Does Acupressure Really Work?

Q: Does Acupressure Really Work?

Does Acupressure work? Of the old, traditional techniques still in use, Acupressure holds up well, and it has no side effects. Practice it regularly and do it properly, and you get a lot of positive effects from it. There’s a similar therapy called Acupuncture. The only real difference is that Acupuncture means hair-thin needles go into the skin, for relief of different kinds. Below I’ll go through the benefits, how it works, and how you can get something out of it. What acupressure can do for you: Do it Yourself Once you’ve learned the acupressure points on your body, you can do Acupressure yourself. No professional needed.

Does Acupressure work?

Of the old, traditional techniques still in use, Acupressure holds up well, and it has no side effects. Practice it regularly and do it properly, and you get a lot of positive effects from it.

There’s a similar therapy called Acupuncture. The only real difference is that Acupuncture means hair-thin needles go into the skin, for relief of different kinds.

Below I’ll go through the benefits, how it works, and how you can get something out of it.

What acupressure can do for you:

Contents

Do it Yourself

Once you’ve learned the acupressure points on your body, you can do Acupressure yourself. No professional needed. And since it has no side effects, there’s nothing much to worry about.

Headache Relief

A study in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine looked at specific acupressure points for headaches and found they helped. The points involved were BL2, GV20, GB20, TH21 and GB5.

Sickness and Nausea Relief

If you deal with morning sickness or nausea a lot, give Acupressure a try. Most people start to feel the difference fairly quickly. It can also help ease anxiety, depression, and similar problems.

Relieves Chronic Pain

Lots of people live with chronic pain: back pain, neck pain, lower back pain. Working the specific Acupressure points for each one can relieve that kind of pain.

No Side Effects

Medicines almost always come with some side effects. Acupressure doesn’t. Even on your own, it tends to go smoothly. Practicing it is safe.

Treat Insomnia

If you have insomnia and sleep badly, Acupressure can help. Use the right pressure points and those rough nights usually get easier, and you start sleeping better than before. Studies in 2013 and 2018 both got favorable results.

Treats Menstrual Cramps

Many women get severe menstrual cramps, bad enough to disrupt the whole day. Pressing specific points on the body with Acupressure can help relieve that pain.

Boosts Labor and Relieves Pain

There are specific points that, on the advice of your midwife or your OBGYN, can help relieve labor pain. Acupressure can also help boost the labor and move you towards delivering the baby without any extreme pain.

Ending Note:

Press the right points with the right amount of pressure and acupressure helps ease all sorts of pain. It helps with nausea and sickness too. Even pregnant women can get the benefits, because it works and the results are noticeable.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jian Times

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Dara Sharma

Dara Sharma is a wellness writer focused on acupressure and pressure-point therapy. She researches traditional techniques and practical routines, and writes easy-to-follow guides for everyday wellbeing. Her articles are for education only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Content on this site is for education only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor before trying acupressure if you're pregnant, have a chronic condition or take blood thinners.