Here is an overview of the history of acupressure, focusing on its journey from ancient traditional medicine to a modern solution for nausea relief.

The History of Acupressure: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Nausea

While often confused with its needle-based cousin, acupuncture, acupressure is actually the older of the two therapies. Its history is a fascinating journey that spans over 5,000 years, evolving from intuitive touch to a widely recognized method for managing motion sickness and nausea today.

1. The Origins: The Flow of “Qi” (c. 3000 BCE)

The roots of acupressure lie in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Ancient healers operated on the belief that the body is governed by a vital life energy called “Qi” (pronounced chi). This energy flows through invisible channels in the body known as meridians. 

The core philosophy was balance. Healers believed that illness—whether it was a headache, stomach pain, or nausea—was caused by a blockage or disruption in the flow of Qi. By applying firm pressure to specific points along these meridians, they believed they could clear the blockages and restore the body’s natural harmony.

2. The Discovery of the “Inner Gate” (Nei-Kuan)

Among the hundreds of pressure points identified by early practitioners, one became legendary for its effect on the stomach and spirit: Pericardium 6 (P6), also known as Nei-Kuan or “Inner Gate.”

Located three finger-widths below the wrist on the inner forearm, this point was documented in ancient medical texts as the primary command point for the chest and stomach. Ancient sailors and travelers eventually adopted this knowledge, manually pressing this spot to combat mal de mer (seasickness) long before modern pharmacology existed.

3. From Ancient Battlefields to Modern Science

For centuries, this knowledge was passed down through lineage and practice. However, in the 20th century, Western medicine began to investigate why it worked.

Research in the 1980s and 1990s began to validate what TCM practitioners had known for millennia. Clinical studies suggested that stimulating the P6 point sends a signal via the median nerve to the brain. This signal inhibits the vomiting center, effectively “closing the gate” on nausea signals before they result in illness.

4. The Modern Adaptation: The Wristband

The most significant leap for acupressure in the modern era was the invention of the acupressure wristband. Realizing that manual pressure was difficult to maintain consistently (especially when sick), innovators created elastic bands with embedded studs. This allowed for continuous, hands-free stimulation of the P6 point.

Today, this 5,000-year-old remedy is standard equipment for:

• Astronauts: NASA has researched acupressure for space adaptation syndrome.

• Pregnant Women: It is a first-line non-drug defense for morning sickness.

• Post-Operative Patients: Hospitals frequently use it to manage anesthesia-induced nausea.

Summary

Acupressure represents a rare bridge between ancient intuition and modern convenience. It endures not because of mysticism, but because of utility: it offers a way to hack the body’s own nervous system to find relief, without the need for synthetic drugs.