PRESS the POINT
Your Guide to Pressure Points on the Body

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PRESS the POINT

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PRESS the POINT.com is your one stop reference for pressure points on the body. We show you exactly where the POINTS are so you can PRESS them and enjoy the benefits of pressure points. There are literally thousands of pressure points on the body. Practitioners of acupressure, shiatsu and the martial arts study them for years to master their power. We know that you don't have time for that, so we make it easy. All you have to do is PRESS the POINT.

Healing Pressure Points
for relief from pain or ailments using pressure points

Pressure Point Massage
to learn how to relieve stress and relax with pressure points

Martial Arts Pressure Points
using pressure points for self defense

How to Find Pressure Points On the Body

Pressure points are nerve bundles found throughout the body. They can cause both pain and pleasure. Pressure points can both hurt an attacker and heal a wounded body. They are both easy to find and difficult to master. Read on to learn how to find pressure points on the body.

Achilles Tendon Realize that we are symmetrical creatures. If we have a pressure point on the right side there is also one in the same spot on the left side. If there's a pressure point in your hand there will also be one in a similar location on your foot.

Hand Pressure Point Start with the pressure points that you already know. Most people know about the Achilles tendon. It is that strip connecting your heal and calf. Pinching the sides can be either pleasurable or painful depending how hard you squeeze. A corresponding pressure point is located on the webbing of your hand in the meaty part between your thumb and pointer finger. Squeeze it and experience it for yourself.

Arm Pressure Point Work your way up your arm. Pinch the sides of your upper arm about an inch above your elbow. Feel around. You will know when you find it. Next go down and press the corresponding spot above your knee. Press and enjoy.

Foot Pressure Point Find the ball of your foot. It's the part of the foot you stand on when you are on your tip toes not including the toes themselves. Press on the spot under the ball of the foot in the arch. It is located closer to the inside of the foot than the outside. Now find the corresponding spot in your palm next to the meaty part under the thumb.

Neck Pressure Point Poke around your head and neck to find other pressure points. If it is a fragile spot it is probably a pressure point. You can find them on the temples just outside your eyes, in the pocket just beneath your ears, and along the ridge of muscle connecting your shoulder and neck. Remember, if there's a pressure point on your right side there's another one on your left side.

Back Pressure Point Grab a friend and roll them over on their stomach. Pressure points can be found along both sides of the spine. Do not press directly on the spine. Work pressure from the base of the spine at the pelvis up to the top of the neck where it meets the skull. Try about one inch on each side of the spine.

Just a few of the thousands of pressure points on the human body are listed here. These are the major ones that are easiest to find. If you are interested in learning more about pressure points, see the Resources section below.
Pressing a pressure point too hard will hurt or even injure. Be careful. Press gently at first then gradually increase pressure. If it hurts then stop.

Pressure Point FAQ's

What is a pressure point?

A pressure point is a spot on the body that is sensitive to pressure. This can be a nerve cluster or sensitive areas of muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, arteries or veins. Pressure points are used by martial artists to cause pain or compliance in their opponents. They are also utilized in therapy and by masseuses. Acupressure and Shiatsu focus on pressure points to treat the human body.

Where are pressure points?

You can find pressure points on every part of the body. Since we are symmetrical creatures, similar pressure points exist on both sides. If there is one on the right side, there is a corresponding one on the left. If there is a pressure point in the hand, there is an equivalent one in the foot. The best known pressure points are vulnerable areas of the body like the eyes, groin and solar plexus. Less obvious pressure points include the Achilles tendon, the meaty flesh next to your thumb and the spot directly under your ear.

Why do pressure points hurt?

When pressure is applied to a pressure point it pinches nerves or disrupts a normal operation of the body. When a nerve is pinched against a bone or muscle it shoots an signal of pain to the brain. When blood flow or air is cut off, the body reacts with pain to urge the body to restore normal function. Pain is also the reaction when joint pressure points are pushed to the limit to warn people that damage may occur if the pressure is not removed. When pressure points are manipulated in a therapeutic way, they can stimulate feelings of pleasure and euphoria. There is often a fine line between sensations of pleasure and pain.

How do pressure points help?

By temporarily disrupting bodily functions, pressure points can restore correct flow and balance. Pressure point manipulation is believed to cure a long list of ailments. Back pain is usually among the most commonly referenced since it is so wide spread. Every style of pressure point manipulation has a broad spectrum of techniques to treat back pain. Many people turn to these techniques when traditional western treatments produce poor results. Pressure points are also said to treat ailments such as depression, reproductive issues, and negative states of mind like anger.

What is the history of pressure points?

Pressure points have been used in medicine and martial arts since ancient times. They were of particular importance in Asian cultures. Martial artists developed pressure point attacks to subdue and repel their opponents. Because pressure points are so sensitive, a small amount of effort causes an extreme amount of pain. Martial artists learned to defend themselves against larger and stronger opponents using pressure points. The ancient Chinese treatment of acupressure helps heal the body with pressure points. It uses pressure point manipulation to balance the Eastern concepts of yin, yang and chi. Shiatsu is a similar and more recently developed treatment from Japan. The major difference between acupressure and shiatsu is that shiatsu is both diagnosis and therapy together. Shiatsu techniques strive to correct problems as they are discovered by the therapist. Reflexology traces its roots to the ancient Egyptians. It is the study of pressure points on the feet. While some see this as simple foot massage, believers insist that reflexology points can produce healing effects throughout the human body. Different zones on the feet correspond to different organs and joints.

Can everyone feel pressure points?

No. Most people react to pressure points and can be helped or harmed by their manipulation, however between 10 and 15 percent of people are "non-reactors." They don't feel much pleasure or pain from pressure-point manipulation. There are no clear-cut indicators to predict which people will be reactors and which will be non-reactors. It seems that some people are built with sensitive nerves while others are not. It is also possible for someone to feel certain pressure points on their body while not feeling others.