How to Use Acupressure When You Feel Stuck

If you’ve been feeling stuck in life, you’re not alone – it’s a confusing and often upsetting experience. Days can blur together, and it may feel like what you do doesn’t matter. You might feel like your efforts to change things in your life are pointless, and all of your emotions stay trapped in your body. You may want to move forward, but it feels like you’re stuck. During these times, many people reach for quick fixes that offer temporary relief but don’t address the core imbalances.

For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has recognized this phenomenon as Qi Stagnation, especially Liver Qi Stagnation. In Chinese medicine, the Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When certain situations or emotions impede this flow, individuals may feel physically, mentally, and emotionally blocked. Acupressure offers simple, effective techniques you can practice at home to help release stagnation and release that stuck feeling.

Important to note: Acupressure supports physical and nervous system patterns behind feeling stuck but does not replace mental health care for depression, anxiety, or other conditions needing professional support. If taking psychiatric medications like benzodiazepines, do not stop them without consulting your provider. Acupressure can help but is an adjunct, not a substitute.

Here are ten acupressure points that can offer some relief:

What Acupressure Points to Press and Why

Each acupressure point targets a specific aspect of the “stuck” pattern. You can apply them one at a time or follow the complete protocol daily for ongoing maintenance.

1. Press on LR3 on the top of your foot for Liver Qi movement. LR3 sits on the top of the foot in the webbing between the first and second toes, about two finger-widths back from the web. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes on each foot. LR3 is called “Taichong” or “Great Rushing” and is the primary Liver Qi moving point.

In Chinese medicine, the Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi and carries emotional patterns of frustration and stagnation. LR3 directly addresses the Liver Qi Stagnation pattern that produces the stuck feeling. This is the foundational point for anyone dealing with chronic feelings of being stuck.

2. Press on LR2 on the top of your foot for Liver Fire clearing. LR2 sits on the top of the foot in the webbing between the first and second toes at the web margin, about one finger-width forward of LR3. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes on each foot. LR2 is called “Xingjian” or “Moving Between” and is the Fire point of the Liver meridian.

When feelings of being stuck have been building over time, the Liver Qi Stagnation often transforms into Liver Fire. This shows up as irritability rising to anger, heat in the head or chest, and internal pressure. LR2 addresses this transformation directly and complements LR3 for comprehensive Liver support.

3. Press on LI4 in the webbing between your thumb and index finger for the Four Gates pairing. LI4 sits in the soft tissue webbing between the thumb and index finger, in the muscle that bulges when the thumb is pressed against the side of the index finger. Press firmly with the thumb of the opposite hand for two to three minutes on each hand. LI4 combined with LR3 forms the Four Gates in Chinese medicine.

The Four Gates combination is one of the strongest Qi moving combinations in the entire acupressure tradition. LI4 and LR3 pressed together move Qi throughout the whole body and address the Qi Stagnation pattern at its core. LI4 is contraindicated during pregnancy.

4. Press on GB40 in front of your outer ankle for Gallbladder decisiveness. GB40 sits on the top of the foot in the depression in front of and below the outer ankle bone, directly in front of the ankle joint. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes on each foot. GB40 is called “Qiuxu” or “Mound of Ruins” and is the Source point of the Gallbladder meridian.

The Gallbladder in Chinese medicine governs decisiveness and the ability to move forward. When patients feel stuck, indecisiveness often accompanies the pattern. GB40 addresses this directly as the Source point of the meridian. The name “Mound of Ruins” reflects the sense of standing on rubble and not knowing which way to go. Very fitting for the point that supports finding the path forward when you cannot see it clearly.

5. Press on GB41 on the top of your foot for the Girdle Vessel opening. GB41 sits on the top of the foot in the depression in front of where the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones meet. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes on each foot. GB41 is called “Zulinqi” or “Foot Governor of Tears” and is the opening point of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel).

