Key Takeaways
- These six points — HT7, PC6, GV20, Yintang, KI1, and LR3 — form the core TCM toolkit for acute anxiety and panic.
- HT7 (Shenmen) calms the Heart spirit; PC6 (Neiguan) settles the chest; Yintang stills the mind; GV20 (Baihui) lifts rising yang; KI1 (Yongquan) grounds energy downward.
- Press firmly but gently for 30–60 seconds per point while breathing slowly; combine 2–3 points for a stronger effect.
- Acupressure is supportive — it does not replace emergency care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.
- If panic attacks are frequent, persistent, or severe, consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.
This article is for wellness education only and is not medical advice. The information here has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. TCM practices for stress and anxiety are complementary and are not a replacement for professional mental health care. If you experience persistent anxiety, depression, panic, or thoughts of self-harm, consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. If you are in crisis, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Panic can arrive without warning — a sudden wave of racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a feeling of losing control. In TCM terms, panic is a pattern of qi rising upward and scattering — the body's energy, instead of circulating calmly, surges to the head and chest, leaving the lower body ungrounded. The strategy of emergency acupressure is the reverse: to anchor the spirit (shen), calm the Heart, and draw qi downward.
This guide covers six points traditionally used for acute anxiety and panic. For a broader, everyday toolkit, see our acupressure for anxiety guide. For the theory of how points work, see our zang-fu organs guide.
If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or symptoms you have never had before, call your local emergency number immediately — these can be signs of a medical emergency that acupressure cannot address. If you are having thoughts of self-harm, contact a crisis line or emergency services immediately.
The Six Points
1. HT7 (Shenmen, 神門) — The Gate of the Spirit
What it does: HT7 is the most important point for calming the Heart and settling the spirit (shen). It is the classic point for anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, and the restless, racing quality of panic. See our HT7 acupressure guide for full details.
Location: On the wrist crease, on the little-finger side, in the small depression at the base of the pisiform bone. Easiest way to find it: flex your wrist slightly toward the little finger and feel for the tender spot on the crease.
How to press: Use the thumb of the opposite hand. Press firmly but not painfully for 60 seconds while breathing slowly. The point is often tender — moderate tenderness is a sign you have found it. Repeat on the other wrist.
2. PC6 (Neiguan, 内关) — The Inner Gate
What it does: PC6 calms the Heart, settles the chest, and regulates the breath. It is the classic point for nausea and chest oppression, but it is equally valuable for panic that manifests as chest tightness, palpitations, or a lump in the throat. It is often used for motion sickness and morning sickness, which reflects its ability to settle the diaphragm and the upper abdomen.
Location: On the inside of the forearm, three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons that run to the palm. To find the tendons, make a slight fist — the tendons will stand out.
How to press: Use the thumb of the opposite hand to press between the tendons, angled slightly toward the body. Press for 60 seconds on each side. Pairing PC6 with HT7 on the same arm is a powerful combination for panic.
3. Yintang (印堂) — Hall of Impression
What it does: Yintang is not a traditional acupuncture point on a meridian but an "extra" point located between the eyebrows — the "third eye." It is one of the most calming points on the body, used to still the racing mind, ease frontal tension, and quiet the overthinking that feeds panic. See our Yintang acupressure guide.
Location: Exactly midway between the inner ends of the eyebrows.
How to press: With your index finger, press gently but steadily. Unlike the other points, Yintang benefits from a lighter touch — imagine pressing into soft clay rather than a hard surface. Press for 60–90 seconds with eyes closed, breathing slowly. Many people feel an immediate sense of calm.
Yintang sits at the location TCM associates with the upper Dantian, the energy center connected to the spirit (shen) and higher consciousness. Light pressure here has a uniquely settling quality — it is the single most calming point on the body.
4. GV20 (Baihui, 百會) — Hundred Meetings
What it does: GV20 is the highest point on the body and the meeting point of many yang meridians. It lifts upward-rising yang and is used for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and the scattered, disoriented quality of panic. In TCM, panic is partly a pattern of qi scattering upward; GV20 helps organize and regulate that energy.
