Acupressure for Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Use Reduction

Abstract

Postoperative pain remains a significant clinical concern following surgical procedures, often affecting recovery, mobility, sleep quality, and overall patient satisfaction. Although pharmacological analgesics such as opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and regional anesthesia techniques are widely used, they may be associated with adverse effects including nausea, constipation, respiratory depression, sedation, and risk of dependence. These limitations have prompted increasing interest in complementary approaches that can enhance pain control while reducing reliance on medications. Acupressure is a non-invasive technique that involves applying manual pressure to specific acupoints to stimulate neuromodulatory and physiological responses. This study examines the effectiveness of acupressure in reducing postoperative pain intensity and decreasing analgesic consumption. Commonly targeted acupoints include LI4 (Hegu), PC6 (Neiguan), and ST36 (Zusanli), which are associated with pain modulation and systemic regulation.