“Is acupressure good for diabetes?” can be a question on your mind if you seek natural ways to support blood sugar levels. Acupressure uses gentle pressure on key areas of your body to help with circulation and relaxation.
You might wonder how pressing your skin could affect the body systems that control blood sugar. This article explores how acupressure may aid in managing diabetes and what you need to know before you begin.
What Is Acupressure?
Acupressure comes from ancient traditions of healing and uses the idea that energy moves through pathways in your body. In acupressure, you press on certain places on your skin to help unblock energy and boost circulation. You do not use needles.
Instead, you use your fingers, palms, or special tools to press on points that link to organs or body functions. For diabetes care, the goal is to use these points to support the organs that make and store insulin and to help your body use glucose better.
As your circulation improves, you may feel more relaxed and better able to handle stress. You press on each point for a minute or two, and you can repeat the process daily.
How Acupressure Works in the Body
When you press on a point during acupressure, you may feel a slight ache or warmth under your fingertip. This sensation can mean that the area beneath your skin is responding. Holding steady pressure increases circulation in that region, delivering more oxygen to nearby muscles and tissues.
When tissue gets enough oxygen, it can release tiny blockages or knots that may have formed there. These knots can cause tension or pain. As tension eases, more blood can move through your veins and capillaries.
When circulation improves, your organs can work with less stress. Your body uses signals from nerves and small blood vessels to tell your brain that it can relax and let go of tightness. As your muscles relax, your brain can shift into a calmer state.
Connection Between Stress and Blood Sugar
Stress is one of the key factors that can cause a spike in blood sugar. When you’re under stress, your brain signals the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prompt your liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream to give your body a quick burst of energy.
If your body already struggles to process insulin or has excess sugar, this added glucose can push blood sugar levels even higher. You may feel fatigued, dehydrated, or sluggish as a result. Over time, frequent spikes can lead to nerve damage and impact your blood vessels.
Practicing acupressure may help calm your nervous system, reducing the number of stress hormones your body releases. This calmer state helps your liver hold onto its sugar reserves rather than sending them into the bloodstream. When stress levels decrease, your liver and muscles may absorb glucose more effectively.
Key Acupressure Points for Blood Sugar Support
Certain acupressure points on the body connect to organs that play a role in blood sugar regulation. One such point lies between the base of your thumb and index finger. Applying gentle pressure here may ease digestive discomfort and promote a sense of calm. Improved circulation in this area can help your stomach and pancreas function more efficiently, which supports insulin production.
Another helpful spot is located near your inner ankle, just behind the prominent bone. Pressing this point may support your kidneys and adrenal glands – two key players in maintaining hormonal balance. A third point can be found on your lower leg, just below the knee. Stimulating this area may direct energy toward your stomach and spleen, both of which contribute to the production and storage of insulin.
The final point lies on your forearm, close to the wrist crease. Pressing this spot may help your liver process toxins more effectively and potentially improve how your body uses insulin.
Practical Steps to Try Out
To begin an acupressure routine, find a quiet place to sit or lie down where you won’t be interrupted. Take a deep breath to settle your body and mind.
Start with the point between your thumb and index finger. Use your opposite thumb to apply firm but comfortable pressure for about sixty seconds. Breathe slowly through your nose and out through your mouth during this time.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth as you press. When sixty seconds pass, move to the point on your lower leg. You can find it by measuring four finger widths down from your knee and one finger width to the outside. Press there with your thumb for sixty seconds. If you feel discomfort, ease up until the pressure feels gentle.
After you press there, slide to the inner ankle point. You can trace up from the tip of the inner ankle bone four finger widths and then press into the soft spot just behind the bone. Hold for sixty seconds. Finally, find the point on your forearm by turning your palm up and locating the crease where your arm bends.
Measure two finger widths down from that crease and press into the soft spot just beside the main muscle. Hold for sixty seconds. As you press each spot, pay attention to how your body reacts. If you feel a rush of warmth or a sudden release of tension, that can mean the spot is active.
