6 Acupressure Points for Stress & Digestion
Self Care Can Be Free + Easy
Acupressure is a free and easy way (yes, self care doesn’t have to cost a ton!) to help improve your circulation, thereby keeping you young, healthy, and stress-free. You can do this while you are watching TV, taking a break from work, commuting to work, waiting in line for brunch, shelter-in-place, etc. Get creative! Add this to your daily self-care routine. Having a friend or partner exchange acupressure massages is a great bonding activity as well!
- Use gentle pressure to begin with. Slowly increase the pressure overtime.
- Can use many massage techniques such as gentle circular motions.
- Massage the point for at least 30 seconds. Can do with eyes closed and deep breathing for maximum effect.
- These points are generally very tender. Upon massaging, you may feel an “oh so good sore” feel.
1. Large Intestine 4 — He Gu (合谷) “Junction Valley”
Use For: Constipation, poor digestion, stress, headaches
**Caution: Avoid during pregnancy
This point is on the large intestine channel. Your large intestine is responsible for propelling feces for elimination. In lack of better words, it is responsible for “getting rid of crap”. When you’re stressed, digestion is often inhibited and circulation to the digestive tract becomes stagnant. When that builds up, you will feel physically stuck. This point is very helpful for moving your circulation and bowels. Once circulation is smooth again and bowels are no longer obstructed, you will feel freed from your emotional and physical baggage.
Location: The sore spot right before the bones of your thumb and your index finger meet (in the “web of the hands”).
2) Liver 3 — Tai Chong ( 太沖) — “Supreme Surge”
Use For: Stress, eye strain/tired eyes, detox
This point is on the liver channel. In Chinese medicine, the Liver is responsible for the smooth overall circulation flow of the body. When one is stressed, the liver channel is affected and the body’s circulation becomes stuck. This point is very helpful for moving your circulation. In Chinese medicine, poor circulation to the liver affects the eyes. It is also a great point to help with detox.
Location: The sore spot right before the bones of your big toe and your second toe meet (in the “web of the toes”).
The two points: above combined is one of the best combos to help combat stress. Together they are called the “Two Gates”. They are traditionally used together to help with smoothing circulation throughout the entire body. Stress causes circulation to become stuck and stagnant. By pressing on these two points, you can help move circulation to boost energy and decompress your mind.
3) Stomach 36 — Zu San Li (足三里) — “Leg Three Mile”
Use For: Digestion, low Energy/fatigue, recovery, menstrual cramps
This point plays a huge role in regulating digestive functions. Chinese medicine understands good digestive function as the key to good health. It is a great point to massage when one is having digestive complaints such as cramps, bloating, and stomachaches. It is also a great point for women with menstrual cramps. Massaging this point prior to meals can help aid digestion.
Elderly Chinese love this point. It is said that people who were pushed to the point of exhaustion from their labor were treated with this point. After treatment, they were able to walk three more miles.
Location: Place four fingers below the outer eye of the knee (the indent of your knee) and move outward about a thumb’s length. This spot should feel sore and tender to the touch.
4) Gall Bladder 20 — Feng Chi (風池) — “Wind Pool”
Use For: Headache, neck tightness, eye strain, onset of common cold, stress, better sleep
This point is usually really tender on most people. For those that work long hours in front of a computer, it is beneficial to take a 5 min break every 50 minutes from screen time. Massage this spot to help bring circulation to strained eyes, tight neck muscles that could be causing tension headaches. The upper trapezius muscle also attaches near this point, that is why it is such an important area to help relieve neck and shoulder tightness.
You can rub this point with immune boosting essential oils such as peppermint for the onset of a common cold. It helps open up sinus congestion. This point is also great for reducing stress and tension, preparing you for a good night’s sleep. Massage in slow circular motions while applying moderate pressure 30 times. Do this twice before bed.
Location: Slide your finger about 1.5 inches horizontally from the attachment of your earlobe towards the back of your neck until you reach a hollow.
5) Spleen 6 — San Yin Jiao (三陰交) — “Three Yin Crossing”
Use For: Menstrual cramps, irregular menstruation, dry skin, dehydration, insomnia
*Caution: Avoid during pregnancy
Historically this point is one of the most important points for gynecological issues. In Chinese medicine, the menses is regulated by the three organs: kidney, liver, and spleen. This acupuncture point is unique because all three channels mentioned cross this point. For those with menstrual cramping/pain or pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) such as irritability or insomnia, massaging this point will be helpful. This point is also great for balancing water metabolism and building blood. Massage this point for issues related to body dryness and dehydration as it helps to promote and circulate water distribution. In circular motions, massage this point for 15 seconds and repeat 4 times or as needed to help alleviate cramping.
Location: On the inside of your ankle bone, place four fingers above it. The point is located at the top level of your fingers, right behind the bone.
6) Pericardium 6 — Nei Guan (內關 )— “Inner Pass”
Use For: Chest tightness, stimulating digestion, nausea, motion sickness, better sleep, anxiety
This point is arguably one of the most commonly used acupressure points. It is great for alleviating nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness. A common item prescribed to pregnant women in their first trimester for nausea is the Sea-Band. It’s a bracelet that applies pressure on this acupressure point. This company makes a living off of one acupuncture point. Now that is a heck of a powerful point!
The pericardium is the membrane that encloses the heart, like a glove for the heart. In Chinese medicine, the pericardium is paired with the heart. Since they are paired, this point is great for addressing areas near the heart and mind related issues. So if you feel like you’re having a hard time sleeping (insomnia) from too much thinking or an overactive mind, massage this point to help ground yourself to promote better sleep.
It’s also helps stimulate the rest and digest function. In normal people terms: it helps to calm your sh*t.
Location: This point is located on the inside of your forearm. The point is located in between those two tendons, three fingers below your wrist crease.
Note: For those of you waiting for your second tendon to grow in haha, one of these tendons is absent in approximately 16% of the human population.
Have fun and incorporate this into your daily self-care routine! If you enjoyed this article please feel free to clap, share, or leave a comment — that will mean the world to us!
Co-authored with Connie Ly.
Thanks for reading!
XOXO Steph
I am an Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner with a clinic in San Francisco. Learn more about what I do and see more of my writing at https://www.stephaniewuacupuncture.com.
The information in this blog is not medical advice and not a substitute for professional advice or treatment. Please consult a physician or healthcare professional.
