Shiatsu and Acupressure Points: Uses, Benefits and What to Know

2025-09-03

A women enjoying back shaitsu massage at a spa

Your neck is stiff, your legs are still heavy from the trek, and every guide you open uses “Shiatsu” and “acupressure” as if they mean the same thing. They don’t.

Keep scrolling and you’ll find confident promises that one pressure point can fix everything from headaches to high blood pressure, which leaves you more confused than when you started.

This guide sorts it out. You’ll see how Shiatsu and acupressure actually differ, where the most common acupressure points are and what they are traditionally used for, what a session feels like, and who should skip it.

There are no miracle claims, just a clear picture so you know what to expect before you book a session or press a single point.

What Is Acupressure?

Acupressure is a hands-on technique in which a practitioner applies steady pressure to specific points on the body, usually with the thumbs or fingers. It comes from traditional Chinese medicine, which describes these points (called acupoints) as lying along channels known as meridians, where qi, or vital energy, is said to flow.

The main difference from acupuncture is that acupressure uses no needles. Acupuncture inserts thin needles into the same kinds of points, while acupressure relies on pressure alone.

What Is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork. The word means “finger pressure,” and the practice draws on Japanese manual therapy and Chinese medicine concepts. Therapists use thumbs, palms, and sometimes elbows or knees, and traditionally the client stays clothed.

The key difference from acupressure is scope. Acupressure concentrates on individual points, while Shiatsu works across the whole body in a flowing sequence, often along the same meridian lines. Shiatsu includes pressure on points, but it is better described as a full session of bodywork than a point-by-point technique.

Common Acupressure Points and Their Traditional Uses

Traditional systems describe hundreds of acupoints, but a small group appears again and again in massage and self-care guides. The table below lists ten of them, with where each sits and what it is traditionally associated with.

Point	Location	Traditionally associated with
LI4 (Hegu)	Back of the hand, in the web between thumb and index finger	Headache, face and head tension, general discomfort
Yintang	Between the eyebrows	Calming the mind, forehead tension, headache
GB20 (Fengchi)	Hollows at the base of the skull, either side of the neck muscles	Neck stiffness, tension headache
GV20 (Baihui)	Top of the head, on the midline	Calm, mental clarity
HT7 (Shenmen)	Wrist crease, on the little-finger side	Stress, restlessness, sleep
LV3 (Taichong)	Top of the foot, in the groove between the big toe and second toe	Tension, irritability, stress
LI20 (Yingxiang)	Beside the nostrils	Nasal and sinus pressure
ST36 (Zusanli)	About four finger-widths below the kneecap, just outside the shinbone	Digestion, tired legs, low energy
SP6 (Sanyinjiao)	Inner lower leg, about four finger-widths above the ankle bone	Digestion, menstrual comfort
CV12 (Zhongwan)	Midline of the upper abdomen, halfway between the navel and the base of the breastbone	Digestive comfort

These associations come from traditional practice. They are not proof that pressing a point can diagnose, treat, or prevent a disease, and practitioners may use different points depending on the person and the session.

If you try points on yourself, use gentle, steady pressure for around a minute while breathing slowly. It should feel firm but comfortable, never sharply painful.

LI4 and SP6 are traditionally avoided during pregnancy, so skip them and ask a qualified practitioner instead.

Uses and Potential Benefits of Shiatsu and Acupressure

People mostly use Shiatsu and acupressure as a complement to other self-care, not as a replacement for medical treatment. The benefits are modest and vary from person to person.

Research on massage and acupressure is still developing, and many studies are small, so the honest picture is that it may help some people with some things. The most common reasons people try it fall into three groups.

Headache and Tension

Neck and head points such as LI4, Yintang, and GB20 are the usual starting points for tension-type headaches.

Research on related practices such as acupuncture suggests some benefit for tension headaches and migraine, but those results should not be assumed to apply to every acupressure technique. Frequent, severe, or sudden headaches need medical evaluation.

Stress and Relaxation

This is where pressure-based massage fits most naturally. Focused pressure, slow pacing, and a quiet room can leave you calmer, and points such as GV20, HT7, and LV3 are often included in sessions meant to settle the body and mind.

Acupressure is not a treatment for anxiety disorders or depression.

Muscle Tension and General Comfort

Slow, steady pressure on the neck, shoulders, back, and legs can loosen tightness built up from long walks, desk work, or days of travel. If you’re on the move, our guide on how to take care of your body while traveling has more ways to stay comfortable.

Some people also use LI20 for a blocked or congested feeling in the nose, but evidence for that is limited.

What Else Makes It Appealing

Shiatsu and acupressure feel different from a standard oil massage because the work is more targeted or more rhythmic. They also sit well alongside rest, movement, and good sleep, but they do not replace medical care.

