Depending on the discipline, acupressure threrapy uses between 200 and 1,000 points, on the body, called Tsubos or Nodes of Ranvier. They are located on chi meridians. The seven chakras are very large tsubos.

Chi flow through tsubos is often directional; therapies, termed balancing, may reverse, shunt or shut down the flow of chi for a specific set of tsubos. Most techniques stimulate a tsubos deeply and briskly using the fingertip in a counterclockwise movement for about 15 to 20 seconds. In general, the therapist never presses a point more than three times a treatment. Often, therapy will stimulate the body  bilaterally, i.e. on both sides of the body or both hands and feet. The final step for an acupressure treatment is usually pressing the tsubos of the kidney meridian to stimulate the elimination of body toxins.

Shiatsu, a Japanese form of acupressure, uses gentle body manipulations. A Shiatsu practitioner squats over you while you lie on a mat on the floor. It can be quite physically demanding for both receiver and practitioner. Jin Shin is a separate discipline noted for a lighter touch which focuses on the movement of chi by breath and visualization. G-Jo is a Fingertip technique making use only of the  tsubos on a person's finger ... it is conceptualized that they reach directly to specific organs. Tui Na is a Chinese form of acupressure which involves pinching and rolling the skin between the fingers while following the course of chi meridians. Still other disciplines may use a therapist's knuckle, thumb or even a blunt instrument, like a pencil, to exert pressure on the tsubos. There is an instrument called an acupressure thumb used in these disciplines to exert pressure. In Sujok, the therapist uses a spiral ring, which you run through your fingers. Magnetic therapy utilizes the same theory however applies magnetic force instead of pressure to the tsubos.

Competent practitioners of acupressure feel that serious disorders should be entrusted to a medical physician. Acupressure is usually used to complement mental health and medical therapies. It has been shown, that acupressure, can reduce stress and improve clinical outcomes.

• Do not use it as a treatment for a chronic, long-standing illness or disorder.

• Do not do it within four hours of taking any drugs, medications, intoxicating food or drinks or medicinal herbs.

• Do not use it if you are taking regular medication.

• If you have a known heart condition or suffer from a disorder involving tissue change or degeneration such as chronic arthritis, cancer, cataracts, tumors or varicose veins.

• Do not use it immediately before or within half an hour after bathing in hot water, eating a heavy meal or doing strenuous physical activity.

• Do not do it when emotionally agitated.

• Pregnant women are advised not to do it, especially after the first trimester.

• Women should not press any point on the breasts.