Acupressure
for the Rest of Us

I practice acupuncture from a wheelchair.

That one sentence has shaped everything about how I approach healing—both for myself and for the people I serve. When I went through my doctoral training, the textbooks assumed a body that could stand, twist, reach overhead, and bend freely. The techniques assumed two fully functioning hands. The clinic setups assumed you could hop onto a treatment table without thinking twice.

But here's what I know from years of clinical practice and from living in my own body: healing is not reserved for people who move a certain way. Your body has an extraordinary capacity to restore, rebalance, and repair itself. Acupressure is one of the simplest, most accessible ways to tap into that capacity—and you don't need perfect flexibility, full range of motion, or any special equipment to do it.

I wrote this guide because most wellness content still assumes a "standard" body. If you've ever felt left out of self-care practices because the instructions didn't account for how your body actually works, this book is for you. If you're a caregiver looking for gentle, effective ways to support someone you love, this book is for you too.

Every technique in this guide comes with modifications—for seated bodies, for lying-down bodies, for one-handed access, for limited grip strength, and for the people who help us. I've included tool suggestions for reaching points that might otherwise be out of range, and plain-language caregiver instructions so that healing can be a shared experience.

You don't need to be flexible, fit, or "fixed" to access your body's healing potential. You just need to start.

With warmth and healing energy,
Dr. Ariela Rozegold
N.C.C.A.O.M., D.A.O.M., L.Ac. | Pain and Emotional Care Specialist

This guide is designed to be simple, flexible, and judgment-free. You can read it cover to cover or jump straight to the point that matches what your body needs today. There's no wrong door.

Each Technique Page Includes

• Point Name — English name and TCM name
• What It Helps — symptoms and conditions this point addresses
• Where to Find It — plain-language location description
• How to Press — step-by-step self-application instructions
• Reaching It Your Way — adaptive tools, positioning, one-handed and limited-grip alternatives
• Caregiver Assist — plain-language instructions for a helper
• Pro Tip from Dr. Ariela — a clinical insight to deepen your practice

Look for These Tags

"Start anywhere. There's no wrong door."

Use the interactive workbook on each point page to track your experience, record how you felt, and note which tools or positions worked best for your body.

Before you dive into the techniques, let's set you up for success. You don't need to buy anything special—but knowing your options makes everything easier.

Adaptive Tools for Reaching Points

• Massage ball (tennis ball, lacrosse ball, or textured therapy ball) — roll against a chair back, bed, or floor to reach points on your back, shoulders, and feet
• Massage cane or S-shaped tool (Theracane, Body Back Buddy) — extends your reach to upper back, neck, and behind-the-body points
• Fingertip massager or pointed-tip tool — provides focused pressure without gripping; ideal for limited hand strength
• Foam roller or rolled towel — place under legs, back, or neck to passively apply pressure while lying down
• Eraser end of a pencil or smooth stylus — a free, household option for targeted pressure on small points

Positioning Strategies

• In a wheelchair: Most points are accessible seated. For lower leg points, cross one leg over the other or use a footrest. For foot points, a massage ball on the floor under your foot works without bending.
• In bed or reclined: Use pillows to prop arms or legs. Points on the head, hands, and arms are naturally accessible. For leg/foot points, bend the knee to bring the lower leg closer.
• Limited hand or arm mobility: Use body weight instead of hand strength—lean against a ball on a chair back, press hand points against a table edge, or ask a caregiver to assist.
• One-handed access: All hand and wrist points can be pressed against a firm surface (table edge, armrest, door frame) instead of using the opposite hand.

If You Have a Caregiver, Partner, or Helper

Healing doesn't have to be solo. If someone in your life is willing to help, this guide makes it easy for them. Each technique page includes a Caregiver Assist section with exactly where to press (plain language, no jargon), how much pressure to use, how long to hold, and what to watch for.

"Always ask before pressing. Check in during. The person receiving should guide the pressure."

Acupressure is acupuncture's gentler sibling. Same ancient wisdom, no needles.

It's based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—a healing system practiced for over 3,000 years. The core idea is beautifully simple: your body has a network of energy pathways called meridians. When energy (called qi, pronounced "chee") flows freely through these pathways, you feel good. When it gets stuck or depleted, symptoms show up—pain, fatigue, anxiety, digestive issues, and more.

Acupressure works by applying gentle, sustained pressure to specific points along these meridians. This stimulation helps unblock stagnant energy, calm overactive systems, and invite your body back into balance.

Here's the part to remember: your body already knows how to heal. Acupressure doesn't add anything foreign. It simply activates what's already there—your body's own intelligent healing response. Your hands (or a simple tool) are all you need to get started.

In TCM, everything in nature—including your body—is organized into five elements. Each one governs specific organs, emotions, seasons, and qualities.

Curious which element you lead with? Take the free Five Element Quiz at rozegoldacupuncture.com/Resources/Five-Elements

Click any row to go to that point's full page.

⚠ Pregnancy caution: LI 4, GB 21, SP 6 — avoid during pregnancy

You don't need all 12 points every day. Pick the routine that matches your moment, and give yourself just five minutes.

"Consistency over perfection. Even once a week counts."

Ready to track your practice? Open Week 1 Tracker →

"You don't need to be flexible, fit, or 'fixed' to begin."

"Your body already knows how to heal. Now your hands know where to start."
— Dr. Ariela Rozegold

Dr. Ariela Rozegold is a licensed acupuncturist, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and Pain and Emotional Care Specialist who practices from a wheelchair. She is board-certified by the NCCAOM and founded Rozegold Acupuncture with a single mission: to make wellness truly accessible for every body.

With over a decade of clinical experience spanning acupuncture, patient education, and wellness instruction, Dr. Rozegold brings a unique perspective to healing—one shaped by both advanced training and lived experience with disability. Her work centers on the belief that the wheelchair is an empowering symbol of mobility and independence, not a limitation.

Through Rozegold Acupuncture, she creates accessible wellness education, digital health resources, and clinical content that honors the diversity of human bodies.

What's Next:

• Explore More TCM Tip Sheets — available on Etsy
• Wellness Art Print Collections — wheelchair representation & TCM-inspired imagery
• Take the Free Five Element Quiz at rozegoldacupuncture.com
• Watch Real Talk Tuesday on YouTube
• Coming Soon: Tapping Into Your Inner Healer — a 7-module self-healing course

Coming Soon

• Tapping Into Your Inner Healer — A 7-module self-healing course
• Acupressure Starter Tool Kit — Curated tools from this e-book

"Your body already knows how to heal. Now your hands know where to start."
— Dr. Ariela Rozegold

"Healing through Motion — Accessible Wellness for Every Body"
— Rozegold Acupuncture