A licensed acupuncturist's guide to calming your nervous system in minutes — no needles, no appointments, no guesswork.
Stress doesn't always show up as a dramatic breakdown. More often, it's the clenched jaw you notice at 3pm, the shallow breathing before a meeting, the tension headache that creeps up by Friday afternoon. Your body keeps the score — and it speaks through tight muscles, disrupted sleep, and that restless feeling you can't quite shake.
As a practising acupuncturist, I see the physical fingerprints of chronic stress every single day in my clinic. And the technique I teach nearly every patient to use between sessions? Acupressure — the act of applying firm, targeted pressure to specific points on the body to encourage the nervous system toward a calmer, more balanced state.
Acupressure works on the same meridian system as acupuncture, rooted in over 2,000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The difference is that instead of needles, you use your fingers — or a precision tool — to stimulate the points yourself.
Below are the 5 points I recommend most for stress and tension, with exactly where to find each one, how to work it, and which INVG tool makes the job easier at home.
How to Use This Guide
Pressure: Firm but comfortable. You should feel a definite sensation — a mild ache, warmth, or pleasant tingling. If it's sharp, ease off.
Duration: Hold each point for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Breathe slowly and deeply while you hold.
Frequency: Several times a day is fine. Morning, midday, and before bed works well. Even 5 minutes on 2–3 points can shift your state noticeably.
Tools: Your fingers work perfectly. A precision acupressure tool saves your hands from fatigue and delivers more consistent pressure — especially on smaller points.
Please note: Acupressure is a self-care practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are pregnant, have a blood-clotting disorder, or are on blood-thinning medication, please consult your healthcare provider before starting. LI4 in particular is traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy.
1. Heart 7 — Shenmen (Spirit Gate)
Wrist · Pinky side
If I could teach everyone only one acupressure point, this would be it. Heart 7 is the source point of the Heart meridian, which in TCM governs not just the physical heart but the mind and emotional spirit — what we call the shen.
When your thoughts are racing, when anxiety sits like a weight on your chest, or when you can't switch off at night — this is where to go. HT7 is traditionally used to calm the spirit, settle the mind, and ease emotional restlessness. It's one of the most frequently needled points in my clinic, and it translates beautifully to self-acupressure.
How to find it: Bend your wrist slightly toward you. Find the crease where your hand meets your wrist on the palm side. Slide your finger to the pinky edge of the crease — you'll feel a small depression between the tendons and the bone.
How to work it: Press firmly with your thumb or the tip of an acupressure pen. Hold for 1–2 minutes, breathing deeply. Repeat on the other wrist.
Ideal tool: INVG AcuPen (small tip)
2. Yintang (Hall of Impression)
Between the eyebrows
You've probably done this instinctively — pressing between your eyebrows when you're overwhelmed. There's a reason it feels right. Yintang is one of the most widely used extra points in TCM for calming the mind, easing frontal headaches, and supporting restful sleep.
This point sits over an area rich in nerve endings and close to branches of the trigeminal nerve, which is why gentle pressure here creates an almost immediate sense of softening.
How to find it: Place your fingertip directly between your eyebrows, in the soft indentation above the bridge of your nose.
How to work it: Apply gentle, steady pressure — this area is sensitive, so less is more. Hold for 1–3 minutes with slow breathing. Small circular motions work well too.
Ideal tool: INVG AcuPen (large tip) or fingertip
3. Large Intestine 4 — Hegu (Joining Valley)
Hand · Between thumb and index finger
LI4 is arguably the most famous acupressure point in the world. It's a powerful point for tension headaches and facial tightness, and it's exceptionally effective at releasing the kind of full-body tension that accumulates under chronic stress.
In TCM, LI4 moves stagnant Qi throughout the entire upper body — making it the point to reach for when stress has you clenching everything from your jaw to your shoulders.
How to find it: Find the fleshy mound of muscle between your thumb and index finger. Squeeze firmly with the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand, angling slightly toward the index finger bone.
How to work it: Hold for 1–2 minutes on each hand. This point is often quite tender — that's normal. Use firm pressure and breathe through it.
Ideal tool: Thumb pressure or INVG Scarab (rounded edge)
Important: LI4 is traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy as it is believed to stimulate uterine contractions. If you are pregnant or think you may be, skip this point entirely.
4. Stomach 36 — Zusanli (Leg Three Miles)
Below the knee · Outer shin
ST36 is one of the most important points in all of Chinese medicine. Its name — "Leg Three Miles" — comes from the traditional story that stimulating this point gave travellers enough energy to walk another three miles.
