Acupressure for Stress and a Wound-Up Mind: Points You Can Press Yourself

Acupressure is the part of TCM you can start tonight with no equipment. For stress and a wound-up mind, these are the points practitioners teach first.

The points, in order

• taichong: on the top of the foot, in the hollow between the first and second toes before the metatarsal bones meet
• shenmen: on the inner wrist crease, on the side of the little finger, in the hollow between the tendons
• yintang: right between the eyebrows

Technique

Use the pad of a thumb or a knuckle, press to clear comfortable soreness, and circle slowly for about a minute per point. Twice a day is the standard home rhythm. Soreness that melts as you keep pressing usually means you are in the right place.

What to expect

Acupressure is subtle. Changes build over days and weeks, not minutes, and it works best alongside the food and herb pieces of the plan rather than alone.

None of this replaces a practitioner who can look at your tongue, feel your pulse and ask awkward questions. Use this as background, not as a prescription.