What does acupressure mean?
Acupressure is a healing technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine in which firm, sustained pressure is applied with the fingers, thumbs, or hands to specific points on the body — the same points targeted by acupuncture, but without needles. Practitioners believe these points lie along channels of vital energy, and that stimulating them can relieve pain, ease nausea, reduce tension, and promote general wellbeing. The word is an uncountable noun used chiefly in health, wellness, and alternative-medicine contexts, appearing in phrases such as 'acupressure points' and 'acupressure massage'. Its connotations are generally gentle and non-invasive; it is frequently presented as a self-help remedy anyone can apply at home. While scientific evidence for its effectiveness remains limited and mixed, acupressure is widely practised around the world and is a useful word for anyone navigating discussions of complementary therapies.
nounA therapeutic technique, derived from traditional Chinese medicine, in which pressure is applied with the fingers or hands to specific points on the body to relieve pain or promote healing.
- The practice of applying manual pressure to specific points on the body to relieve pain, reduce stress, or treat ailments, based on principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
"She used acupressure on her wrists to ease the nausea during the flight."
"The physiotherapist recommended daily acupressure to help manage her chronic lower-back pain."
"Passengers are often advised to try acupressure on the P6 wrist point to calm travel sickness."
Rarely used; acupressure is almost always treated as an uncountable noun referring to the technique as a whole.
"Different schools teach slightly different styles of acupressures."
Acupressure works on the same body points as acupuncture — just without a single needle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of acupressure
The word acupressure was formed in English from the Latin root acus, meaning 'needle', combined with 'pressure', making it a sibling term of acupuncture, which entered English earlier. The Latin acus also gives us words such as acute and acumen, all built on the idea of sharpness or piercing. Acupressure itself arose in the twentieth century as Western interest grew in Chinese pressure-point therapies such as shiatsu.
How acupressure is actually used
A neutral, uncountable noun used mainly in health and wellness contexts. It carries no strong register — equally at home in clinical writing and lifestyle journalism — though it is often discussed alongside complementary and alternative medicine.
Easily confused with acupressure
Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted into the skin at specific points, whereas acupressure uses only manual finger or hand pressure on those same points.