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5 Acupressure Points That Can Promote Balance and Self-Healing

5 acupressure points and relevant techniques for readers to try at home. Stimulating these acupoints can promote self-healing and energy balance.

Acupressure massage applied on acupoint Hegu (LI4, Union Valley)

Acupressure massage is a complementary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) procedure where you can use your fingers and hands to apply pressure and stimulate acupressure points on the body to maintain the balance of yin and yang energy. It can aid blood flow, lymphatic circulation, support the body’s metabolic function and relieve muscle fatigue or tension.

If you’re considering a practical and relatively simple complementary TCM routine you can practice at home, look no further. This article will share five acupressure points and massage techniques that you can try out.

For every acupressure point pair (one acupressure point on each side of the body), press and massage for about one minute each time, several times throughout the day for best results. We’ll also elaborate on each acupressure point’s potential benefits for the body.

1. Acupressure Point to Alleviate Myopia and Improve Sight: Si bai (ST2)

An illustration of si bai as one of the acupressure points to relieve eye pain
The acupoint si bai (ST2), illustrated above, can be massaged to help dispel Wind around the eye area.

In today’s modern world, it is common to spend long hours facing a computer or mobile screen, which can strain the eyes. The acupressure point si bai (ST2, 四白) promotes self-healing for myopic ailments, eye pain or swelling. It’s also used in conjunction with other acupoints and TCM treatments. It can provide early relief for chronic nervous system ailments like involuntary twitching around the eyes, facial spasm and paralysis.

Locate the acupressure points by first pressing your index and middle fingers side by side. Position both fingers horizontally across your upper cheeks (left hand on the left cheek, right hand on the right cheek). The tip of your middle finger should rest on the edge of your nose wing. The pad of your index finger will rest on top of the acupoint si bai. Press and massage with light to medium pressure using the pad of your index finger on each side. You should feel almost immediate relief around the area.

2. Acupressure Point for Headaches, Cold, and Fever: Feng chi (GB20)

An illustration of feng chi as one of the acupressure points to heal symptoms of cold
Feng chi (GB20) is located at the back of the neck, where you can feel a depression on the base of the hairline as shown above.

According to TCM theory, External Wind pathogen can result in ailments such as headaches, dizziness, cold and fever. The acupressure point feng chi (GB20, 风池) is one point which can help with dispelling Wind pathogen, which in turn alleviates symptoms resulting from excess Wind in the body. Regular long-term acupressure on feng chi can regulate the flow of qi in your body and support your health maintenance routine. 

Best done in the morning shortly after you wake up, use the pad of each thumb on the respective acupoint. You can feel soft depressions lateral to the relatively thick tendons at the back of your neck. Press firmly upwards for about one minute before releasing pressure.

You may feel soreness and dull pain as you press hard on both points, indicating Wind accumulation around the area. Paired with breathing techniques, releasing excess Wind in this way can quickly relieve eye fatigue and tension headaches.

3. Acupressure Point to Calm Nerves and Alleviate Hypertension: He gu (LI4)

An illustration of hegu to calm the nerves
He gu is one of the most commonly-used acupressure points, with calming and pain-relieving benefits.

One of the most well-known acupoints, he gu (LI4, 合谷) when stimulated, can generate a wide range of reactions from the body. Doing so may reduce hypertension, alleviate anxiety, numbness and dispel Wind while also improving blood flow. He gu is often used alone or in conjunction with other acupressure points to provide pain relief from headaches, toothaches, sinusitis and throat discomfort. While it is useful to aid self-healing, pregnant women should refrain from pressing on he gu due to its stronger circulation-regulating effects. 

Place your thumb in the space where the bases of the thumb and index finger meet (see image above). Apply firm pressure by pressing down on the acupoint using the pad of your thumb, in a tapping motion without releasing your thumb from the skin surface. It is normal to feel a slight soreness when you press hard on the acupressure points, but do not apply too much pressure that it hurts.

4. Acupressure Point for All-Round Health Maintenance: Zu san li (ST36)

An illustration of zusanli as one of the acupressure points to maintain overall health
Zu san li acupressure point is popular due to its efficacy in promoting self-healing.

Another acupressure point that provides extensive benefits for the body is zu san li (ST36, 足三里). Located near the knee, firm pressure on this acupoint can stimulate the body’s self-healing function. It can alleviate acute and chronic ailments such as flu, hypertension and cardiovascular issues. Regular massaging of the zu san li acupressure point may relieve fatigue and even provide anti-ageing benefits. Hence why it is sometimes known as the “longevity acupoint”. 

To locate the zu san li acupressure point, first bend your knees at a 90-degree angle. Cup your hand on your knee on the same side (see photo above), and the tip of your fourth finger will rest on a small depression, where the acupoint is. Firmly press on the acupoint with your index and middle finger side by side. Then, use the pad of your middle finger to press and massage the acupoint. Do this as often as needed.

