Pressure points found on the feet are often used in acupuncture, acupressure and relaxation techniques and massage styles. Knowing where these pressure points are allow for self-massage that helps relieve tension, pain and increase mental alertness. Pressure points found on the feet are also used in reflexology, a practice that is believed to offer healing benefits, including reduced depression and anxiety and as a stress management technique.
For serious medical conditions, including psychological disorders, consult your physician to determine the best course of treatment.
Achilles Tendon
Place the fingers and the thumb on each side of the Achilles tendon, located directly behind the ankle on the back of your foot, between the heel and the bottom of your calm. Gently squeeze, moving up and down this area to help relieve anxiety, fear or to help improve function of the kidneys, according to PressthePoint.com, a website dedicated to body pressure points. Known as the 'Bigger Stream' in traditional Chinese medicine and acupressure, the point is also believed to reduce swollen feet, ankle pain and help relieve weariness and fatigue, according to Acupressure.com.
Top of Foot
A pressure point located on the top of your foot may help relieve stress and frustration, and is believed to help improve kidney function. The point may be located by placing your bare foot on the floor. Locate the "V" created in the bones between your big and second toes. About an inch down from the junction of the toes, press down with the pad of your finger, suggests PressthePoint.com. You should not be feeling bone here, only skin and muscle tissue. Press this area firmly for several seconds and then release.
Big Toe Press
Locate the lower right protion of your big toe nail, or the bottom of the inside portion of the toenail. Press the area surrounding the cuticle firmly with the pad of your index finger to help increase a sense of confidence and self-esteem, suggests PressthePoint.com.
Yong Quan
The yong quan pressure point is found just mid line of the pad of the foot, according to Chinese-Holistic-Health-Exercises.com. You can do this yourself or have someone else do it for you. Locate the point directly in the middle of the underside of the pad of the foot where your arch starts. Press the pad of the thumb firmly into this area and kneed the area for a couple of minutes, pressing firmly but not hard enough to cause. This pressure point is believed to help restore and maintain health and function of the kidneys. Repeat with the other foot.