The Dai Mai is the only meridian that runs horizontally around the body like a belt binding all the other meridians together. When the Dai Mai is stagnant, Qi cannot circulate freely between the upper and lower body, which produces the sensation of being disconnected or split. GB41 opens this pathway and addresses the horizontal stagnation pattern that other Liver points do not fully reach. Particularly relevant when you feel your thoughts and body are moving in different directions.

6. Press on SP21 on the side of your ribcage for whole-body circulation. SP21 sits on the side of the body in the seventh intercostal space (between the seventh and eighth ribs) on the mid-axillary line, roughly at bra strap level. Press firmly with your fingertips for two to three minutes on each side. SP21 is called “Dabao” or “Great Enveloping” and is the Great Luo point of the Spleen.

SP21 targets the overall sensation of feeling stuck rather than a specific meridian. When you experience a general sense of stagnation without pinpointing its location, SP21 helps promote circulation throughout the entire body. It is especially useful when physical issues such as widespread tension, fatigue, or the feeling that something is off in your body are present.

7. Press on BL47 on your back for the Gate of the Hun. BL47 sits on the back at the level of the lower border of the ninth thoracic vertebra, about three finger-widths to either side of the spine. Press firmly for two to three minutes on each side. BL47 is called “Hunmen” or “Gate of the Hun.”

The Hun is the ethereal soul associated with the Liver in Chinese medicine and governs vision, purpose, and the ability to plan and dream. Chronic feelings of being stuck disturb the Hun by cutting off the sense of forward direction. BL47 addresses this deeper spiritual and existential pattern that other Liver points may not reach.

Because BL47 sits on the mid-back where most people cannot reach it themselves, use one of these workarounds. Have a partner press the point for you. Lie on the floor and place a firm ball (a tennis ball, lacrosse ball, or similar) at the point and lean into it. Or use a wooden or plastic massage tool designed for reaching back points.

8. Press on HT7 at the pinky-side wrist crease for calming the Spirit. HT7 sits at the wrist crease on the pinky side, in the small depression just above the wrist bone. Press gently with your thumb for two to three minutes on each hand. HT7 is called “Shenmen” or “Spirit Gate” in Chinese medicine and directly calms the Shen.

This point addresses the emotional intensity and mental restlessness that chronic feelings of being stuck produce. When the Heart is disturbed by Liver patterns of being stuck, HT7 restores calm to the Shen, allowing clearer thinking and response.

9. Press on Yintang, located in the small hollow between your eyebrows above the nose bridge, to calm the mind. Use your fingertip to apply gentle pressure for two to three minutes. This point stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system directly.

This point addresses the anxious activation that often accompanies feeling stuck. When patients reach for benzodiazepines to manage the feelings of being stuck, the underlying need is often the parasympathetic activation Yintang provides naturally. Even a few minutes of pressure can shift the nervous system state.

10. Press on KI1 on the sole of your foot for grounding the Spirit. KI1 sits on the sole of the foot in the depression that appears when you curl your toes downward, about one-third of the way from the base of the toes to the heel. Press firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes on each foot. KI1 is called “Yongquan” or “Bubbling Spring” and is the first point on the Kidney meridian.

This point directly grounds the nervous system and pulls energy downward from the head, where the mental spiraling about being stuck lives. KI1 also reconnects the body to the ground, which addresses the disconnected feeling that often accompanies chronic feelings of being stuck. Ending the protocol with KI1 provides the natural anchoring effect that reinforces all the movement work of the previous points.

