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Traditional wellness · educational

Acupressure for Stress and Feeling Wound Up

For the short-fuse, can't-switch-off kind of day. Two points on the hands and feet you can do anywhere, plus the neck and skull points that go with them.

Start with these
  1. LR3 — top of the foot · thumb · 30–60s each foot
  2. LI4 — web of thumb & index · firm circles · 30s each hand
Another minute? Add GB20 and PC6. Jump to the point-by-point →

How to press

Tool — your thumb pad or index-finger knuckle. No gadgets needed.
Angle — press straight in, perpendicular to the skin.
Pressure — firm but comfortable: a dull ache, never sharp pain.
Time — 30–60 seconds per point. Breathe slow, press on the exhale.

The points, one by one

LR3 acupressure point diagram
LR3 · Tàichōng
太冲 · top of foot, between toes
Why people try it
Used in traditional routines for everyday stress and a calmer mood.
How to use
Thumb, 30–60s, both feet.
When to try
When you feel irritable or tense.
How to tell you've got it
A clear ache in the dip between the two bones — one of the more noticeable points.
Common mistake
Searching in the toe webbing. Walk your thumb back toward the ankle until you find the hollow between the long bones of the foot.
LI4 acupressure point diagram
LI4 · Hégu
合谷 · web of thumb & index
Why people try it
A go-to point in traditional practice for everyday head, face, and hand tension.
How to use
Thumb of other hand, firm circle, 30–60s.
When to try
At the first sign of everyday head or face tension.
How to tell you've got it
A dull ache that spreads across the hand — you may feel it travel toward the wrist.
Common mistake
Pressing the soft skin at the very edge of the web. Move slightly toward the index-finger bone until you meet firm muscle.
⚠️ Traditionally avoided in pregnancy
GB20 acupressure point diagram
GB20 · Fēngchí
风池 · back of skull, neck hollows
Why people try it
A common point for neck and head tension.
How to use
Thumbs press up & in, 30–60s.
When to try
After screen time or when your neck feels tight.
How to tell you've got it
A spreading ache that can reach up the back of the head.
Common mistake
Pressing the skull instead of the hollow beneath it. Tilt your chin slightly down to open the space first.
PC6 acupressure point diagram
PC6 · Nèiguān
内关 · inner forearm, above wrist
Why people try it
A staple of travel and calming routines in traditional practice.
How to use
Thumb presses in & up, 30–60s.
When to try
Before or during travel, or when your stomach feels uneasy.
How to tell you've got it
A sore, faintly tingly feeling between the two tendons, sometimes reaching the palm.
Common mistake
Landing on the wrist crease itself. Measure three finger-widths up from the crease first, then press.

The full routine

1
LR3
top of foot · thumb · 30–60s each foot
→
2
LI4
both hands · firm circles · 30s
→
3
GB20
base of skull · thumbs press up & in · 30–60s
→
4
PC6
both forearms · press in & up · 30s

Two points, under two minutes — use it as a bridge: after work, before dinner, or anytime the day feels like too much. Breathe out as you press. Keep it unhurried; rushing it defeats the purpose.

Common questions

Which acupressure points help when you feel wound up?
LR3 (top of the foot) and LI4 (the web of the hand) are the two most commonly reached for in traditional practice when someone feels irritable or tense, often with GB20 at the base of the skull. PC6 and HT7 are used when the problem is being unable to switch off.
How do I press LR3?
It sits on top of the foot, in the dip between the long bones, walking your thumb back from the toe webbing toward the ankle. You are looking for a clear ache — it is one of the more noticeable points.
Can acupressure replace treatment for anxiety or stress?
No. Acupressure is a traditional wellness practice and results vary. It is not a treatment for any condition. If stress, low mood, or anxiety are persistent or affecting your daily life, please speak to a qualified health professional.

Want all 15 points in one printable guide?

This page covers what you need for today. The Starter Kit puts the full set of 15 points together with 6 ready-to-use routines — bedtime, travel, daily reset, morning, desk and monthly comfort — plus 9 hand-demo clips so you can see the press-and-hold motion, not just read about it.

Get the Starter Kit — $12 See all 15 points first — free

Where to go next

All 15 points, on one page →The full acupressure points chart — locations and how to press each one. Acupressure for Head and face tension →A single-page routine for this too. Acupressure for Tense neck and shoulders →A single-page routine for this too.

Educational use only — not medical advice. Acupressure is a traditional practice, not a medical treatment. This page describes how the points are traditionally used; results vary, and nothing here diagnoses, treats, or cures any condition. Points marked as avoided in pregnancy (LI4, SP6, GB21) should be skipped if you are or may be pregnant — check with a qualified practitioner first. Don't press on injured, inflamed, or broken skin. For persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms, see a clinician.

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