Acupressure
Acupressure involves applying pressure on specific places on your body to relieve several side effects of cancer and cancer treatments.
Acupressure at a glance
Acupressure applies pressure at acupoints—specific places on your body—for targeted effects, such as releasing muscle tension or promoting blood circulation.
Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed RCTs, or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) links acupressure to less pain, less nausea and vomiting, and better sleep quality. Other benefits include less anxiety, breathlessness, depression, or fatigue. Some evidence shows better hemoglobin concentrations during chemotherapy.
This review summarizes acupressure. We discuss related therapies in these reviews:
CancerChoices ratings for acupressure
We rate acupressure on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest.
See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See More- No published evidence that acupressure has been investigated for improving treatment outcomes
Optimizing your body terrain
See More- Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed RCTs, or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher markers of immune activation among people with lung cancer undergoing cancer treatment and treated with acupoint stimulation
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better blood sugar levels among people with type 2 diabetes
- See How can acupressure help you? What the research says ›
Managing side effects and promoting wellness
See More- Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better sleep quality without regard to cancer treatment phase among people with cancer treated with acupressure
- Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed RCTs, or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less cancer-related depression among people treated with acupressure
- Modest evidence of less cancer-related pain among people treated with auricular acupressure
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less less severe pain among women with breast cancer treated with relaxing acupressure, but less pain interference among those treated with stimulating acupressure
- Preliminary evidence of less pain during bone marrow biopsy among people with cancer treated with acupressure
- Preliminary evidence of better hemoglobin concentrations
- Preliminary evidence of less anxiety or fatigue either without regard to treatment phase or during chemotherapy among people with cancer treated with acupressure
- Preliminary evidence of lower frequency and intensity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among women with breast cancer
- Preliminary evidence of better sleep quality during chemotherapy among people with cancer treated with acupressure
- See How can acupressure help you? What the research says ›
Reducing cancer risk
See More- No published evidence that acupressure has been investigated for reducing risk of cancer or recurrence
Use by integrative oncology experts
See More- Mentioned with a moderate or weak recommendation in clinical practice guidelines
- Used by one of our reference programs
- See How do experts use acupressure? ›
Safety
See More- Generally safe, with only minor side effects
- See Safety and precautions ›
Affordability and access
See More- Widely available without restriction
- Self-acupressure has no cost
- Moderate cost (under $2000 US/year) for professional services
- See Affordability and access ›
Helpful links
Keep reading about acupressure
Author
Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher, program manager, and writer for CancerChoices. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.
Reviewer
Dr. Ryan served as a research associate for CancerChoices. She is a licensed and board certified naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Oregon. Dr. Ryan is the founder of Gentle Natural Wellness, a clinic specializing in bridging classical Chinese medicine with naturopathic medicine to provide individualized, compassionate care for people in the community. A Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine with honors from the National University of Natural Medicine, research in medical anthropology at the University of Hawai’i and George Mason University, language and culture programs at Obirin University (Tokyo) and Sogang University (Seoul), and studies of Chinese herbal medicine and qigong in China have provided a diverse background that has helped form a foundation for her community health and healing path.
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Last update: May 9, 2023
Last full literature review: September 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
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