5. Acupressure Point for Enhancing Kidney Health and Harmonising Bodily Functions: Tai xi (KI3)

An illustration of taixi as one of the acupressure points to improve kidney health
Tai xi is located in the depression midway between the bony bump on the inner side of the ankle and the base of the Achilles tendon.

Tai xi (KI3, 太溪) is another major acupressure point given its efficacy in supporting optimal health. Pressing the tai xi acupoint tonifies the Kidneys and overall qi, clearing excess Heat, as well as regulating internal organs. It is often used to relieve pain around the foot as well as the lower back. Long-term acupressure done on tai xi can aid in the treatment of many chronic ailments related to Kidney function, such as excessive hair fall, insomnia, urination incontinence, impotence, and irregular menstruation.

You can use your thumb to apply light downward pressure on tai xi to stimulate the acupoint, in a continuous light sliding motion. Feel free to do this any time you feel fatigued or when your body exhibits symptoms as described above. 

You can incorporate all five acupressure points as part of your regular health regime using the techniques shared above. Perform acupressure at your leisure and a little goes a long way in achieving good health. There are even acupressure points for nausea and anxiety relief.

Also, use Lingzhi Cracked Spores to build up your natural immune system, replenish qi, relieve cough and asthma as well as address symptoms of palpitations and insomnia.

References

  1. Huoquan Book Studio. 2014. Pocket Book of Targeted Acupressure Based on Symptoms (In Mandarin)
  2. The Chinese Medicine Database. 2010. The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Translation)
  3. Global Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. 2017. Effectiveness and Characteristics of Acupressure for Elderly with Insomnia: A Systematical Review  [Accessed on 3 January 2022] 
  4. PubMed. 2014. Acupuncture for adolescents with mild-to-moderate myopia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial  [Accessed on 2 January 2022] 
  5. Acupunct Med. 2020 Apr;38(2):75-85. Self-administered acupressure for knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.  [Accessed on 2 January 2022] 
  6. National Library of Medicine, 2021, Acupuncture. [online] [Accessed 5 September 2022]

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Reviews (33)

Feb 19 2024

Diagrams could be a little BIGGER.
List other benefits of same pressure point.

nisakNov 17 2023

Acupressure to stop numbness on shoulder.tq

FuckNov 05 2023

Nice

Sep 13 2023

Points to promote health……

RajeshSep 10 2023

Anxiety

TeoAug 14 2023

Thank you so much, highly appreciated!

Aug 07 2023

acupressure points for arythmie

GraceJul 29 2023

Can have video on actual acupressure points ?

Jul 18 2023

I like all your sharing. Can shore more acupressure points for other symptoms is much appreciated. Thank you.

AliceJul 18 2023

I like all your sharing. Any more acupressure points that you can share will be much appreciated. Thank you.

PatsyJul 15 2023

Video to show with explanations will help greatly

Jul 06 2023

good info ., thanks for sharing

George Jeyasingam. Every aspect of the exercises.Jun 09 2023

Every aspect of the exercises.

Jun 06 2023

Very useful. Would like to know points for Nausea and Diarrhoea

May 28 2023

It gives very good relief….

AudreyMay 23 2023

I like all of them, some points I was not familiar with. will add them to my regimen.
Since last year April I have used my blue puffer any more.

LeraMay 01 2023

Very good,, easy to follow and locate the points

LynnApr 30 2023

ThankYou so much fr the sharing.. so helpful.

MarianApr 29 2023

With this acupressure … this helped me stay out of the hospital! Thank you for sharing.

Pictures and directions were very beneficial!

Elma LimApr 21 2023

Useful and effective. Thank you very much

ElsaMar 28 2023

Helpful and effectively. Thanks

MorrisMar 24 2023

I like all of them..very helpful

Larry BernardMar 24 2023

I have personally tried all and for me it has helped with my discomfort

VictoriaMar 20 2023

The PICTURES of point locations.
Many sites describe in words, but do Not include helpful pictures of
where to locate points which can be confusing and vague.
Your site is the best one l have found. Thank You

All Things Health TeamMar 21 2023

Thank you for your kind words, Victoria! We hope these illustrations will be useful for you and your loved ones.

ViMar 19 2023

Easy to identify the acupoint with the illustration. Easy to understand too.

Mar 05 2023

REALY VERY IFECTIVE

Feb 12 2023

ID for points very good.

Mr LeeNov 26 2022

Likes

ConnieSep 03 2022

Very easy to understand apply and remember. And I think it is working for me.

All Things Health TeamSep 05 2022

Hi Connie, glad to hear that these acupressure points are working well for you 🙂

R RaviAug 07 2022

Useful for self healing.

All Things Health TeamAug 22 2022

We are glad you found it useful. Do share it with your loved ones so that they can benefit too!

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