Location: On the crown of the head, on the midline, roughly at the point where a line drawn from the top of each ear meets the center of the head.
How to press: Use the pads of your fingers to tap GV20 gently 20–30 times, then press with the middle finger for 30–60 seconds. Tapping is often more effective than pressing for this point. See our quick stress relief guide for a combined technique.
5. KI1 (Yongquan, 温泉) — Gushing Spring
What it does: KI1 is the lowest point on the body — on the sole of the foot — and is the most important point for drawing qi downward. Panic tends to rise upward (racing thoughts, heat in the head, palpitations in the chest). KI1 acts as an anchor, pulling scattered energy down to the Kidneys, the body's deepest energy reservoir. See our KI1 (Yongquan) acupressure guide.
Location: On the sole of the foot, in the depression that appears when the toes are flexed, roughly at the junction of the front third and back two-thirds of the foot.
How to press: Press firmly with the thumb for 60 seconds on each foot. For a stronger effect, soak the feet in warm water for 10 minutes before pressing — see our mugwort foot soak guide. KI1 is the most grounding point in the body and is particularly useful at night for sleep.
6. LR3 (Taichong, 太冲) — Supreme Surge
What it does: LR3 is the source point of the Liver meridian and the most important point for moving stagnant Liver qi. Panic often has a component of suppressed frustration or held tension; LR3 releases this and restores the Liver's flowing function. See our Liver qi stagnation guide.
Location: On the top of the foot, between the big toe and second toe, in the depression about one finger-width back from the webbing.
How to press: Press with the thumb, angled toward the foot, for 30–60 seconds on each side.
A Panic Sequence
When panic arrives, you may not remember six points. Here is a simple three-point sequence that covers the main bases:
- Yintang (60 seconds, eyes closed, breathing slowly) — to still the mind.
- HT7 (30 seconds each wrist) — to calm the Heart and settle the spirit.
- KI1 (60 seconds each foot, or rub both soles firmly) — to draw energy downward and ground.
The whole sequence takes about three minutes. If panic is accompanied by chest tightness, add PC6. If it includes racing thoughts that won't stop, add GV20 tapping. Pair any of these with slow abdominal breathing — see our TCM breathing guide.
The Bottom Line
Acupressure for panic is not a cure, but it is a concrete, embodied practice you can use in the moment. The very act of pressing a point gives the mind something to focus on besides the panic, and the points themselves work with the body's energy to calm the Heart, still the mind, and anchor scattered qi. For ongoing support, build these points into a daily routine — a minute of HT7 morning and evening can help regulate baseline anxiety. And if panic is frequent or severe, please seek professional support: these practices work best alongside, not instead of, qualified care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard should I press these points?
Press firmly enough to feel a clear sensation — often a dull ache or mild tenderness — but never so hard that it causes sharp pain. On a scale of 1–10, aim for a pressure of 4–6. Yintang is the exception: use a lighter touch, as the area is sensitive.
Can I use all six points at once?
You can, but it is usually more effective to focus on 2–3 points in sequence rather than rushing through all six. Quality of attention matters as much as the point itself. The three-point sequence (Yintang, HT7, KI1) covers the most ground and takes about three minutes.
Are these points safe during pregnancy?
Most are safe, but LR3 (Taichong) and PC6 (Neiguan) are traditionally used with caution during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, as they strongly move qi. HT7, Yintang, and GV20 tapping are generally considered safe. Always consult your healthcare provider before using acupressure during pregnancy.
What if acupressure doesn't help during a panic attack?
Acupressure is supportive, not a guaranteed intervention. If a panic attack does not ease, or if you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is panic or a medical emergency (such as a heart problem), call your local emergency number. For frequent or severe panic attacks, consult a qualified mental health professional for comprehensive support.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness practice, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Read our full disclaimer →