The theories and treatment protocols for acupuncture can be fairly technical, complex, and overwhelming for those seeking to utilize acupressure as a form of self-treatment. In acupuncture, proper treatment requires an appropriate diagnosis in terms relative to acupuncture, which may involve looking at the tongue, checking the pulse, palpating certain points and areas, and asking questions to come to a precise diagnosis. And acupuncture point selection is a complex art and science which takes practitioners years to feel comfortable with.
There are, however, a number of points that are useful for acupressure in the sense that they are easy to apply acupressure techniques with and they have generally useful and precise functions that do not require a more developed diagnosis before use.
Acupressure Point Sections
Some of the more common acupuncture points useful in acupressure are described within our acupressure section along with links for more detailed information. In general, you can hold and/or massage these points for 3-5 minutes or longer until you achieve a change in your condition. As always, it is often best to receive acupuncture first and ask your acupuncturist which points they would recommend for your condition.