Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but without the needles. Instead, the practitioner uses fingers, hands or tools (e.g., rollers) to apply pressure on special points of the body.

Like acupuncture, acupressure is based upon the ancient Chinese belief in many invisible pathways, or meridians, that channel qi (life force) through the body. Illness and pain are seen as the result of interrupted flow of qi. The aim of acupressure is to restore the flow of qi through pressure on points in the meridians where qi is abundant. These acupressure points are believed to correlate with the acupuncture points sought by acupuncturists.

Acupressure may be used to treat symptoms of many conditions. These include fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and myofascial pain syndrome. It is also used to prevent motion sickness and relieve nausea.

Before acupressure, the practitioner will typically ask the patient many questions to decide how and where to treat. The patient will be placed in a comfortable position, and the practitioner will apply pressure with fingers, hands or tools by massaging or pressing points in the meridians. The patient may be shown how to self-administer some forms of acupressure and will typically return for more sessions regularly.

Acupressure may relieve nausea and pain. Other benefits may include relaxation, stress relief and depression relief. Few risks or negative effects have been associated with acupressure.

Although acupressure has some advantages over acupuncture (e.g., it can be self-administered, it does not involve needles), acupuncture has been better researched and has demonstrated greater effectiveness. The effectiveness of acupressure is inconclusive and not well documented. More research needs to be conducted before acupressure can be relied upon.