Acupuncture points that calm the nervous system include Yin Tang (between eyebrows) for mental fatigue, Shen Men (HT7) (wrist) to calm the mind, Pericardium 6 (PC6) (inner forearm) for anxiety and nausea, Liver 3 (LR3) (top of foot) for tension, and Governing Vessel 20 (GV20) (top of head) for grounding, often used with grounding points like Kidney 1 (KD1) (sole of foot) to shift energy downwards for deep relaxation. Stimulating these points, often through acupressure, helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest) to reduce stress and anxiety.
The webbing between thumb and index finger contains a stress-relieving pressure point. Gently pinch the spot between your opposite thumb and forefinger, holding the position. Where the neck and shoulder meet. Massage the area at the base of your neck with your thumb.
Acupuncture increases circulation, floods the brain with endogenous opioids, releases serotonin and Noradrenalin, and calms the nervous system simultaneously during every treatment. Those are the benefits.
Acupuncture Points for Anxiety
Here are seven practical ways to start.
(There really is something to that yoga "om.") Exercising : I know we talk about exercise a lot, but it's because it works and is one of the most underused calming strategies. Yoga, walking, jumping jacks, kicking a soccer ball – all can help calm the nervous system.
The 3-3-3 rule is a simple grounding technique for anxiety that brings you to the present moment by engaging your senses: 1) Name three things you can see, 2) Name three sounds you can hear, and 3) Move three parts of your body (like wiggling fingers/toes, rolling shoulders). This helps shift focus from overwhelming thoughts to your immediate environment, offering quick relief during panic or stress.
The "forbidden" acupuncture points, primarily avoided during pregnancy due to their strong effects on uterine activity, include LI4 (Hegu), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), GB21 (Jianjing), BL60 (Kunlun), and BL67 (Zhiyin), along with points in the lower abdomen (CV3-CV7) and sacral region (BL27-34). These points are known for potentially inducing labor, cervical ripening, or strong downward energy, making them risky until labor is desired or appropriate.
Anecdotal experiences from individuals who've sought acupuncture for anxiety vary, but a common thread is the feeling of relaxation post-session. Some have mentioned reduced symptoms after 3-4 sessions, while others have emphasised the gradual but consistent improvement over multiple sessions.
Beside cell-replacement, another strategy to repair the damaged CNS requires rewiring the CNS circuitry, a process for the regenerating axons to grow and innervate the postsynaptic targets and/or the differentiation of newly formed neurons to incorporate into the preexisting network.
Acupuncture offers a natural, effective way to support your vagus nerve and manage stress. By encouraging relaxation and resetting your nervous system, acupuncture can help you move from chronic stress into a state of healing and recovery.
Symptoms of nervous system disorders
Persistent or sudden onset of a headache. A headache that changes or is different. Loss of feeling or tingling. Weakness or loss of muscle strength.
But here are 9 calming techniques that do work – and they work quickly at that.
Pericardium 6 (PC 6) - located on the inner wrist, this point has been found to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and increase vagal activity. Lung 7 (LU7) - located on the wrist, this point is said to have a calming effect on the mind and stimulate the vagus nerve.
The 4 Golden Rules of Acupuncture are fundamental lifestyle guidelines from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that support natural healing by aligning with the body's rhythms: Eat only when hungry, drink only when thirsty, rest when tired, and sleep early, promoting balance and conserving vital energy (Qi) for optimal health and recovery.
Some acupuncture points are just more sensitive than others. Areas like the fingers, toes, and ears have more nerve endings near the surface, so they can feel a little sharper when the needle goes in. Points on the arms, legs, or back usually feel gentler.
Acupuncture contraindications generally involve conditions like bleeding disorders, blood thinners, pacemakers, pregnancy (especially certain points), unstable spine, skin infections, and severe immune suppression, requiring caution or avoidance; areas with recent wounds, inflammation, or sensory loss are also contraindicated, and electro-acupuncture is typically avoided with pacemakers/ICDs. Always consult a healthcare professional to assess risks, especially with conditions like cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy, as some situations are relative contraindications needing careful practitioner judgment.
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5-4-3-2-1 exercise for anxiety FAQs
It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. By doing so, it helps shift your focus from anxiety-provoking thoughts to the present moment.
Teas for stress and anxiety relief
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What to avoid saying to someone with anxiety?