Construction’s long hours and stressful environments can leave you feeling run down and burnt out. This can take a toll on your immune system and leave you susceptible to colds, flu, and respiratory illnesses that spread like wildfire on construction sites. Acupressure can help relieve stress and anxiety, treat insomnia, and support your immune system to prevent illness and infection. Try acupressure points like Gallbladder-20, Large intestine-4, and Lung-7 for immune support.
Quick look
- Acupressure involves applying firm pressure to specific points in the body to move stagnant or blocked energy or stimulate specific organs.
- Research has shown that acupressure effectively supports the immune system, relieves stress, and even reduces insomnia.
- Five acupressure points—GB-20, KI-27, ST-36, LI-4, and LU-7—can be particularly helpful for supporting immunity.
- Those with diabetes, bleeding conditions, or people who are pregnant should avoid acupressure or speak to their doctor before trying it at home.
What is acupressure?
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that is like acupuncture without the needles. TCM believes that your lifeforce of energy, or Qi (pronounced “chee”), flows along more than a dozen meridian lines, or energy channels, in the body. These meridians lead to hundreds of points that can be stimulated through needles (in acupuncture) or firm pressure (in acupressure.)
By stimulating these points, acupressure or acupuncture practitioners can release blocked or stagnant Qi, which is believed to cause pain, illness, and disease.
Because acupuncture uses needles, it needs to be performed by a trained practitioner in a clinical setting. Acupressure, on the other hand, is a gentler, non-invasive treatment you can perform by yourself at home. By learning about the various acupressure points, you can learn how to apply firm pressure to help address issues like muscle pain, nausea, headaches, and more.
The perks of acupressure
Who doesn’t love a treatment that’s free, low-risk, and backed by science? Acupressure checks all of these boxes. Learning about acupressure points is simple, especially when you have specific issues you want to address, and very few risks are associated with this treatment style. Best of all, you can try acupressure almost anywhere, making it an incredibly portable, convenient therapy.
Acupressure anytime, anywhere
No special equipment, no expensive creams, and no pills with scary-sounding side effects—acupressure is one of the simplest ways to address some of your most common complaints without leaving your home. Just find the acupressure point that corresponds with your symptoms and apply light, firm pressure (more detailed instructions later!). Some acupressure points like P6, located on the inner wrist, can be used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and they are especially helpful on the job site, where taking anti-nausea medication is off the table if you’re operating heavy machinery.
Improve insomnia
Research into acupressure’s efficacy in treating insomnia is somewhat limited, but the existing studies have shown promising results. A 2010 study of adults in long-term care found that those who received acupressure on the HT7 point over five weeks displayed “significantly better” sleep scores than participants who received only a light touch on the same spot. Even better—the effects continued up to two weeks after the treatment.
Another research study reviewed 31 different randomized trials and found that acupressure was beneficial for treating insomnia.
Reduce stress and anxiety
Construction can be a high-stress field, with tight deadlines, dangerous working conditions, and long hours all taking their toll on your mental health. Acupressure can help relieve anxiety and release stress, helping you stay more alert and present on the job site. A 2022 research study involving nurses showed that acupressure significantly reduces stress, anxiety, and fatigue compared to the control group. Another study from 2019 included over 500 participants and concluded that acupressure was effective at decreasing anxiety and pain.
Immune support
Acupressure has proved to be an effective practice for supporting the immune system and preventing illness. Research shows that acupressure can “affect pain intensity through modulation of the immune system” and may reduce the amount of allergy medication needed by decreasing allergy symptoms. Acupressure’s role in supporting the immune system is especially impressive, considering the relatively low risk of side effects. Many vitamins, supplements, or medical treatments have side effects associated with their use, which can lead to a game of medical whac-a-mole, where you solve one problem only for another to pop up. Acupressure seems to effectively treat issues, including run-down immune systems, without creating other problems to deal with down the line.
