Acupressure for Swollen, Stiff Joints

Here are the acupressure points traditionally used for swollen, stiff joints. Use gentle, regular pressure, and give it time. You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have a free hand can be effective.

Acupressure Point SI3 — Hou Xi
Chinese Name: 後溪
Location: when a loose fist is made, this point is close to the head of the 5th metacarpal bone on the ulnar side.
Traditionally used for: headache, stiff neck, intracranial pressure increase, weakness of the eye muscles, pain in the eyes, red eyes, pressure in the eyes, deafness, ringing in the ears, fever, weakness of the arm muscles, twitching of the elbow, arm and fingers, spasms of the upper back muscles, upper backache, night sweating

Acupressure Point GV26 — Ren Zhong
Chinese Name: 人中
Location: below the nose, a little above the midpoint of the philtrum. in the hollow between the upper lip and the nose.
Traditionally used for: swelling of the face, low vitality, chest pains, middle and lower back aches, spasms of the lower back, face lift point.

Acupressure Point SP10 — Xue Hai
Chinese Name: 隱白
Location: when the knee is flexed, 3 finger width above the superior border of the patella, on the medial side of the thigh. Feel for pain or tenderness at the spot.
Traditionally used for: uterine bleeding, irregular menstruation, painful menstrual periods, premenstrual symptoms, absence of periods in fertile women without pregnancy, skin disorders, eczema, hives, sores in the mouth, cold sores, sea food poisonng, acne, boils, carbuncles, furuncles etc. On the skin, anywhere in the body, pain in the knee, pain in the medial part of the thigh.

Acupressure Point SP4 — Gong Sun
Chinese Name: 公孫
Location: On the arch of the foot, in the hollow two finger-width away from the ball of the foot, above the tendon of big toe.
Traditionally used for: colitis, diverticulitis, crohn’s disease, gastric pain, vomiting, sour stomach, chronic fatigue, inflammation of the stomach, gastric ulcers, ascites, arthritis, low mood, anxiety, irritable bowls.

Acupressure Point LI4 — Hoku
Chinese Name: 合 谷
Location: At the highest spot of the muscle on the back of the hand that protrudes when the thumb and index finger are brought close together. Midway between the thumb and index finger approximately one body inch above the web.
Traditionally used for: Relieves pain and inflammation in the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck. Headache, red eye, pain in the eye, nose bleed, toothache, sore throat, facial swelling, fever, abdominal pain, constipation, delayed menstrual cycles, absence of menstruation in fertile women without pregnancy, PMS, delayed labor, to balance the energy in the body

Acupressure Point LI11 — Qu Chi
Chinese Name: 曲池
Location: On the top, outer end of the elbow crease. bend your arm, press your thumb into the hollow located on the top, outer end of the elbow crease, directly above the elbow, between the elbow joint (below) and the muscle (above).
Traditionally used for: food allergy, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, sore throat, pain in the elbow and arm, tennis elbow, particularly inflamed skin disorders (such as hives and rashes), itching, fevers.

Acupressure Point LV3 — Tai Chong
Chinese Name: 太沖
Location: in the depression distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.
Traditionally used for: balancing point, low energy, uterine bleeding, PMS, retention of urine, abdominal distention, fever, diarrhea, headache, chemical toxicity, anger, bleeding from the stomach, bleeding from the eyes, mouth, mucus membrane, poor circulation.

Acupressure Point LV5 — Li Gou
Chinese Name: 蠡溝
Location: 7 finger width above the tip of the medial malleolus on the medial border of tibia.
Traditionally used for: chemical and environmental toxicity, chronic fatigue syndrome, irregular menstruation, PMS, fibromyalgia, dysuria, low energy, retention of urine.

Acupressure Point SP6 — San Yin Jiao
Chinese Name: 三陰交
Location: On the inside surface of the leg, four fingers-width above the inner anklebone.
Traditionally used for: balancing point, abdominal distention, loose stools with undigested food, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, low mood, chronic fatigue, regulate hormone function, low sexual desire in men and women, pain in the external genitalia, warts, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, insomnia, PMS, hot flashes, cold limbs.

Acupressure Point SP21 — Da Bao
Chinese Name: 大 包
Location: on the mid-axillary line, 6 body inches below the axilla.
Traditionally used for: pain in the chest, in the hypochondriac region, asthma, fibromyalgia, general body ache and general weakness.

Caution: You should consult with a healthcare professional before practicing Acupressure or starting any diet, exercise, Chinese herbs or other supplementation programs.

Acupressure is self-care, not a replacement for diagnosis or treatment. Stop if you feel sharp pain, numbness or dizziness. Pregnant or trying to conceive? Skip LI4, SP6, GB21, BL60 and BL67 unless your practitioner directs it. Get medical care first for chest pain, sudden weakness, fainting, heavy bleeding, or a high fever.