Acupressure: The most important acupressure points at a glance

How effective is acupressure?

Acupressure can generally reduce stress and tension. However, it can also help support the treatment of certain pains - such as (severe) menstrual pain. 

The effectiveness of self-healing with acupressure in this case has also been researched by Charité. "After three months in the [research group], 37 percent of the participants achieved a fifty percent reduction in pain. After six months, it was even more than half, at 58 percent." 

Generally, acupressure has no negative side effects. However, you should always listen to your body and follow these tips and advice:

• For example, reduce the pressure in case of pain and discomfort.
• Leave out acupressure points on open or inflamed areas.
• Acupressure while you are expecting a baby is not recommended. Why? We will tell you in this article about "Acupressure and pregnancy".

You can massage the acupressure points with your thumbs, fingertips, elbows or knees. However, there are also various aids to make it easier for you to apply and stimulate the acupressure points. On the one hand, there are special plasters that are stuck over the points to activate the skin and the acupressure point underneath - without needles or damaging the skin. Acupressure sticks, massage rollers or acupressure mats also support you in self-treatment with one of the oldest healing methods in the world. 

All information about the ShaktiMat acupressure mat can be found on this page. Here we explain everything - from how to use the mat with yoga or in connection with sport, let other users tell you about their experiences and answer all your questions about the product. Try it out for yourself! 

The ear is a particularly exciting field of acupressure, as numerous nerve pathways converge here, which are connected to the entire body. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has long been regarded as a "microsystem" that can relieve tension and pain throughout the body through targeted pressure. All three energy points on the ear are particularly suitable for treating earache and hearing problems, a feeling of pressure in the ear, jaw joint problems, toothache and headaches.

• Ear gate (DW 21)
• Place of listening (Du 19)
• Unification of hearing (GB 2) 
  

Acupressure points for headaches, on the head and face 

Headaches are one of the most common complaints that plague us - be it due to stress, tension, eye strain or changes in the weather. Acupressure offers a simple and natural method of finding relief without medication. The points on the head and face are particularly versatile: they can help with forehead pain and tension headaches as well as migraines, hay fever or even digestive problems. Inner restlessness and dizziness can also be positively influenced by stimulating certain points.

• Gates of Consciousness (GB 20) - for arthritis, headaches, dizziness, stiff neck, neck pain, motor coordination problems, eye strain and irritability
• Windvilla (LG 16) - for pain in the eyes, ears, nose, throat; for mental problems, headaches, dizziness and stiff neck
• Bamboo drilling (B 2) - for eye and headaches, hay fever, eye fatigue and sinus pain
• Point of the third eye (LG 24.5) - for hay fever, headaches, indigestion, stomach ulcer pain and acupressure for strained eyes
• Beauty of the face (Ma 3) - for tired and strained eyes and eye pressure, congestion in the nose and head and toothache
• Connection with the valley (Hegu)(Di 4) - for frontal headaches, toothache, shoulder pain and labor pains
  

Acupressure points on the back and sciatica 

The back is a central area of tension in our body - this is where stress, pain caused by poor posture and muscular overload accumulate. The small of the back and the sciatic nerve in particular can cause severe pain when blocked. Acupressure points on the back not only help to relax the muscles, but also support blood circulation and energy supply along the spine. They can help to relieve low back pain, reduce sciatica and restore more mobility.

• Sea of Vitality (B 23 and B 47) - for low back pain, sciatica and fatigue associated with pain
• Genital point (B 48) - for low back pain, sciatica, tension in the pelvic area, hip pain and tension
• Sea of energy (EG 6) - for low back weakness and to prevent many back problems
• Commanding center (B 45) - back pain, sciatica, knee and low back pain, arthritis in knees, low back and hips
  

Acupressure points on the hand and wrist

Our hands are in daily use - whether at the computer, in the household or during sport. So it's no surprise that problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and aching joints are becoming increasingly common. However, targeted stimulation of pressure points can gently alleviate hand and wrist problems. Certain points in the hand are also effective against nausea, anxiety and stress. This makes them practical helpers in everyday life.

