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Acupressure Points for Instant Stress Relief at Home

by | Sep 11, 2025 | News

Relieve Wrist Pain with Acupressure: How TCM Helps in Pain Management

Stress has become an unwelcome companion for many of us. Whether it’s the pressure of demanding jobs, financial uncertainties, family responsibilities, or the constant news cycle, stress seeps into our daily lives, often leaving us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. In fact, nearly 40% of Americans report feeling overwhelmed by stress, showing how serious the problem has become with today’s economic and social pressures.

But here’s the thing: You don’t always need expensive gadgets or medications for relief. Acupressure, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers a simple, at-home solution for instant stress reduction.

In this blog, we’ll dive into what acupressure is, explore key points for stress relief, and provide step-by-step tips on how to apply them.

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is a non-invasive therapy that involves applying firm pressure to specific points on the body, known as acupoints, to stimulate energy flow or “qi”.

Unlike acupuncture, which uses needles, acupressure relies on your fingers, thumbs, or even elbows, making it ideal for self-treatment at home.

This practice has been used for thousands of years to address various ailments, including stress, anxiety, pain, and fatigue.

Why does acupressure work for stress?

In the U.S., where 80% of adults experience emotions tied to prolonged stress and 52% in a 2025 mental health poll reported feeling anxious about stress itself, acupressure offers a simple, evidence-based alternative for relief.

Acupressure activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which counters the “fight or flight” response triggered by stressors. Through targeting pressure points, acupressure signals the body to relax, slow the heart rate, and improve circulation.

By doing so, studies show it can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with chronic stress, leading to immediate relaxation and a calmer state of mind.

Key Acupressure Points for Instant Stress Relief

Here are five easy-to-locate points, with their respective naming conventions, that you can use anytime you feel overwhelmed.

Remember: Apply firm but comfortable pressure for 30 seconds up to 3 minutes while taking slow, deep breaths.

Yin Tang (Extra-1)

1. Yin Tang (Extra-1)

Location

Directly between the eyebrows, at the midline of the forehead, in the slight indentation above the bridge of the nose.

Visualization

Using your index or middle finger, apply gentle, steady pressure to this point. You can press for 1–2 minutes or make small circular motions while breathing slowly and deeply. Keep your focus on the sensation at the point as you relax your body.

Purpose

Calms the mind, reduces anxiety, and promotes relaxation.

Hegu (LI4)

2. Hegu (LI4)

Location

On the back of the hand, in the fleshy webbing between the thumb and index finger, find the highest point of the muscle when you press your thumb and index finger together.

Visualization

Squeeze your thumb against your index finger, and look for the fleshy, slightly raised area in the webbing. It’s roughly halfway between the base of the thumb and the index finger’s knuckle.

Purpose

Relieves headaches, tension, and general pain.

Note: Avoid pressing this point during pregnancy, as it may stimulate contractions.

Tai Chong (Liver 3)

3. Tai Chong (Liver 3)

Location

On the top of the foot, about two finger-widths (your fingers) up from the web between the big toe and second toe, in a slight depression.

Visualization

Slide your finger up from the space between your big toe and second toe until you feel a slight dip or tender spot, usually about 1.5–2 inches up.

Purpose

Eases frustration, irritability, and stress, and supports liver function.
Shenmen (Heart 7)

4. Shenmen (Heart 7)

Location

On the inner wrist, along the crease closest to the hand, in a small depression just below the pinky finger side (near the pisiform bone).

Visualization

Look at the inside of your wrist, find the crease where your hand meets your arm, and move toward the pinky side until you feel a small hollow under the bone.

Purpose

Soothes emotional stress, anxiety, and insomnia, often called the “Spirit Gate” for its calming effects.
Jian Jing (GB-21)

5. Jian Jing (GB-21)

Location

On the shoulder, halfway between the base of your neck (where the spine meets the neck) and the tip of your shoulder (acromion process). It’s often a tender spot.

Visualization

Imagine a line from the base of your neck to the outer edge of your shoulder. Press around the midpoint to find a sore or sensitive area in the muscle.

Purpose

Relieves shoulder and neck tension, especially from prolonged sitting or desk work.

*These illustrations were created with the help of AI to guide you in practicing acupressure at home.

How to Practice Acupressure Safely at Home

By stimulating specific points we’ve listed above, you can ease stress, calm the mind, and restore energy, right from the comfort of your home.

Here are a few tips to get started:

Create a calm environment. A quiet room or even your balcony with ocean air can help.

Use steady or circular pressure. Hold each point for 30 seconds to up to 3 minutes.

Pair with deep breathing. Inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6.

Try acupressure mats or rollers. Research shows these can enhance stress relief.

Listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain or discomfort.

Note: For most people, acupressure is safe. But if you have chronic health conditions or are pregnant, check with your doctor first.

Acupressure is simple, safe, and empowering, but sometimes, stress or imbalances run deeper than what self-care can fully resolve. That’s when acupuncture becomes an excellent next step.

When to Consider Acupuncture

For Miami Herbs’ licensed acupuncturist and TCM practitioner, Dr. Carolyn Cook, while acupressure is excellent for everyday relief, sometimes stress runs deeper, whether from chronic anxiety, recurring tension, or physical symptoms that won’t go away. That’s when acupuncture may be the better choice.

Acupuncture uses the same acupoints but involves fine needles applied by a licensed practitioner. This allows for more precise stimulation and longer-lasting effects, making it especially helpful for:

Chronic stress and anxiety
Insomnia or poor sleep quality
Persistent muscle tightness
Overall energy balance
If you find yourself relying on acupressure frequently without lasting improvement, acupuncture may offer the extra support your body needs. Together, the two practices form a powerful stress-management toolkit.

Unlock a Stress-free Body with Miami Herbs

By blending self-care practices like acupressure with professional support from acupuncture, you can build a wellness routine that promotes lasting calm, natural healing, and a stress-free lifestyle.

At Miami Herbs, Dr. Cook offers professional and customized acupuncture treatments designed to complement your at-home acupressure practice. Many of our clients begin with simple techniques like acupressure, then visit us for deeper, more targeted relief that restores balance and promotes lasting calm.

“I would highly recommend Dr. Carolyn. She is an amazing and very thorough acupuncturist. She has been treating me for a tendinitis foot problem along with herbs to help me with anxiety, sleep, hormones, etc. She also does cupping and is a very patient and caring doctor. If you’re looking for a very educated and caring acupuncturist, this is the place!”

Whether you’re managing daily pressures, recovering from pain, or simply seeking more balance, Miami Herbs is here to help you feel your best, at home and beyond

Sources

America’s 2025 Stress Crisis; Lifted from
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/america-s-2025-stress-crisis-why-nearly-40-are-hitting-their-limit/ar-AA1qIosx

Annual Mental Health Poll; Lifted from
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/annual-mental-health-poll-2025

What Is Acupuncture?; Lifted from
https://miamiherbs.com/services/acupuncture-miami/

Pressure Points for Anxiety; Lifted from
https://www.healthline.com/health/pressure-points-for-anxiety

Pressure Points for Stress Relief; Lifted from
https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2023/08/07/pressure-points-for-stress-relief

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