DIY Acupressure for Anxiety
Anxiety-fighting Secrets from the Acupuncture Playbook
These days, when I ask patients at my Oakland acupuncture office what kind of support they are looking for, almost everyone mentions “stress” as having a major impact on their quality of life. In Chinese medicine, we take a holistic approach to wellness, which means that mental and emotional health is as much a part of treatment as physical wellness. Anxiety, irritability, stress, existential despair–everyone is feeling it right now, and for good reason, am I right?
Whether anxiety support is your primary concern, or whether you’re coming in to see me for neck tension or back pain–extensive scientific research tells us that acupuncture shifts the nervous system out of fight or flight mode (the sympathetic nervous system) and into rest and digest mode (the parasympathetic nervous system). Depending on your background, health history, and constitution, I choose a set of acupuncture points (and prescribe herbal medicines) that are tailored to you.
Because we all need to keep our strength up–I want to share three acupoint locations that you can use as needed for at-home (or at-work) acupressure self-care.
1) Yintang: This is located right between the two eyebrows, where many traditional cultures describe the “third eye” as being located. This point has a very calming function, good for both anxiety and insomnia. (I also treat animals with acupuncture in addition to humans, and have found that pretty much any creature with two eyes enjoys being rubbed in this spot! It’s very soothing.)
2) Governing Vessel 20 (also called Baihui or “Hundred Meetings”): This point is located at the very top of the head, on your midline. Stand up straight and look for the highest point on the center of your head–that’s Governing Vessel 20. This point has several different functions in Chinese medicine, including calming the spirit. Because of its location, it is said to have a close relationship with the brain. And because a pathway of the channel this point lies on runs through the heart, it is also said to have a close relationship with the heart. Chinese medicine students will often be seen tapping on this point before an exam, because it is said to bring clear energy to the head!
3) Pericardium 6 (also called Neiguan or “Inner Pass”): This point is located on the inside of your forearm. In most people, two tendons can be seen and felt beginning at the inner crease of your wrist and running up the forearm (the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radiallis). Measure three finger widths up from the crease of your wrist, and find the point located there between the two tendons–that’s Pericardium 6.
Pericardium 6 is a heavy hitter pressure point for anxiety, insomnia, agitation, and even heart palpitations. It is used to treat a wide range of emotional disorders in Chinese medicine. Consider that, anatomically, the pericardium is a sac that surrounds and protects the heart. In Chinese medicine, treating this point on the Pericardium channel is also considered a way of providing a type of emotional protection to the heart.
Acupressure How-To
For all points, gentle pressure with a fingertip for a few minutes, while taking deep breaths, is a way to give yourself a quick anti-anxiety treatment. You can also make small circles with your fingertip, or even tap on the points–I especially like gentle tapping on Yintang and Governing Vessel 20.
Self-Care Support for Holistic Wellness
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Dr. Lisa Franzetta is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist practicing in Oakland, California. She is here in solidarity to help you manage stress and stay strong for yourself and your community.