In TCM, it's the primary point for strengthening the body's overall Qi and supporting the digestive system. Why include a digestive point on a stress list? Because in Chinese medicine, the Spleen and Stomach are responsible for transforming food into energy. When you're chronically stressed, this system is one of the first to suffer — leading to fatigue, brain fog, and that heavy, depleted feeling.
ST36 is the point that helps rebuild that foundation. I recommend it to nearly every patient who presents with stress-related exhaustion — the kind where you're not just anxious, but genuinely running on empty.
How to find it: Sit with your knee bent. Place four fingers horizontally below the bottom edge of your kneecap. The point is at the level of your little finger, roughly one finger-width to the outside of the shin bone. You'll feel a slight muscular depression.
How to work it: Press firmly with your thumb or acupressure tool. Hold for 1–2 minutes on each leg. Slow circular massage also works well. This is a robust point — it can handle confident pressure.
Ideal tool: INVG AcuPen (either tip) or thumb
5. Liver 3 — Taichong (Great Surge)
Top of the foot
If your stress shows up as irritability, frustration, jaw clenching, or tension headaches at the temples — Liver 3 is your point. In TCM, the Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When you're stressed, Liver Qi stagnates, manifesting as that tight, wound-up, about-to-snap feeling.
LIV3 is the source point of the Liver meridian and the most direct way to release that stagnation. Many practitioners combine LIV3 with LI4 in a pairing known as the "Four Gates" — one of the most powerful acupressure combinations for moving stuck energy and easing emotional tension throughout the entire body.
How to find it: On the top of your foot, find the space between your big toe and second toe. Slide your finger up from the web toward the ankle — about two finger-widths. You'll feel it dip into a tender hollow before hitting the junction of the metatarsal bones.
How to work it: Press firmly downward and hold, or use small circular motions for 1–2 minutes per foot.
Ideal tool: INVG AcuPen (small tip) or thumb
How to Build a Daily Routine
You don't need to work all 5 points every day. Choose 2–3 that resonate with your pattern of stress and be consistent.
Morning (2 minutes): Start with Yintang to create calm focus. Add ST36 if you're waking up depleted.
Midday (2 minutes): LI4 to release jaw and shoulder clenching. Discreet enough for your desk.
Evening (3 minutes): HT7 to calm the spirit and LIV3 to release the day's frustrations. Pair with slow breathing — inhale 4 counts, exhale 6.
The patients who see the biggest changes aren't the ones who do the longest routines — they're the ones who do something every day. Build it into habits you already have: while the kettle boils, during your commute, as you wind down for bed.
Why the Right Tool Matters
Precision. Many points are small. A tapered tool tip delivers focused pressure exactly where it's needed.
Consistency. A tool maintains steady contact without your fingers tiring out.
Access. Points on your feet or between your shoulders are awkward to reach barehanded.
Ritual. A dedicated, beautiful tool transforms acupressure from something you occasionally try into a daily practice. And practices are what create lasting change.
Start Your Acupressure Practice
Every INVG tool is designed by a licensed acupuncturist for clinical-grade precision at home.
Shop INVG ToolsFrequently Asked Questions
How quickly does acupressure work for stress?
Most people feel a calming shift within 30 seconds to 3 minutes of sustained pressure. Consistent daily practice over 2–4 weeks tends to produce stronger, longer-lasting results.
Can I do acupressure on myself at home?
Absolutely. Acupressure requires no needles and can be done with your fingers or a handheld tool like the INVG AcuPen.
What is the best acupressure point for anxiety?
Heart 7 (Shenmen) at the wrist crease is widely regarded by TCM practitioners as one of the most effective single points for emotional restlessness. Combining it with Yintang and Liver 3 creates a well-rounded calming routine.
How long should I hold an acupressure point?
30 seconds to 2 minutes per point, using steady pressure. You should feel a mild ache or warmth — not sharp pain.
Are acupressure tools better than fingers?
Both work. Tools offer precision, consistency, and better reach — especially for self-treatment on the feet and legs.
Final Thoughts
Stress management isn't about eliminating stress — that's not realistic. What matters is having reliable tools to regulate your response to it.
Acupressure gives you that. It's ancient, it's well-supported, and it's entirely in your own hands. All you need is a few minutes, a quiet moment, and the willingness to slow down.
I designed every INVG tool to make that practice easier, more precise, and more intentional — because the tools you use for self-care should feel as considered as the practice itself.
Start with one point. Build from there.
— Jude the Acupuncturist, BSc (Hons)
INVG Wellness products are designed for self-care and wellbeing. They are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. If you have a health condition or concern, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use.