Acupressure Points For Sympathetic Nervous System

Acupressure has been used for thousands of years as part of Chinese medicine treatments. Instead of utilizing needles, a Chinese medicine practitioner will use her fingers or a special instrument to press specific points on the body that may help to rebalance your energy, or qi. Acupressure may even be effective in helping to relieve stress, which is part of the sympathetic nervous response. This response is often called the fight-or-flight response, and is linked to chronic stress and anxiety.

Fight or Flight

The fight-or-flight response is often associated with a fearful or life-threatening situation. In reality, however, this process is occurs whenever you are faced with what your mind perceives as a stressful situation. Whether you are trapped in an elevator or just worried about being late for work, your body handles these situations in the same manner. According to Mayoclinic.com, a gland in your brain called the hypothalamus perceives the stress and sends signals to other parts of your brain. In essence an "alarm system," this chain of events eventually leads to your adrenal glands producing cortisol, the stress hormone, as well as noradrenaline and adrenaline. These substances are all geared toward helping you run or fight with as much energy as possible.

Chinese Medicine Theory

While Western science may put emphasis on the brain in treating stress and anxiety, Chinese medicine believes it has more to do with internal organ imbalances. The energetic qualities of your organs are of greater importance than your organs' physical presence; thus, imbalances are not necessarily a physical disorder, although physical manifestations of disease can occur. According to Acupuncture.com, generalized anxiety disorder is referred to as Shan You Si or YuZhen, and can stem from disorders of the spleen, liver, kidneys and heart. Each case of stress or over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system is unique; therefore, each recommendation for treatment will be different. Talk to your doctor before trying acupressure.

Spleen

The spleen is in charge of thought, among other functions of the body. According to Acupuncture.com, when you are overly worried, experience ruminating thought patterns and over-focus on one topic, you may have an imbalance in your spleen's energy, or qi. "A Manual of Acupuncture" by Peter Deadman lists spleen points one and two for relief of agitation, anxiety and insomnia associated with spleen qi imbalances. Spleen one is located on the big toe, at the corner of the outside of the nail. Spleen two is on the same side of the big toe, in the depression formed from the meeting of the toe and the ball of the foot.

Liver

In Chinese medicine, the liver maintains the smooth flow of qi; when qi gets stuck or is absent, you can feel angry and frustrated. Acupuncture.com states that liver imbalances are associated with emotions like anger, resentment, frustration and irritability. If you experience any of these emotions in stressful circumstances, your practitioner may choose to stimulate liver points two and three. Liver two is located in between the big and second toes, according to "A Manual of Acupuncture," close to the edge of the webbing. Liver three is found between the same toes, but in the depression between the foot bones.

Heart

The heart houses your shen, or spirit. Chinese medicine theory believes that anxiety, nervousness and stress are related to disorders of the spirit. Thus, points like heart five and six are especially recommended for fright, panic and heart palpitations. Your practitioner will find heart five on the underside of your wrist, on the pinkie side, approximately 1 inch below the wrist crease. Heart six is aligned with heart five, but located half an inch closer to the wrist crease, states "A Manual of Acupuncture."

Kidney

Kidney imbalances can lead to increased propensity to stress or fright. Acupuncture.com states that kidney dysfunction often manifests in fear, insecurity and weak willpower. Two points that may help alleviate these symptoms are kidney one and kidney six. Kidney one is found on the sole of the foot, one third of the distance between the base of the second toe and the heel, in a depression formed when the foot is flexed. Kidney six is located below the inside ankle bone, about 1 inch below the highest point of the ankle bone.