Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Acupressure?Acupressure and Weight LossPressure PointsContraindications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Acupressure?
Acupressure and Weight Loss
Pressure Points
Contraindications
If you’re looking to lose weight, acupressure could potentially be an effective weight loss aid. Acupressure is a practice intraditional Chinese medicinethat involves applying manual pressure on specific points on the body. Unlike acupuncture, acupressure practitioners use their fingers, palms, elbow, feet, or other devices instead of needles.
While there is little research to confirm this benefit, some studies are showing promising results. Acupressure is safe for most people who may want to try it as supplementation to a conventional diet and exercise plan.
This article discusses what acupressure is and how it may aid in weight loss, as well as who may be a good candidate for this therapy.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
An energy flow calledqifollows these pathways through the body, which is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease.
By applying acupressure to certain points, it is thought to improve the flow ofqiand therefore health.
Each pressure point can be found along one of the principal meridians:
There are also two other meridians that don’t fall under the category of principal meridians. These include the governor vessel meridian and conception vessel meridian.
Each meridian lines a pathway to a different organ system and is thought to affect how healthy that system is depending on the level of energy flow.
Studies have shown that acupressure can help with various ailments includingheadachesand nausea.It can also help with mood disorders such asanxietyanddepressionin addition to chronic pain.
Acupressure Uses and Benefits
Although acupressure has been proven effective for many ailments, the jury is still out when it comes to weight loss.
Recent research has found that there may be some truth to these claims. It has been found that acupressure points that influence digestion, metabolism, and stress reduction could all play a vital role in the use of acupressure for weight loss.
One systematic review pulled information from seven studies and found that using pressure points on the ear, known asauricularacupoints, aided in the overall reduction of weight over a 12-week period.
4 Pressure Points for Weight Loss
Acupressure therapy is something that can be done at home. If done properly, it could also lead to health benefits and be a cost-effective and viable supplemental treatment option for those already working toward losing weight.
There are four pressure points, other than the auricular acupoint, that could aid in weight loss.This is, however, an evolving area of study, and many of the benefits are still being investigated.
Tips for Proper TechniqueFor the therapy to be effective, the proper technique will need to be applied. It’s important to find the pressure point and press down until there is resistance without pain. While pressing down, make a circular motion with your thumb using even pressure throughout.
Tips for Proper Technique
For the therapy to be effective, the proper technique will need to be applied. It’s important to find the pressure point and press down until there is resistance without pain. While pressing down, make a circular motion with your thumb using even pressure throughout.
San Yin Jiao (Three Yin Intersection)
The SP6 pressure point can be found on the spleen meridian. It is thought that it has a great effect on the organs in the lower abdomen as well as the parasympathetic nervous system, the system that controls all bodily functions while it is at rest.
The point is located on the inner ankles, about three inches above the ankle bone. Apply firm pressure to the point using one or two fingers, and massage in a circular motion for two to three minutes. For the best results, do the same thing on both the right and left sides.
Zu San Li (Leg Three Mile)
This point is named so because stimulating it would allow farmers to walk an extra 3 miles. It is located on the front of the leg below the knee. It is found on the stomach meridian.
Tian Shu (Celestial Pivot)
Find the point on your abdomen and apply a firm level of pressure. Massage the point in a small and circular motion for two to three minutes, repeating on both sides.
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
Zhong Wan (Central Stomach)
To activate this pressure point, apply firm pressure and massage in a circular motion for up to three minutes.
Who Should Avoid Acupressure?
Summary
Acupressure is a safe practice that has been used for thousands of years for a variety of ailments. Some recent research has shown that it could also potentially be an effective weight loss aid.
It’s important to remember that acupressure should be used as an additional way to help with weight loss and should not be your only strategy to lose weight. A successful weight loss plan always includes a healthy diet and regular exercise.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Maurer N, Nissel H, Egerbacher M, Gornick E, Schuller P, Traxler H.Anatomical evidence of acupuncture meridians in the human extracellular matrix: results from a macroscopic and microscopic interdisciplinary multicentre study on human corpses.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2019 Mar 21;2019:6976892. doi:10.1155/2019/6976892
Moore CS, Sibbritt DW, Adams J.A critical review of manual therapy use for headache disorders: prevalence, profiles, motivations, communication and self-reported effectiveness.BMC Neurol. 2017;17(1):61. doi:10.1186/s12883-017-0835-0
Tara F, Bahrami-Taghanaki H, Amini Ghalandarabad M, et al.The effect of acupressure on the severity of nausea, vomiting, and retching in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.Complement Med Res. 2020;27(4):252-259. doi:10.1159/000505637
Movahedi M, Ghafari S, Nazari F, Valiani M.The effects of acupressure on pain severity in female nurses with chronic low back pain.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2017;22(5):339-342. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_108_16
Huang CF, Guo SE, Chou FH.Auricular acupressure for overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).2019;98(26):e16144. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016144
Zhong LL, Kun W, Lam TF, et al.The combination effects of body acupuncture and auricular acupressure compared to sham acupuncture for body weight control: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Trials.2016;17(1):346. doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1458-2
Smith CA, Armour M, Dahlen HG.Acupuncture or acupressure for induction of labour.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2017;10(10):CD002962. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub4
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