VA highlights acupressure as a self-care tool for managing stress

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is promoting acupressure, a massage technique people can do on their own, as one way to help manage stress, according to a November 9, 2026 post in the department's LiveWholeHealth series.

The VA said some stress can be healthy, but too much can cause problems such as trouble sleeping, irritability or fatigue. The department listed several ways to reduce stress: getting sleep and time to relax, taking breaks from social media and news, practicing gratitude, moving your body and eating healthy.

According to the VA, acupressure, like acupuncture, focuses on specific points along meridians, or energy channels, which Traditional East Asian Medicine holds can be targeted to support well-being and reduce stress. The department advised pressing or gently massaging the points for about 30 seconds, using comfortable pressure that is not painful, several times a day.

The post includes a video led by Erika Marie, an acupuncturist and Army veteran at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. The VA said the video is not meant to replace medical treatment and that people unsure whether the routine suits them should talk with their healthcare provider first.

The department noted that veterans in emotional crisis can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255 or chatting online.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/911