Safety of acupressure

When pursuing any kind of therapy, most people will often wonder whether or not the treatment in question is safe and effective. Safety is the paramount concern of medical staff and alternative therapy practitioners.

Acupressure is a practice that stems from the ancient Chinese alternative therapy called acupuncture. Both techniques share the same philosophical basis, however they differ in how they achieve their therapeutic goals. While acupuncture aims to stimulate healing and recovery by means of fine acupuncture needles driven into particular points of the body, acupressure stimulates these same points through the application of pressure.


In this article we look at the safety of acupressure and whether there is anything to be concerned about.

Safety concerns during acupressure

While acupressure is, in many ways, part of acupuncture, the technique does not share the safe safety considerations. The major concerns during the application of acupuncture are injury to vital organs through the incorrect insertion of needles and infection. Both of these risks are caused by the use of needles to penetrate the skin. Acupuncture in the hands of a trained and qualified acupuncturist is considered extremely safe.

Acupressure carries its own safety concerns, although these are quite different to those borne by the needle based parent practice of acupuncture. The main concern with acupressure is the excessive application of force when treating a patient in a manner that causes injury or damage. This is usually very rare and limited to inexperienced practitioners. With proper training a practitioner of acupuncture will apply the treatment using appropriate force to achieve their therapeutic goals.

Receiving safe acupressure treatment

There are two main considerations when it comes to getting safe and reliable acupressure treatment. The first is ensuring that your treatment provider is both adequately qualified and experienced. In many cases acupressure is actually provided by acupuncturists who have received training in this particular area. While there is no statutory regulation of acupuncturists here in the UK, there are voluntary organisations which practitioners can join. These organisations are responsible for monitoring and regulating members, ensuing that they abide by certain standards and codes of conduct. Finding a practitioner who is a member of these organisations, like the British Acupuncture Council, is a good way to ensure that you are in safe hands.

Secondly if you are pursuing acupressure treatment as a solution to a condition, it is often advisable to consult your doctor. This is particularly true where you are suffering from a condition that requires complex management. Your doctor’s experience and knowledge can help you determine whether acupressure can be beneficial, or if it can potentially affect your condition in adverse ways. The latter is extremely rare, however it is advisable to err on the side of caution and consult a qualified medical professional.

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