Acupressure: What It Is and What Research Shows

What acupressure is

Acupressure applies pressure to specific points on the body, using fingers, a thumb or a band, instead of needles. The points come from the same traditional Chinese framework as acupuncture, in which they are linked to channels called meridians. That framework is a traditional explanation and is not established as a physical mechanism. [1] Because nothing breaks the skin, acupressure avoids the infection and organ-injury risks of needling, but it has not been shown to work for most of the uses it is marketed for. For needle methods, see acupuncture methods and the comparison acupuncture vs acupressure.

Who it suits and who should check first

Acupressure does not replace diagnosis. Check with a clinician first if you are pregnant and have severe vomiting, if you have a medical condition behind your symptoms, or if symptoms are new, severe or lasting.

What research shows

• After surgery. A Cochrane review of 59 trials (7,667 people) looked at PC6 stimulation, which included acupuncture, electrical devices and acupressure. Compared with sham, nausea fell (risk ratio 0.68) and vomiting fell (0.60). The review rated this evidence low quality. It found no difference compared with antiemetic drugs. Side effects were minor, such as skin irritation. [2] The review does not tell us how acupressure alone performs.
• Pregnancy sickness. The NHS says there is some evidence that pressure on the wrist, from a special band or fingers, may help relieve symptoms. [3]
• Labor pain. A 2021 meta-analysis of 13 trials (1,586 people) found acupressure on top of standard care reduced pain compared with sham acupressure or standard care alone, and called the evidence moderate with a need for better trials. No adverse events were reported in these limited studies. [4]

A gentle approach described by a health service

The NHS suggests trying acupressure by wearing a special wrist band or pressing on the wrist with your fingers, as one option for pregnancy sickness. [3] We did not find a source giving a step-by-step method or pressure amount for self-treatment, so we do not give one here. Bands are sold with their own instructions. Stop if you feel pain, numbness, skin damage or worse symptoms.

Stop signs and when to seek care

The NHS advises calling a midwife, GP or 111 in the UK if you are vomiting and cannot keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, have very dark urine or have not passed urine in over 8 hours, or feel very weak, dizzy or faint. [3] Elsewhere, contact your own clinician or local emergency service. In the U.S., call 911 in an emergency.

Related reading

See acupuncture for nausea and other uses and indigestion and nausea.