve:

• general anxiety
• neck tightness
• shoulder pain
• diarrhea It does this by improving the energy flow to your large intestine. You can find this pressure point below your elbow by bending it 90 degrees and measuring two finger widths below the bend.

Shoulder well pressure point You can find the shoulder well pressure point by pinching your shoulder muscle between your thumb and finger.

You can ease stress, headaches, and muscle tension by applying firm but gentle pressure while massaging the area. It’s important to note that this pressure point can induce laborTrusted Source, so consider avoiding it if you’re expecting a baby.

Great surge point This pressure point is below the spot where your big toe and second toe intersect. You can find it by feeling in the area until you find the hollow spot above the bone.

Massaging this spot firmly for around 5 seconds can ease anxiety while also reducing insomnia, menstrual crampsTrusted Source, and pain.

Governor vessel pressure point The governor vessel pressure point is on the top of your head, right in the center.

Applying pressure to this area using small circular motions can help reduce anxiety and stress. It can also help ease dizziness and headaches and help stop you from clenching your jaw.

Heavenly gate point The heavenly gate pressure point is on the upper shell of the ear. You’ll find it at the time of the hollow area, and it can help reduce anxiety, insomnia, and stress.

Gently apply firm pressure while rotating your finger in a circular motion for at least 2 minutes.

Great abyss The great abyss pressure point is on your wrist just past your hand, on the side your thumb is on.

You’ll know you’ve found the right spot when you find a slight indent. Applying pressure to this point by massaging it in a circular motion can help reduce anxiety symptoms.

Union valley pressure point You’ll find the union valley (or Hegu) pressure point between your index finger and thumb in the webbing area. Applying pressure to this area can ease:

• anxiety
• stress
• headaches
• neck pain But applying pressure to the union valley pressure point can also induce labor.

To use the Union Valley pressure point for anxiety, you’ll apply pressure to the webbing using your opposite hand. Then, massage the area for about 5 seconds while breathing deeply and slowly.

Consider focusing on relaxing and paying attention to the sensation as your anxiety symptoms ease.

Shen Men point The Shen Men, also known as the spirit gate, pressure point is on your wrist, located at the outer wrist crease below your pinky, and can help relieve anxiety symptoms. It also helps with:

• pain
• inflammation
• mania
• insomnia When you feel stressed or anxious, massage that spot with your finger and thumb for a couple of minutes.

Hall of impression pressure point This pressure point is between your eyebrows, and you can easily apply pressure yourself at home. It’s called the hall of impression pressure point, but sometimes you may hear it called Yin Tang.

If you want to try it, you’ll start by sitting in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. Once you’re ready, touch the Hall of Impression pressure point with a finger or thumb.

Breathe slowly and deeply while pressing firmly and gently and moving your finger in a circular motion. Continue moving your finger at the spot between your eyebrows for 5 to 10 minutes.

Inner frontier gate point Your inner frontier gate pressure point is on your arm, near your wrist. You can find it by measuring three finger widths from your wrist and finding the hollow spot between your tendons.

If you want to use this pressure point for anxiety, you’ll want to rotate your hand so your palm is facing upward. Applying firm but gentle pressure to the area can help ease anxiety, nausea, and pain.

How does acupressure work help relieve anxiety? Acupressure for anxiety relief is a type of massage that can help ease symptoms of anxiety. It eases anxious feelings for patients before a medical procedure or other stressful situation. One study from 2018Trusted Source shows that it also reduces anxiety and stress for those receiving fertility treatments.

Acupressure can help improve your blood flow and relax your muscles. These benefits help reduce anxiety symptoms and also effectively ease stressTrusted Source.

Link

Share