Acupressure
Acupressure is a broad family of non-needle practices that apply manual pressure to selected points, often within East Asian channel and point frameworks. It is related to, but not synonymous with, Shiatsu or Tui na. Is acupressure the same as Shiatsu or acupuncture? No. Acupressure is a broader non-needle family; Shiatsu is a distinct Japanese system, and acupuncture uses a separately regulated invasive method.
How it is practiced
A practitioner may use fingers, thumbs, palms, or other non-invasive contacts in local or whole-body sequences. Point selection, sequence, pressure, and explanatory framework vary by training tradition.
Sustained, rhythmic, or repeated pressure at selected sites. The record excludes needles, electrical stimulation, diagnosis, herb prescribing, and claims that point selection reliably treats internal disease.
- 01Planning and consent — Table, mat, or chair; often clothed or draped; dry contact is common; pressure remains consent-based and site-specific.
- 02Method and response — Sustained, rhythmic, or repeated pressure at selected sites. The record excludes needles, electrical stimulation, diagnosis, herb prescribing, and claims that point selection reliably treats internal disease.
- 03Safety and close — General massage guidance cautions against forceful or sustained pressure over superficial nerves and vessels and requires assessment of injured tissue, wounds, and impaired sensation.
Pressure
- Very light
- Light
- Light–moderateas recorded
- Moderate
- Moderate–deep
- Deep
MassageData does not measure force, and nothing here is a score.
History and origins
Safety and considerations
This record does not assert a complete technique-specific contraindication list. Defer massage for acute systemic infection or fever, suspected thrombosis, or acute medical emergencies, and seek appropriate clinical assessment.[S124]
Evidence limits. These are general tissue and anatomical pressure precautions. They do not establish point-specific, pregnancy-specific, or complete acupressure treatment instructions.
Training and professional context
Manual point pressure does not confer acupuncture, medical-diagnosis, herbal, or other separately regulated authority. Traditional point and channel frameworks must remain attributed frameworks, not biomedical mechanisms.
Whether this technique is within your scope depends on your profession, training, jurisdiction, and licensing board. Review the rules that apply where you practice.
Sources
Related techniques
- DESCRIPTION
- Usually performed through clothing, using sustained or rhythmic finger, thumb, palm, or other pressure according to the practitioner's school.
- REGION
- Japan
- HISTORY
- Modern Japanese system · developed in the early 20th century
- DESCRIPTION
- Often performed through clothing and without oil, using kneading, pressing, rubbing, and related manual methods.
- REGION
- Japan
- HISTORY
- Traditional practice · documented in Edo-period Japan
- DESCRIPTION
- Practitioners combine rubbing, kneading, pressing, point work, and assisted movement within Chinese manual-therapy frameworks.
- REGION
- China
- HISTORY
- Traditional living practice · multiple historical forms
- DESCRIPTION
- Usually performed clothed on a mat, with rhythmic pressure, assisted movement, positioning, and practitioner body mechanics.
- REGION
- Thailand
- HISTORY
- Traditional living practice · multiple regional lineages