How Acupressure and Modern Technology Alleviate Pain and Anxiety

In today’s healthcare landscape, there is an ever-growing need for safe, non-addictive treatments for managing pain and anxiety. While medications have their place, overreliance on pills—especially opioids—can lead to a cycle of dependency and side effects. Enter acupressure: a time-honoured, non-invasive technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses gentle pressure on specific points in the body to relieve pain and anxiety.

A study titled “Beyond Pills: Acupressure Impact on Self-Rated Pain and Anxiety Scores” reveals how this therapy offers meaningful relief across various settings. Conducted by a team led by Elizabeth Monson, the study highlights how acupressure protocols can be an effective, low-risk intervention in both healthcare facilities and public environments.

The Power of Acupressure in Healthcare

The study analyzed 519 treatments provided to hospitalized patients, healthcare workers, and the general public, focusing on changes in self-rated pain and anxiety scores. Participants rated their pain and anxiety on a 0–10 scale, both before and after a 16-point acupressure protocol designed to release stress. The results were promising:

• Pain reduction: Across all participants, pain scores dropped by an average of two points. Hospital patients, often the most stressed and in pain, saw a remarkable four-point reduction.
• Anxiety reduction: Anxiety scores decreased even more significantly, with an average four-point drop overall. For hospitalized patients, scores decreased by five points post-treatment.

Notably, nurses—who often experience high stress—saw a three-point drop in pain and four-point drop in anxiety, underscoring acupressure’s potential to support not only patients but also healthcare providers.

How Acupressure Works

Acupressure works by stimulating points along the body’s energy meridians, which are believed to balance physiological and psychological functions. Unlike acupuncture, it doesn’t break the skin, minimizing infection risks and making it accessible for self-administration under guidance. The study’s protocol includes 16 targeted points that participants reported as highly effective, with 75% of participants rating their experience as highly satisfactory.

Broader Implications: More Than Just Pain Relief

As healthcare systems increasingly adopt integrative therapies, the study’s findings are timely. In fact, since 2018, the Joint Commission has recommended nonpharmacologic treatments as part of pain management, especially for reducing dependency on opioids. Acupressure is easy to learn, cost-effective, and, as the study shows, produces real-time results, often in less than 30 minutes—comparable to the onset time of many pain medications.

The Future of Acupressure in Modern Healthcare

Although this study is a retrospective analysis, it paves the way for future research, potentially through controlled trials comparing acupressure directly with pharmacologic interventions. This would further validate its role in clinical settings as a reliable alternative or supplement to traditional medication, particularly in pain and anxiety management.

As we continue to seek safer, more effective ways to address pain and anxiety, acupressure presents itself as a potent tool in modern medicine’s toolkit—one that prioritizes patient satisfaction, minimizes risk, and offers relief without the need for pills.

Modern Innovations: The OGAWA Master Sensei Massage Chair

For those looking to incorporate acupressure benefits into their daily routines, the OGAWA Master Sensei Massage Chair offers an advanced solution. Equipped with 4D massage technology, this chair intelligently adapts to each user’s body, delivering targeted acupressure and massage tailored to relieve tension and combat stress. With precise positioning on key acupressure points, the Master Sensei replicates the effects of traditional acupressure therapy—providing a soothing, effective experience in the comfort of home.

Click here to learn more.

Reference 

Monson, Elizabeth et al. “Beyond Pills: Acupressure Impact on Self-Rated Pain and Anxiety Scores.” Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) vol. 25,5 (2019): 517-521. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0422