Several pressure points are associated with immune support: GB-20 (the Wind Pool point), KI-27 ( Shu Mansion point), ST-36 (Leg Three Mile point), LI-4 (Joining Valley point), and LU-7 (Broken Sequence point).
How to do acupressure
Acupressure can support your health in many different ways. To take advantage of its benefits, you can book an appointment with an acupressure practitioner or try it yourself at home. Although the exact method will differ with each acupressure spot, the typical technique is to use one or two fingers to apply firm pressure to the acupressure point and sometimes gently rub or massage the area. Never press hard enough to cause pain.
One acupressure method that has gained popularity in recent years is acupressure mats. These flat mats are covered with dozens of tiny discs with raised points. When you lie down on the mats or press into them with your hands, feet, or neck, the points gently press into your skin and stimulate multiple acupressure points simultaneously. Although you can’t target one specific acupressure point, the widespread stimulation is thought to have beneficial effects. Some small studies have shown acupressure mats to help relieve chronic neck and back pain.
5 acupressure points to boost immunity
Acupressure is a great way to support your immune system, helping to reduce the frequency of illness and boost your body’s natural resistance to colds, flu, and disease. These acupressure points can keep you feeling strong and healthy, especially in construction, where time is money and missed work days can mean costly delays to tight project deadlines.
1. The Wind Pool point | Gallbladder 20 (GB-20)
Location: To find this point, touch your earlobes and then move your fingers to the back of your head. You’ll feel a slight depression under the round mastoid bones, and this is the GB-20 point or Wind Pool point.
Action: The GB-20 point is associated with the gall bladder in acupressure. Stimulating this spot prevents “wind invasions” that cause illness. GB-20 can also improve respiratory health and reduce coughing.
2. Shu Mansion point | Kidney 27 (KI-27)
Location: The Shu Mansion point is found by placing your fingers a little below the depression at the base of your throat and moving your fingers about an inch to the side.
Action: The Shu Manson point is a powerful acupressure spot that supports the immune system. Applying pressure to KI-27 helps Qi to descend, relieving congestion and opening the chest. This point is especially effective for strengthening the respiratory system.
3. Leg Three Mile point | Stomach 36 (ST-36)
Location: The ST-36 pressure point is about a hand’s width below your kneecap and one finger’s width outside the center of the shin bone (tibia).
Action: The Leg Three Mile point, or ST-36, is one of the most effective acupressure points for immune support. ST-36 can balance Qi and strengthen the body’s protective energy. Applying pressure to this point can ease fatigue and make you feel more energetic.
4. Joining Valley point | Large intestine 4 (LI-4)
Location: To find LI-4, firmly pinch the skin between the thumb and index finger of the other hand.
Action: LI-4 is associated with the large intestine, and this spot is one you want to target if you have cold and flu symptoms like headache, runny nose, congestion, and sore throat. This spot creates calming and anti-inflammatory effects and also offers pain relief.
5. Broken Sequence Point | Lung 7 (LU-7)
Location: LU-7 is located on your wrist. To find it, follow your thumb bone down toward your wrist until you feel a small depression. Measure two finger-widths from that, and you’ve found the Broken Sequence Point.
Action: This point helps the body fight colds and viruses and can also be used in the early stages of illness. LU-7 is thought to strengthen the lungs.
Acupressure safety and considerations
While acupressure is safe for most people, there are some instances in which it should be avoided.
If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a bleeding disorder, speak to your doctor before trying acupressure yourself or with a practitioner. Pregnant women should also talk to their doctor before trying acupressure and avoid the points that may induce labor: LI4, SP6, BL60, GB21, and CV3.
Bottom line
Acupressure is a free, accessible, relatively simple, noninvasive treatment that’s been used for centuries to treat everything from depression to chronic pain. Targeting the five key immune system acupressure points can help ward off illness and keep your immune system performing its best, keeping you strong, healthy, and energetic—no matter what happens on the job site.
Looking for more construction-related content about health, tools, and all the latest industry news? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
