Role of Acupressure in the Management of Chronic Pain: A Review

Abstract

Chronic pain is a persistent and complex health problem that can affect physical functioning, sleep, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Although pharmacological treatments remain important, interest has increased in complementary approaches that may help patients manage pain. Acupressure is a non-invasive technique involving manual stimulation of selected points on the body and has been investigated as a complementary approach for pain management. This review examines the potential role of acupressure in chronic pain management, with attention to proposed mechanisms, commonly used techniques, evidence from clinical research, effects on pain-related outcomes, practical considerations, safety, and limitations. Previous research suggests that acupressure may reduce pain intensity in selected populations, although the certainty and consistency of evidence vary. Differences in pressure points, treatment duration, intervention intensity, comparison conditions, and outcome measures make direct comparison between studies difficult. Acupressure may be useful as an adjunct to broader pain-management programs, but it should not replace appropriate medical assessment and evidence-based treatment. Further well-designed trials using standardized protocols and longer follow-up are needed.