Discover Acupressure Points for Stress Relief
A few gentle pressure points for the days when your shoulders are tight and your mind won’t stop.
By Aisha MacInnis, R.Ac. | Honey and Grace Acupuncture
Some days, you don’t notice how wound up you are until your jaw aches, your shoulders are up around your ears, and one more “Mom!” feels like a lot.
You may not have an hour to yourself. But you might have a few quiet minutes while the kettle boils, before school pickup, or once the kids are tucked into bed.
Acupressure can be one small way to pause and give yourself a little care.
What is acupressure?
Acupressure is a form of massage used in Chinese medicine. You use your fingers to press or massage specific spots on the body—the same points we may work with during acupuncture, without the needles.
It may help you feel more settled and ease some tension. You don’t need to work through every point or turn it into another routine to keep up with. Start with one that feels comfortable, and notice how you feel.
Before you begin
Get comfortable and let your shoulders soften. Keep your breathing easy.
Use the pad of your thumb or finger. Apply steady, comfortable pressure or small, gentle circles.
Start lightly. You can gradually add pressure, but it should never feel sharp or painful. Use a lighter touch around your face and neck.
Spend a little time on one point. For Yin Tang and the hand and inner-forearm points, you can work up to 2–3 minutes if comfortable. Give yourself shorter pauses around the eyes and neck.
For points on both sides of the body, repeat on the other side if that feels good.
Skip broken, irritated, bruised, swollen, or infected skin. Ease off if you feel pain, tingling, numbness, or dizziness.
Pregnant? Skip LI 4 and GB 21 in this self-care guide, and ask your prenatal care provider or acupuncturist which points suit you.
Eight points to get to know
Think of this as a menu. Choose one or two—you don’t need to do all eight.
1. Yin Tang — a pause for a busy mind
Find it: The centre of your forehead between your eyebrows, above the bridge of your nose.
Try it: Rest a fingertip here and make small, comfortable circles. Let your face soften while you breathe naturally.
This is a lovely place to begin when you feel wound up and want a quiet moment.
2. BL 2 — soften a furrowed brow
Find it: The small hollow at the inner end of each eyebrow, close to the bridge of your nose.
Try it: With your eyes closed, gently massage the bony brow area with your fingertips. Keep pressure off your eyeballs.
Try it as a gentle brow massage when you notice you’ve been frowning or concentrating for a long stretch.
3. HT 7 — a gentle wrist pause
Find it: Turn your palm up. Find the wrist crease on the little-finger side, in the small hollow just toward the thumb from the firm tendon near that edge.
Try it: Support your wrist with your other hand and use your thumb for gentle pressure. Keep your hand relaxed, and stop if you feel tingling or numbness.
Known as Shen Men, or “Spirit Gate,” this point is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to help settle the mind.
4. PC 6 — a moment to settle
Find it: With your palm facing up, place three fingers across your inner forearm, starting at the wrist crease. The point sits just beyond those fingers, between the two central tendons.
Try it: Use your opposite thumb to apply comfortable pressure or small circles. Fingers are enough; you don’t need a pen or chopstick.
PC 6 is also commonly used for nausea. It may be a useful point to know when an unsettled stomach is part of your day.
5. LI 4 — a helping hand for tension
Find it: The fleshy area on the back of your hand between your thumb and index finger. Bring those fingers together to find the raised muscle, then relax your hand.
Try it: Use your other thumb to massage this area with comfortable pressure.
This point is commonly used for pain and headaches. Try it as part of a short pause when tension is building.
Pregnancy note: Skip this point if you’re pregnant.
6. LV 3 — bring your attention down to your feet
Find it: On top of your foot, slide back from the gap between the big toe and second toe until you find a hollow before the bones meet.
Try it: Support your foot and gently massage the hollow with your thumb.
LV 3 is traditionally used to encourage the smooth movement of Qi. In everyday terms, this can be an opportunity to take your socks off, get comfortable, and notice where you’re holding tension.
7. GB 20 — ease into a gentle neck massage
Find it: The hollows beneath the base of your skull, to either side of the thick muscles at the back of your neck.
Try it: Cradle the back of your head and use your thumbs for very light, comfortable pressure. Keep your neck relaxed; avoid digging deeply or pressing the front or sides of your neck.
Think gentle massage when the back of your neck feels tight. Stop if you feel dizzy, uncomfortable, or get a headache.
8. GB 21 — give your shoulders some attention
Find it: The top of the shoulder muscle, roughly halfway between the base of your neck and the outer edge of your shoulder.
Try it: Reach across with your opposite hand and gently squeeze or knead the muscle. Keep it comfortable rather than digging into a sore spot.
This is a practical place to notice whether your shoulders have crept up toward your ears—and let them drop.
Pregnancy note: Skip this point if you’re pregnant.
Make it fit into the day you’re actually having
You don’t need a quiet house, a perfect evening routine, or time to work through every point.
While the kettle boils: try Yin Tang and let your jaw soften.
After a long stretch at your desk: pause for a gentle brow or shoulder massage.
Before bed: choose one comfortable wrist point and put your phone down for a few minutes.
One point. A little pressure. A moment to notice what you need.
Would you like a little help?
If you’re not sure where a point is, bring this post to your next appointment. I can help you find it and show you how much pressure to use.
And if you’re tired of trying to manage all that tension on your own, you’re welcome to come in for care. We can talk about what’s wearing you down and whether acupuncture, cupping, or acupressure massage might fit your needs.
You deserve care, too. I’d love to welcome you into the clinic!
For this week, start small...
Choose one point that feels comfortable.
Give yourself a few easy breaths.
Leave the rest for another day.
Acupressure is a self-care option, not a replacement for medical or mental-health care. If stress, pain, or exhaustion is persistent or affecting your daily life, speak with your healthcare provider.
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