Working With Your Healthcare Team
Your doctor can guide you on how acupressure fits into your treatment. Before you begin, share your plan and ask if any points may need extra care for your health conditions.
If you have kidney issues or take blood thinners, your doctor may want you to press more gently or avoid certain spots. Your dietitian can help you match acupressure with meal plans that help keep your blood sugar stable. A diabetes educator can show you how to track your readings and connect the dots between your meals, movement, and acupressure sessions.
By keeping your team informed, you can be certain that each step you take fits your overall plan. Your team may also notice small shifts in your readings or how you feel. They can then adjust your medicine or suggest other ways to help you succeed. When you work together, you can feel more confident that each step you take supports your health.
How To Track Your Progress
When you begin acupressure, keep a simple journal. Write the date and the time you pressed. Note which points you used and how long you held each.
Before you press, check your fasting blood sugar reading and write it down. If you take medicine, record the dose. After you press and rest for a few minutes, take another reading. Over days and weeks, you can watch if your numbers shift.
Furthermore, write down how you feel. Do you feel less anxious or more settled? Do your muscles feel looser? Do you sleep more soundly? These small notes help you see patterns. You may find that on days you press longer or hold more often, your body feels calmer and your readings stay steadier.
Share your journal with your doctor at checkups. That way, your doctor can see how acupressure fits with your medication and overall plan. This record can help you make smart changes instead of guessing if you should press more or less.
Benefits Beyond Blood Sugar Control
Acupressure may offer support that extends beyond managing blood sugar. Stimulating points connected to your digestive system can help ease bloating and promote a more comfortable feeling after meals.
As circulation improves, your muscles may recover more quickly from walks or workouts. For those experiencing nerve sensitivity due to high blood sugar, applying pressure to points on the hands or feet may help reduce tingling or prickly sensations.
With regular practice, acupressure can also promote a lasting sense of calm. Feeling more at ease can make it easier to choose balanced meals and follow a steady routine. Supporting your liver through targeted pressure points may boost your energy levels by helping your body eliminate toxins more efficiently.
Over time, as your body works with less tension and more blood flow, you may notice that you feel lighter in your step and more able to move without pain. Even if your blood sugar does not change overnight, you can feel the benefits of relaxation in your mind and body.
Combining Acupressure with Diet and Exercise
Acupressure is most effective when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Choosing whole grains, vegetables, and other foods that support balanced blood sugar provides a strong nutritional foundation. Gentle movements, such as daily walks or light stretching, can help your muscles use sugar more effectively while strengthening your heart.
Incorporating acupressure may help reduce cravings by calming your nervous system, making it easier to avoid sugary snacks. That sense of calm can also make it simpler to plan meals and stay consistent with your goals. Both exercise and acupressure help improve circulation and support how your body processes sugar.
There’s no need for intense workouts. A short, daily walk can help your body use sugar for energy while relieving stiffness in your legs and feet. When these practices come together, they help create a more balanced and supportive environment for your health.
Safety And Precautions
Acupressure is safe for most people when done correctly. Before you begin, check with your doctor to confirm that adding acupressure fits your overall plan. If you have heart problems or use blood thinners, pressing on certain points may require extra care.
Pregnancy also calls for special guidance since some points can trigger uterine activity. If you have nerve damage or open sores where you plan to press, skip those areas until they heal.
Always use clean hands to avoid spreading germs. If pressed too hard, you can bruise the skin or cause soreness. Should you feel sharp pain, stop immediately. If you notice dizziness, sit down and rest until the feeling fades.
At Messina Acupuncture, we help people learn how to press safely and effectively on the points that support blood sugar and overall health. We guide you on posture, breathing, and how to press without causing soreness.
In our East Setauket, New York location, we take time to show you which points fit your needs and how often to press. We help you build a routine that fits your day and feels easy to follow. As you learn to press, we track your progress with you and adjust the plan as needed.
If you want help learning these techniques with a caring expert, please contact us to begin your journey.