photo by: Shelley Hanson

Glen Dale Elementary School students learn how to use acupressure points to help relieve stress and anxiety during a presentation by Dr. Jen Fox on Friday.

GLEN DALE — Fourth graders at Glen Dale Elementary School learned Friday how to use acupressure to help reduce stress and anxiety that can cause stomachaches, headaches and more.

Dr. Jen Fox, a licensed acupuncturist and owner of Healing Points Acupuncture in Wheeling, taught the children about acupressure, which is an ancient Chinese medicine that uses pressure points for pain and stress relief.

While there are more than 300 pressure points on one’s body, Fox showed the children and teacher Kimberly Wood four different points during her presentation titled, “Amazing Acupressure Points,” comparing them to having superpowers.

The first one she called the “Calm Cape,” which calls for gently pressing the spot between one’s eyebrows. She said this will help block stress and worry and help them focus.

“It’s like putting on your calm cape when the world feels noisy or stressful,” she said.

The second was the “Stomach Shield,” which calls for pressing one’s thumb gently on one’s wrist, three finger-widths above the crease. One should also close their eyes and take three deep breaths. She said this pressure point can help with nervous feelings, motion sickness or an upset stomach.

The third was “Pain-Relief Power,” which calls for firmly pressing in the soft web between one’s thumb and index finger.

“This helps fight headaches, tension or pain,” she said. “If you have a headache, be sure to repeat this several times.”

The fourth was the “Heart Hero,” which calls for pressing one’s palm or a couple fingers in the middle of one’s chest and pressing gently.

“This helps with breathing, calming emotions and boosting confidence,” she said. “Imagine your heart glowing brighter, spreading courage and peace.”

Fox said all the pressure points should be pressed for about 30-60 seconds.

Wood said she wanted Fox to teach the children about acupressure because they often feel anxiety at the beginning of a new school year. Such anxiety can sometimes cause stomach aches and head aches.

“After this presentation, if they come to school with a stomach ache caused by anxiety I’m hoping they can use these pressure points to help get through the day,” Wood said.

She noted it is common for students to feel nervous at the start of a new school year.

“I’m hoping that it’s going to improve focus and that I can use this as a tool to help my students take tests, and if they encounter any kind of nervousness throughout the day that they will remember where that point is, apply pressure and get through their day,” Wood said.

Before the presentation, Fox said acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years.

“Our body is a network where these nerves and energy connect at certain points, and when you press on those points it sends a signal to your brain to try to help with whatever issue you have and in response to that location,” she said.

Fox said there have been studies that show how acupuncture works in the body.

“In 2025, we now have the technology to see that acupuncture and acupressure work. MRI machines have shown that the brain releases certain chemicals to certain parts of the brain. … This is now an evidence-based medicine,” she said.