Why These Acupressure Points Work

The “stuck” feeling involves several overlapping patterns and imbalances in Chinese medicine. Acupressure works on several of these patterns at once:

• The Liver Qi movement points (LR3, LR2) directly address the primary pattern underlying feeling stuck.
• The Four Gates pairing (LR3 with LI4) provides the strongest Qi moving combination in the entire acupressure tradition.
• The Gallbladder decisiveness point (GB40) addresses the indecision that accompanies feeling stuck.
• The Girdle Vessel opening point (GB41) addresses the horizontal stagnation that produces the sense of disconnection between upper and lower body.
• The whole-body circulation point (SP21) supports Qi flow throughout the entire body when the stagnation is generalized.
• The Hun point (BL47) addresses the deeper spiritual pattern of lost purpose and direction.
• The Shen calming points (HT7, Yintang) address the emotional intensity and parasympathetic activation needs.
• The grounding point (KI1) reconnects the body to the ground and pulls energy downward from the head.

The ongoing feeling of being stuck can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which in turn contribute to the physical patterns associated with Liver Qi Stagnation.

For patients seeking more insight into the ongoing frustration of feeling stuck, “Why Do I Feel Frustrated All the Time?” explores this pattern in greater detail.

How to Use These Acupressure Points

• In acute moments when feeling stuck peaks, pressing LR3, LI4, and Yintang together produces the fastest response. Even a few minutes of practice in a difficult moment can shift the nervous system and Qi patterns enough to restore clearer thinking.
• For those who chronically feel stuck, working through the full ten-point protocol once a day helps address underlying patterns over time. Ending with KI1 provides the grounding effect that anchors the entire protocol.
• When feeling stuck has turned into anger or heat, LR2 combined with LR3 specifically addresses the Liver Fire pattern.
• For feeling stuck and indecisive about the path forward, GB40 pressed while sitting quietly and considering options often brings clarity.
• For feeling stuck and disconnected from the body or the ground, GB41 and KI1, pressed together, address vertical and horizontal disconnection patterns.
• For whole-body feelings of being stuck, when you cannot identify where the stagnation lives, SP21 pressed with slow, deep breathing supports circulation throughout the body.
• For the deeper existential feelings of being stuck about purpose and direction, BL47 addresses the Hun pattern that other points may not reach.
• Firm sustained pressure works well for most points. Gentle pressure works better for the face point (Yintang).

Pairing acupressure with basic support for emotional blockages enhances the results:

• Regular physical activity such as walking, cycling, or other movements that engage your body.
• Ensuring adequate sleep to support the Liver’s detoxification process.
• Limiting alcohol intake, which directly burdens Liver function.
• Engaging in nervous system practices like breath work and meditation.
• Discussing what feels blocked with trusted individuals instead of internalizing it.
• When possible, temporarily changing your physical environment, even briefly—such as going for a walk outside, altering scenery, or visiting a different place.

When to Get Professional Help

The tools mentioned above help with everyday issues of feeling stuck. However, they are not suitable for addressing serious mental health warning signs.

If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, thoughts of suicide, severe depression that limits your ability to function, panic attacks that are not manageable, or symptoms that are not responding to any approach, please reach out for professional mental health support.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) or reach out to a mental health professional immediately.

For patients currently taking benzodiazepines or other psychiatric medications, do not discontinue them based on this piece. Coordinate any medication changes with your prescribing provider. Acupressure supports the same patterns these medications address and can be part of a coordinated approach that eventually reduces medication reliance, but the tapering process requires professional supervision.

Many patients dealing with a chronic feeling of being stuck also experience anxiety, stress, and depression that require additional focus and attention.

Above and Beyond Acupuncture offers acupuncture, cupping, and lifestyle coaching at the North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard location in Scottsdale.

Schedule an appointment online or call us today to start your healing journey.

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The points above are only as effective as the technique used to apply them. Where to press, how firmly, and for how long all affect the result. For a full breakdown of how to perform acupressure properly at home, read Performing Acupressure in 3 Easy Steps.

About the Publisher

Paul Kerzner, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified herbalist, as well as the founder of Above and Beyond Acupuncture in Scottsdale. His own journey from chronic patient to practicing acupuncturist shapes his commitment to providing honest, clinically grounded information about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Learn more about Paul and his clinical approach on the About Us page.