Anxiety is a typical human emotion characterised by feelings of uneasiness, dreadfulness, and worry, which can cause physical symptoms such as restlessness, muscular tightness, difficulty concentrating, and exhaustion. It can manifest in a variety of ways, affecting both mental and physical well-being. While it is a natural aspect of life, severe or extended anxiety may be crippling and impair everyday functioning. Anxiety can interfere with your everyday life, but pressure points for anxiety can be a solution. Most individuals feel anxious oftentimes and suffer from it regularly. It can grow severely and interfere with your everyday life, resulting in long-term symptoms. Some symptoms of anxiety include:
- Frequently experiencing the emotions of panic, worry, or terror.
- difficulty concentrating or restlessness.
- difficulty sleeping, tiredness, or irritation.
- Feeling queasy, headaches, or stomach problems
- Having muscular tension
It is a common ailment that may substantially impact day-to-day life, but alternative treatments, such as acupressure, may help reduce symptoms. Acupressure, a traditional Chinese medical method, involves stimulating certain pressure points of the body to encourage relaxation and reduce anxiety. Understanding the essential pressure spots for anxiety reduction can be an effective strategy for treating the illness.
Read More: Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes and Intervention
Discover 6 pressure points that might help relieve Anxiety
1. Hall of Impression Point
The hall of impact point is located between our eyebrows. Applying pressure to this spot is believed to alleviate both anxiety and tension.
2. Heavenly Gate Point
The heavenly gate point is positioned in the upper shell of your ear, near the tip of the triangle-shaped cavity. Stimulating this spot is claimed to ease your anxiety, stress, and sleeplessness.
Use this point
- Locate the point in your ear.
- Use strong, moderate pressure in a circular motion for two minutes.
3. Shoulder WellPoint
The shoulder well point is located near your shoulder muscle. Pinch your shoulder muscles with your middle finger and thumb. This pressure point is said to relieve stress, muscular tension, and headaches. It may also cause labour, so avoid using this point if you are pregnant.
Use this point
- Locate this point on your shoulder muscle.
- Release the pinch while massaging the spot.
- Pinch the muscle between your thumb and middle finger.
- Massage the spot for four to five seconds with soft, firm pressure from your index finger.
4. Union Valley Point
This pressure point is located in the area between your thumb and index finger. Stimulating this spot is supposed to relieve tension, headaches, and neck discomfort. It, like the shoulder well point, has the potential to induce labour, therefore avoid it if you are pregnant.
Use this point
- Massage the pressure spot for four to five seconds while taking calm, deep breaths.
- Firmly push your index finger and thumb into the area between your other hand’s thumb and index finger.
5. Great Surge Point
The great surge pressure point is located on your foot, approximately two or three finger widths below the juncture of your large and second toes. The tip is in the cavity immediately above the bone. This pressure point may assist in alleviating anxiety and tension. You can use it to treat pain, sleeplessness, and menstrual cramps.
Use this point:
- Massage for 4-5 seconds.
- Apply hard, deep pressure to the spot.
- Locate the tip by sliding your finger straight down from between your first two toes.
6. Inner Boundary Gate Point
The inner frontier gate point is located on your arm, approximately three finger widths below your wrist. Stimulating this area may lessen anxiety while also alleviating nausea and discomfort.
Use this point
- Turn one hand so that the palm faces up.
- Use your other hand to measure three fingers below your wrist. The point is located here, in the valley between the tendons.
Does Acupressure for Anxiety be effective?
Acupressure has been utilized for thousands of years to heal both physical and mental illnesses. However, little scientific research has demonstrated the efficacy of acupressure on anxiety treatment. The studies that have been undertaken show encouraging outcomes. A 2015 study of hospitalized cancer patients discovered that acupressure therapy helped lessen their anxiety throughout treatment.
Another study conducted in 2015 found that acupressure reduced anxiety in individuals before undergoing a medical treatment, such as surgery. In a 2016 research, individuals with severe menstruation pain had less anxiety after stimulating the Great Surge (LV 3) pressure point. Many people report that acupressure helped them overcome it. Acupressure offers brief relief, but you can continue to self-massage pressure points throughout the day to maintain its effectiveness.
Read More: 10 Best Therapy Dogs for Depression and Anxiety
Other Strategies for Reducing Anxiety
While acupressure may assist some people with stress, experts have rigorously studied several different therapies. Some techniques that might assist are:
- Therapy: Therapy can assist a person in developing effective skills for managing anxiety, limiting automatic negative thoughts, and dealing with trauma. The state board of health may validate the status of all licensed therapists in a certain state.
- Medication: Some people may find that drugs are beneficial. Fast-acting anti-anxiety drugs can alleviate panic symptoms, whilst antidepressants may benefit patients suffering from persistent anxiety and depression-related anxiety.
- Alternative medicine: In addition to acupressure, some patients get comfort with massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic therapy. People should seek a practitioner who is licensed in their jurisdiction.
Read More: Productivity Anxiety Decoded: Reasons, Symptoms, Overcoming
When to Seek Help
While alternative and home treatments might help alleviate stress, prolonged anxiety can be crippling. It is also very curable. A person should see a doctor if
- Home or alternative therapies are ineffective.
- Someone has suicidal or self-harming thoughts.
- Anxiety is continuous or severe enough to interfere with everyday living.
- If therapy fails to provide relief, drugs may have negative effects or fail to act.
Read More: Overwhelmed by Anxiety? Effective Coping Methods to Try
Outlook
It can be a little irritation or a persistent medical problem. People with anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), may experience anxiety throughout time. Although this might be upsetting, it is treatable. To achieve the finest outcomes, a person might consult with a reputable medical expert and try out several therapy alternatives.
It might feel overpowering and insurmountable. However, with the proper therapy, a person can overcome their fears. They can consult with a medical or mental health expert about treatment choices.
References +
- Fletcher, J. (2019, March 13). Hand pressure points: Everything you need to know. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324699
- Cash, K. (2022, July 26). 10 pressure points for anxiety relief. Kanjo. https://gokanjo.com/blogs/your-life-relieved/pressure-points-for-anxiety-relief
- Watson, K. (2018, September 29). Can Acupuncture Help with Anxiety? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/acupuncture-for-anxiety#risk-and-side-effects
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