• Inner gate (P 6) - for nausea, anxiety and wrist pain
• Large hill (P 7) - for wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatism and wrist tendinitis
• Outer gate (DW 5) - for rheumatism, tendinitis, wrist pain and to increase resistance to colds
• Active pond (DW 4) - for wrist tendinitis and rheumatism, pain when gripping, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain as well as for strengthening the wrist
  

Acupressure points on the neck

A tense neck is a constant companion for many - whether it's due to hours of sitting, stress or an unfavorable sleeping position. Acupressure of certain points in this area can help to relieve this tension and clear the mind. They are effective for neck stiffness, headaches, dizziness and exhaustion, among other things, and specifically promote blood circulation, which can also prevent complaints in the long term.

• Shoulder spring (GB 21) - for a stiff neck, irritability, tension in the shoulder girdle and circulatory problems
• Heavenly Pillar (B 10) - for stress, exhaustion, a stiff throat and a sore throat
• Gates of Consciousness (GB 20) - for arthritis, headaches, dizziness, stiff neck, neck pain, motor coordination problems, eye strain and irritability
• Sky window (DW 16) - for a stiff neck, tension and pain in the shoulder girdle and headaches
• Windvilla (LG 16) - for pain in the eyes, ears, nose, throat; for mental problems, headaches, dizziness and stiff neck
• Bamboo drilling (B 2) - for eye and headaches, hay fever, eye fatigue and sinus pain
  

Well, have you found one or two acupressure points that should help you to strengthen or alleviate current complaints? We look forward to hearing about your experiences! Share them with us and others in our Shakti Mat Facebook community. Become a member now!

If you want to know more about the healing method, you can continue to browse our blog. There is also a wide range of literature on the subject. We wish you lots of fun and, above all, relaxation while trying it out.

About the author

Jasmin is a passionate content creator - with a business mind. As a German-American, she grew up in Franconia, experienced bed bugs in the Big Apple, survived paragliding flights in Argentina and lost her heart to creative Berlin. She is fascinated by cultures and their peculiarities and is interested in a sustainable and healthy lifestyle as well as the topics of futurology, digitalization and the phenomenon of how trends emerge. She has also been bitten by the yoga bug for a few years now. That's why she always takes her yoga mat with her - for example on countless road trips through Europe with her boyfriend, her little cocker spaniel and hopefully soon with her own camper van.

Sources for this article

• Günter Harnisch, Self-healing with the acupressure mat, insider tip for back and stress sufferers, 7th edition 2019
• Michael Reed Gach, Heilende Punkte - Akupressur zur Selbstbehandlung von Krankheiten, 1992, p. 195ff., p. 264 f., p. 205 ff., p. 288f., p. 125, p. 241f.
• Duden, https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Akupressur
• Laura Müller, 18.04.2020, Acupressure: effect and application of the healing method, https://utopia.de/ratgeber/akupressur-wirkung-und-anwendung-der-heilmethode/
• Prof. Dr. Claudia Witt, Charité press release, Women benefit from self-help via app, https://www.charite.de/service/pressemitteilung/artikel/detail/akupressur_bei_regelschmerzen/
• https://www.acupunctureworld.de/akupressur/
• Niko Remy, 09.01.2012, Apotheken Umschau, Video: Acupressure - using your fingertips to combat pain https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/therapie/therapiearten/video-akupressur-mit-fingerspitzen-gefuehl-gegen-den-schmerz-711485.html
• Dr. Merwe Carstens, et al, Acupressure in Paliative Medicine, Sana Medizinwelten, https://www.sana.de/palliativmedizin/akupressur-in-der-palliativmedizin
• Sabine Maurer, 23.06.2010, Acupressure allows energies to flow against pain, https://www.welt.de/gesundheit/article8152325/Akupressur-laesst-Energien-gegen-Schmerzen-fliessen.html
• Rüdiger Braun, Simply push away aches and pains, https://www.stern.de/gesundheit/kinderkrankheiten/alternative-therapien/akupressur-wehwehchen-einfach-wegdruecken-3752968.html
• Stephanie Pingel, 26.05.2021, How to activate your self-healing powers, https://www.brigitte.de/gesund/naturheilmittel/akupressur--aktiviere-deine-selbstheilung-12749378.html
• Prof. Dr. Dominik Irnich, Acupressure - a valuable complementary medical measure for symptom relief in paediatrics, paediatric surgery and anaesthesia in children http://www.klinikum.uni-muenchen.de/Kinderchirurgische-Klinik-und-Poliklinik-im-Dr-von-Haunerschen-Kinderspital/download/inhalt/schmerz/Akupressur.pdf