Acupressure Points to help you manage stress and reduce anxiety

Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay healthy. Stress can wreak havoc to our health and immune systems, especially in these challenging times. It’s not something you can control; a button that you can turn on and off...or is there?

Acupressure. An ancient Chinese practice which involves stimulating certain pressure points with the fingertips, has been shown to help manage pain, reduce stress and relieve anxiety.

There are a number of pressure points throughout the body associated with stress relief. Here we are sharing 7 key ones which can be easily accessed. 

Similar to pressing a button, our resident GingerChi acupuncturist, Viven Eng (M.Ac., LAc, Dipl. Ac.) recommends applying firm pressure to one or several of these points for 4-5 seconds, depending on what works best for you, while taking in a few slow deep breaths.

 

 7 key Acupressure Points for Stress Relief.

Find this pressure point in the webbing between your thumb and index finger and massage it for four to five seconds while taking a few slow breaths. Do as many times as needed and switch hands. This pressure point is also useful for headaches, toothaches, facial pain or neck pain.

 

2. JIAN JING

On both hands, curve 4 fingers into a cup shape. Crossing your arms in front, place the cupped fingers on the shoulders over the point on either side. Place your thumb directly on the opposite side and give it a tight squeeze. When massaging someone else, use the thumb on the point on the shoulder and the four fingers on the opposite side. Apply firm pressure and hold for four to five seconds, taking long deep breaths, releasing tension.

 

3.TAI CHONG

To find this point, put your index finger between your big toe and second toe and slide up until you feel the “V” junction in the hollow between the bones. Apply firm pressure using your thumb and hold for four to five seconds taking a few deep breaths. Do both feet and as many as times as needed.

 

 4. FENG CHI

This point lies right at the base of the skull, at the top of the back of the neck, in the soft depressions just lateral to the thick tendons of the trapezius muscle. Using your thumbs, follow the mastoid (ear) bone down the groove back to where the neck muscles attach to the skull and apply pressure. Hold for four and five seconds, taking in a few deep breaths. Repeat as needed. This acupressure point is particularly useful for stress, headache, migraine, eye blurriness, fatigue, low energy and cold/flu symptoms.

 

5.YINTANG

This point lies between your eyebrows. Sit in a comfortable position and using your index finger or thumb, massage this point with your eyes closed. Take slow, deep breaths and apply gentle, firm pressure in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes. Do as many times as needed.

 

6. SHEN MEN

This point is located in the upper shell of your ear, at the tip of the triangle-like hollow there. Hold the top of the ear between the thumbs and forefingers around the area where the point is located. Massage using small circular, pulling motions for 2 minutes. This helps to relieve anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

 

7. NEI GUAN

Turning the palms up, find this point on your arm, three finger widths below your wrist between the tendons. Use your thumb to apply pressure and hold for four to five second, taking a few deep breaths. This point helps reduce anxiety and  relieve feelings of nausea. Do this as many times as needed and repeat procedure on the other wrist.

 

We hope these series of exercises can help you in these difficult times. You can always refer to these points for many other issues besides stress - headaches, insomnia, indigestion and fatigue are just a few. GingerChi Natural Stone Tools like the Guasha, the original 'scraping' tool, either heated or chilled can also be implemented to boost the acupressure benefits. 

To helps soothe muscle pain, tension, fatigue and headaches, our GingerChi All Purpose Healing Massage Oil with Fresh Ginger, Plai  (from the Ginger family), Rosemary, Lavender, German Chamomile and other healing oils, can be massaged into the points. 

In addition, the GingerChi Stress Relief and GingerChi Energy Chi Boost, can be applied to points to help sooth the spirit and calm the nerves. Made with lavender, lemon, sweet orange and rosewood - studies have shown these essential oils can stimulate areas of the brain responsible for our emotions, helping us to alleviate stress, insomnia and/or depression.

 

 

We will continue to share more ways to help you find balance and remain healthy. In the meantime be well, stay grounded, and stay safe.

With love and good Chi,
Anna