Effectiveness of Acupressure in Reducing Stress and Anxiety Among Adults

Abstract

Stress and anxiety are common psychological experiences among adults and may negatively affect sleep, concentration, emotional well-being, and everyday functioning. Acupressure is a non-invasive complementary approach that involves applying manual pressure to specific points of the body and has been investigated as a possible method for promoting relaxation and reducing psychological distress. This paper examines the potential effectiveness of acupressure in reducing stress and anxiety among adults. The discussion considers possible physiological and psychological mechanisms, commonly used acupressure approaches, evidence from previous research, and factors that may influence outcomes. Existing studies suggest that acupressure may help reduce perceived stress and anxiety in some adult populations, although findings vary according to population, intervention duration, pressure points, outcome measures, and study design. Acupressure may be particularly useful as a complementary intervention because it is relatively simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive. However, it should not be considered a replacement for professional assessment or evidence-based treatment when anxiety or stress is severe or persistent. Further well-designed clinical studies with standardized protocols and validated outcome measures are needed to establish its effectiveness more conclusively.