Working from home is a different experience for most of us—and our bodies, just like us, are adjusting to our new environments. 

Whether you’re emailing from your home office or taking Zoom calls from your child’s bedroom, it’s important to keep balance at the top of your daily priority list. We know what you’re thinking: new conditions can be hard. We’re with you. If you’re experiencing newfound anxieties, you’re not alone. Many people are learning to navigate new feelings of physical and emotional stress from the changes surrounding “WFH”.

So, why is it so important to focus on acupressure when you’re working from home or under stay-in-place orders? It’s simple: because everything in acupuncture centers around chi and moving our chi. 

Let us explain! The basic concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine is about blockage of chi or energy—and the more chi or blood flow you get moving, the better your systems run. Emotional frustration can often be the result of physical stagnation in the body.

Movement is everything in Chinese Medicine—that’s why we see Feng shui in interior design, and fountains with water flowing. The goal is always to stimulate and keep things moving.

You can get the best of #ORAfromhome while you #WFH if you incorporate our acupressure points and a few other suggestions, like taking breaks during the day to  stretch or walk—or trying Qi Gong. 

According to Chinese medicine, when you’re under stress it attacks your weakest spot—explaining why so many people have reached out during quarantine with stomach pains—it’s because we’re all dealing with new and added stressors. 

The good news? We can use acupressure points to help relieve some of your WFH stress, fight tech neck and carpal tunnel, and boost your overall productivity and focus. 

Try these pressure points! They’re all easy to incorporate into your daily routine—whenever you need them.

Carpal tunnel

Watch Gabriel, ORA’s Director of Acupuncture, walk through the acupressure points here. 

SAN JIAO 5

2 fingertips away from the wrist crease.

SAN JIAO 6

In the wrist crease. Bring more chi to the area.

LI-5

Good for thumb pain. Make a thumbs up then find the point in the pocket between the two tendons.

QUICK TIPS: 

• Make sure you’re getting proper rest while you’re working.
• Take breaks from the computer as often as you can. 
• Stretch your hands and wrists throughout the day. 

Tech neck

Watch Gabriel’s demonstration here. 

With more technology becoming part of our everyday lives, tech neck is becoming a more common pain.

GALLBLADDER 20 

Feel the divot in your neck (it’s easy to find!) It’s a great point to ask a partner or quarantine buddy to help you get to. 

GALLBLADDER 21

The spot on the midpoint of the shoulder. Simply massage that area. 

QUICK TIPS:

• Take a very hot shower and let the heat loosen tense shoulders and neck. 
• The warmth will help open up and relieve tension. 

Channels and Meridians

You have 12 channels throughout your body and you want to use them to get everything moving. Constipation, irregular periods, and many more issues are a direct result of stagnation. Our advice is to go straight to the source of the pain, but also go around it—because ultimately your body is connected. 

Focus and Productivity at Home

DU 20

This spot is on top of the head- sometimes easiest to find by finding the divot at the top. It’s very good for focus. 

LI-4

A famous point for headaches. At the top of the crease between the thumbs and the pointer finger. If it hurts a little that means you’re doing it right. This is good for getting blood and chi to the head and for productivity.

Ear Seeds can also be a great tool for productivity and focus! You can learn more with our advanced acupressure kit here and book a virtual session for your personalized treatment plan. 

Your acupuncturist will guide you through each step of putting the points on your ear and stimulating pressure to each point to help with different symptoms. We like to call it nature’s magic. 

Other tips for feeling better as you #WFH:

• Create a positive work environment that makes you feel productive but also comfortable.
• Your body works better on a schedule! Stick to that as much as possible.
• Find an exercise routine that you like and make sure to keep moving every day. 
• Take breaks throughout your work day—and don’t forget to drink a lot of water and tea (bonus: this forces you to get up for those extra bathroom breaks which pulls you away from the computer!). 
• Practice deep breathing and different breathing techniques. 
• Take hot showers. The heat increases blood flow and gets things moving. It also loosens tension in your shoulders, neck, and wrist.
• Practice rituals. Try spraying your pillow with our favorite aromatherapy for relaxation. 
• Drink a warm cup of tea an hour before bed. We like ORA’s Calm & Carry On with eastern and western herbs for a soothing before bed treat.