When you have localized pain, what do you do? You reach for it. Often without conscious thought, your hand goes to the area of discomfort and massages it. Understanding the basics of acupressure could make this mindless self-massage even more beneficial, helping you to relax and even manage chronic pain.

Acupressure has its foundation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it has been in use for over 2,000 years. It’s a method of activating the body’s self-healing mechanisms to treat illness and alleviate pain. Like acupuncture, which uses tiny needles, acupressure stimulates the body at certain meridians, or pressure points.

“The Chinese medical model discovered that the human body is crisscrossed by these invisible lines of energy,” explains Dr. Steve Moreau, DOM, AP, a licensed acupuncturist and instructor at the Florida College of Integrative Medicine. “TCM theory also holds that each meridian pathway is connected to a specific organ. It’s this interconnection of specific points that allows acupressure to work.”

Is it effective? The research says yes. One review found acupressure to be effective at reducing pain in nine of ten studies. With a 2,000-year-old track record, this method of pain management has certainly stood the test of time.

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