Acupressure Points: Quick Self-Relief Guide
Ever press a spot and feel immediate relief? That’s acupressure. It uses finger pressure on specific points to ease pain, calm the nervous system, and help digestion. You don’t need tools or training to get useful results — just a little know-how and steady pressure.
How to find and use key acupressure points
Start slow. Use your thumb or index finger, press until you feel a firm but comfortable ache, and hold for 30–60 seconds. Breathe slowly while you press. Repeat 2–4 times a day, or whenever symptoms flare.
Here are reliable points to try:
LI4 (Hegu) — Between thumb and index finger. Good for headaches, neck pain, and general tension. Don’t use during pregnancy.
PC6 (Neiguan) — Three finger-widths up from the wrist crease, between the two tendons. Helpful for nausea, motion sickness, and anxiety.
GB20 (Fengchi) — At the base of the skull, in the hollows beside the neck muscles. Great for headaches, stiff neck, and sinus pressure. Apply steady pressure or small circular motions.
ST36 (Zusanli) — About one finger-width lateral to the shin bone, four fingers below the kneecap. Use this for low energy, digestion problems, and overall resilience.
SP6 (Sanyinjiao) — Three finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, just behind the shin. Supports digestion, sleep, and menstrual discomfort. Avoid during pregnancy.
LV3 (Taichong) — On the top of the foot, in the webbing between the big toe and second toe. Helps with stress, irritability, and tension.
Safety, timing, and combining with massage
Don’t press open wounds, varicose veins, or areas with inflammation. If you have a serious health condition, implanted devices, or are pregnant, check with a healthcare pro before trying acupressure. Mild soreness after a session is normal; sharp or worsening pain is a sign to stop.
Acupressure works well with other therapies. Try it before a massage to loosen tight spots, after gua sha to calm the area, or with heat and slow breathing to deepen relaxation. For office stress, spend two minutes on PC6 and LI4 during a break. For nausea, press PC6 repeatedly until symptoms ease. For headaches, use GB20 and LI4 together for fast relief.
Make it a simple habit: a minute or two, twice a day. Keep a small chart or note on your phone of which points help you most. Over time you’ll learn which spots give the fastest relief and how much pressure you prefer. If you want deeper work, see a licensed massage therapist or acupuncturist who can blend acupressure with other hands-on care.
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