Both Address the Same Points through Different Means (1)

Acupuncture and acupressure are different since the former causes the skin to be punctured with very thin and long needles and it has to be performed by a practitioner who is experienced in traditional Chinese medicine whereas acupressure can be learnt from a handbook and a person may even perform a miniature massage on oneself, anywhere. Also, acupressure has been practiced long before acupuncture became known and that is another difference between acupuncture and acupressure.
In addition, since acupuncture requires using a tool it needs greater accuracy to bring quick relief whereas acupressure is less precise since one only the finger is used as a tool. There may also be some side effects as a result of acupuncture that are caused due to release of toxins or through realignment of the muscle groups. Acupuncture and acupressure thus have different effects on the patient with acupressure having fewer side effects and this may be somewhat akin to deep tissue massages where there is also less scope of doing wrong to the patient.