What to Expect During a Session

Sessions vary by therapist and treatment style, but they usually follow a similar pattern:

You discuss your general needs, any areas of discomfort, and relevant health conditions.
You are positioned comfortably, lying down or seated.
The therapist applies pressure to chosen points or areas using thumbs, fingers, palms, or other hands-on techniques.
Pressure is adjusted to your comfort throughout.
The session ends with a short period of rest.

You should feel firm, steady pressure, sometimes with a dull ache at a point. Sharp or excessive pain is not the goal. Tell your therapist right away if something hurts. Check the clothing, duration, and price for your chosen treatment when you book, as these differ between spas.

Acupressure vs. Shiatsu vs. Regular Massage

	Acupressure	Shiatsu	Regular (e.g. Swedish) massage
Origin	Traditional Chinese medicine	Japan	Varies by style
Main approach	Pressure on specific points	Whole-body pressure sequences	Kneading and gliding strokes on soft tissue
Typical focus	Individual points	Overall body balance and tension	Muscles and relaxation
Clothing and oil	Often clothed	Traditionally clothed, no oil	Usually oil, with draping
Feel	Targeted, firm	Rhythmic, firm	Flowing, often lighter

Shiatsu is itself a form of massage, so the real question is which style suits you. If you want focused pressure on tight spots, acupressure may appeal. If you want a slower, whole-body session, Shiatsu may fit better. If you prefer a flowing, oil-based treatment, a regular massage may be the better choice.

Is Acupressure or Shiatsu Safe?

For most healthy adults, a session with a trained therapist carries low risk. Mild soreness afterward is common and usually passes quickly. Even so, it is not suitable for everyone in every situation.

Tell your therapist before the session if you:

are pregnant (some points are traditionally avoided)
take blood thinners or have a bleeding or clotting disorder
have a recent injury, fracture, or surgery
have osteoporosis, a skin infection, open wounds, or varicose veins in the area being treated
have a fever or an acute illness
are receiving treatment for a serious condition such as cancer

In these cases the therapist may adjust the pressure or avoid certain areas, and your doctor can advise whether the treatment is appropriate. Do not use acupressure to delay care for persistent pain, unexplained symptoms, or a diagnosed condition.

Shiatsu and Acupressure in Pokhara

Pokhara is a natural place to try pressure-based bodywork. After days of trekking around the Annapurna region or long walks around Phewa Lake, many visitors look for a slower, hands-on treatment, and residents often want a break from the pace of work.

At Ayurveda Spa & Salon in Lakeside, you can browse the spa menu and massage services to see current treatments, durations, and prices, then book your session.

Final Thoughts

Acupressure applies pressure to specific points, while Shiatsu is a Japanese bodywork style that works through the whole body. Both can offer a relaxing, hands-on experience that feels different from a standard massage, and both are best understood as complementary practices.

If you are curious, choose a treatment based on the experience you want and tell your therapist about any injuries, medications, pregnancy, or health conditions first. If you are in Pokhara, you can find a session on the Ayurveda Spa & Salon or book directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupressure actually work?

It may help with some symptoms, such as certain kinds of pain, nausea, and stress, but the evidence is mixed and often limited by small studies. It is best seen as a complementary practice, not a cure for any disease.
Is acupressure painful?

You will feel deliberate pressure, and a dull ache at a tender point is normal. It should never be sharp or unbearable. Ask the therapist to ease off if it is too much.
Is Shiatsu the same as acupressure?

No. Both use pressure, but acupressure targets specific points from Chinese medicine, while Shiatsu is a Japanese bodywork style that works across the whole body.
What should I wear to a Shiatsu or acupressure session?

Traditional Shiatsu is done with the client clothed, so loose, comfortable clothing works well. Spa practices differ, so confirm with the spa when you book.
How often should I have a session?

There is no single standard. Some people go occasionally for relaxation, others more regularly during periods of heavy physical activity or stress. Talk to your therapist about what suits you.
Can I press these points at home?

Yes, gentle self-massage on points like LI4 or GB20 is generally low risk for healthy adults. Use light to moderate pressure, stop if it hurts, and avoid LI4 and SP6 if you are pregnant.
Can acupressure help with stress?

It can be part of a relaxation routine, and many people find the slow, focused pressure calming. It is not a substitute for professional care if you are dealing with persistent anxiety or low mood.
Can acupressure replace medical treatment?

No. Use it alongside, not instead of, care from a doctor, especially for ongoing pain, high blood pressure, or any diagnosed condition.

Table of ContentsToggle Table of ContentToggle

Shiatsu and Acupressure Points: Uses, Benefits and What to Know

What Is Acupressure?

What Is Shiatsu?

Common Acupressure Points and Their Traditional Uses