Effect of Acupressure on Neck and Shoulder Pain Among Office Workers

Abstract

Neck and shoulder pain are common occupational health problems among office workers, particularly those who spend prolonged periods using computers or maintaining static postures. Persistent symptoms may reduce concentration, physical comfort, work capacity, and quality of life. Acupressure is a non-invasive complementary technique involving manual stimulation of selected points and has been investigated for musculoskeletal pain. This paper reviews the potential effect of acupressure on neck and shoulder pain among office workers, with emphasis on pain severity, disability, muscle tension, functional performance, workplace factors, and safety. Evidence specifically involving office workers is more limited than the broader literature on workplace neck pain. A systematic review of acupressure for neck pain syndrome found potential benefits for pain intensity and reported generally favorable safety, but the included studies were heterogeneous and the evidence quality was limited. Broader workplace research shows that targeted strengthening and workplace modifications can reduce neck pain in office workers, while recent evidence indicates that micro-exercise interventions can reduce combined neck and shoulder pain and improve neck disability among sedentary workers. These findings support a multimodal approach in which acupressure may be considered as a complementary strategy rather than a substitute for ergonomic improvement, exercise, or clinical care.