Acupressure To relieve anxiety is quickly becoming an essential part of our self-care-at-home tool kit during these uncertain, stressful times. The simple, focused technique, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, uses massage to stimulate the nervous system for a specific therapeutic response. Staying calm and keeping immunity up is the kind of response that’s on our minds right now.

NYC Acupuncturist and master healer, Dr. Robert MacDonald, DAc, LAc. LMTof Area 25 created a simple at-home acupressure chart to address our current concerns. We love how simply stimulating acupuncture points not only reduces stress and supports immunity, but also promotes general wellness.

Wellbeing At Home: How To Perform Acupressure

As you experiment with these points, close your eyes, breathe into the sensation, and notice how your body responds.  Feel free to activate these points as often as you’d like and create your own combinations.

Yin Tang, Third Eye
+ reduces stress
+ calms the spirit
+ eases the body

Location:
This point is located slightly above the eyebrow line, between your eyebrows. Using your finger, follow the bridge of the nose upward until you find the hollow space between your eyebrows.

How to activate:
Using your index finger, lightly and rapidly tap this point for 60 seconds. When you’re finished, you will notice that you continue to feel the point for quite a while afterwards.

Shen Men, Spirit Gate
+ calms the mind
+ relaxes the body
+ relieves pain

Location:
This point is near the top of your ear. Use your thumbs to find the flat triangular surface in the top area of each ear.  Then, wrap your index finger behind your ear so you’re able to squeeze the front and back of your ear.

How to activate:
Massage the point in a circular motion for 30 seconds. We recommend massaging both ears simultaneously. Repeat 2-3 times.

Large Intestine 4, Joining Valley
+ strengthens immunity
+ releases pathogens
+ improves circulation

Location:
This point is found at the highest point of the muscle in the webbing between your thumb and index finger. Squeeze this muscle with your other hand by placing your thumb on top of the muscle and your index finger under the muscle on your palm.

How to activate:
Massage the point in a circular motion for 30 seconds using your thumb. Repeat 3-4 times.

Pericardium 6, Inner Pass
+ reduces stress
+ regulates energy
+ reduces nausea

Location:
This point is found at the center of the inside of your wrist, between the two tendons. Measure three fingers (~1.5 inches) down from the crease of your wrist. Place your thumb on the inside of your write and wrap your index finger around your wrist.

How to activate:
Using your thumb, slowly press down on this point, hold for a few seconds, then slowly release.  The entire cycle should be ~10-15 seconds.  Repeat 4-5 times.

Stomach 36, Leg Three Mile
+ strengthens immunity
+ increases energy
+ provides grounding

Location:
This point is below your knee cap, to the outside of your shin bone. It is approximately four fingers below your kneecap.

How to activate:
Sit on the edge of a chair and place your feet firmly on the ground. Lightly bang the point like a drum with your fist on both legs for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-4 times.

Liver 3, Great Rushing
+ calms the nervous system
+ stabilizes mood
+ improves circulation

Location:
This point is found on the top of the foot, in the webbing between the first & second toes.  Place your index finger at the junction of the toe & foot, approximately 1 inch inward.

How to activate:
Using your thumb or index finger, massage this point in a downward motion for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-4 times.