5 Acupressure Points Every Nurse Should Know for On-Shift Stress Relief
Nursing requires immense compassion, stamina, and emotional resilience — yet the pace and pressure of modern healthcare often leave nurses physically and mentally exhausted. For holistic nurses seeking simple, evidence-based tools for self-care, acupressure offers a profound way to regulate stress, restore balance, and connect to the body’s innate healing intelligence.
By combining acupressure with conscious breathing, nurses can access the body’s universal life force — known in Chinese medicine as Qi (pronounced “chee”) — to release tension, calm the nervous system, and regain centered focus in the middle of a busy shift.
Below are five essential acupressure points every nurse should know for immediate stress relief and energy restoration during the workday.
1. Yin Tang — For Calming the Mind
Located between the eyebrows, Yin Tang is known as the “third eye” point that quiets racing thoughts and promotes emotional clarity.
How to use:
Gently press between your brows using your index or middle finger.
Take five slow, deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
Visualize a cool wave of calm moving across your forehead.
Benefits: Relieves anxiety, reduces headaches, and helps you stay composed under pressure.
2. Heart 7— For Emotional Balance
This point lies on the wrist crease at the pinky side of the hand. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shen Men regulates the heart’s energy, easing emotional overwhelm and nervous tension.
How to use:
Apply light circular pressure with your thumb for 1–2 minutes while breathing gently.
On each exhale, imagine releasing emotional heaviness.
Benefits: Reduces palpitations, anxiety, and restlessness; enhances emotional resilience during demanding shifts.
3. Pericardium 6 — For Nausea and Calm Focus
Found three finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the tendons. Nei Guan harmonizes the mind and relieves stress-induced nausea or dizziness.
How to use:
Press firmly with the opposite thumb, hold for 2 minutes, and breathe evenly.
Inhale through the nose, exhale slowly, extending your breath until you feel your heart rate soften.
Benefits: Centers the mind, supports steady breathing, and eases tension headaches or upset stomach related to stress.
4. Large Intestine 4 — For Tension and Fatigue
Located on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger, He Gu is one of the most powerful points for releasing muscular tension and invigorating Qi flow.
How to use:
Press and knead gently in circular motions.
Inhale deeply, drawing breath up the spine; exhale, feeling the tension release through your shoulders.
Benefits: Relieves neck and shoulder tightness, boosts energy, and clears mental fog.
(Note: Avoid during pregnancy.)
5. Kidney 1 — For Grounding and Renewal
Located on the sole of the foot, one-third down from the base of the toes, this point draws energy downward to ground the spirit and restore vitality.
How to use:
When seated, press your thumb into the center of the sole and take slow diaphragmatic breaths.
Imagine exhaling any fatigue through your feet, reconnecting with the earth beneath you.
Benefits: Restores balance, reduces overthinking, and recharges energy after long hours of caregiving.
Breath: The Bridge to Universal Qi
While each acupressure point stimulates energy pathways, it’s the breath that channels Qi through the body. Inhale to receive — drawing in life energy. Exhale to release — letting go of tension, fear, and fatigue. Even one minute of conscious breathing at a patient’s bedside can shift your entire energetic state.
Consider pairing each acupressure practice with 4-7-8 breathing (inhale 4 seconds, hold 7, exhale 8) or gentle nose-only breathing to keep your nervous system regulated throughout the day.
Holistic Nursing in Action
By integrating acupressure and breathwork into daily practice, nurses can nurture both themselves and their patients — embodying the true philosophy of holistic nursing: mind, body, and spirit in harmony.
For nurses seeking deeper training, consider exploring our Acupressure Certificate for Nurses here,