Pressure points for anxiety relief
- Padme Grace
- Feb 24, 2024
- 2 min read
There are various pressure points that some people find helpful for relieving anxiety.
What are pressure points?
Pressure points are specific areas on the body that are believed to be particularly sensitive to pressure or stimulation. These points are thought to be connected to various physiological and psychological functions. In traditional Chinese medicine, for example, the concept of pressure points is closely tied to the flow of energy or life force called "qi" or "chi" through the body's meridians.
The idea is that applying pressure, massage, or stimulation to these points can influence the flow of energy, promote healing, and provide relief from various ailments. Pressure points are commonly used in practices such as acupuncture, acupressure, and reflexology.
Acupressure involves using fingers or other tools to apply pressure to specific points on the body, while acupuncture uses thin needles to stimulate these points. Reflexology focuses on pressure points on the feet, hands, and ears, with the belief that these areas correspond to specific organs and systems in the body.
Here are a few pressure points that people often try for anxiety:
Hegu (LI4): Located between the thumb and forefinger, applying pressure to this point may help with stress and tension.
Neiguan (PC6): This point is on the inner side of the forearm, approximately two and a half finger-widths above the wrist crease. It's believed to help with anxiety and nausea.
Sanyinjiao (SP6): Situated above the ankle, on the inner side of the leg, about four finger-widths above the ankle bone. This point is associated with calming the mind and reducing anxiety.
Yintang (EX-HN3): Located between the eyebrows on the forehead, it's often called the "third eye" point and is believed to help with calming the mind.
Shenmen (HT7): On the wrist, at the crease where the hand meets the arm. It's thought to have a calming effect and is associated with reducing stress.
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