Acupressure When You’re Coming Down With Something

Here are the acupressure points traditionally used for the days when you feel something coming on. 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 SP10 — Xue Hai
Chinese Name: 血海
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 Thymus point
Location: beginning from the lower border of the supraclavicular fossa and extends to the upper border of the xyphoid process of the sternum.
Traditionally used for: immune disorders, low immunity, epstein-barr virus diseases, frequent colds, frequent viral infections, constant allergic reactions, long term sickness, chronic fatigue syndrome, blood disorders, spleen disorders, platelet imbalance, immature blood cell production, bone marrow diseases.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 UB40 — Wei Zhong
Chinese Name: 委中
Location: midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa, between the tendons of muscle biceps femoris and muscle semitendinosus.
Traditionally used for: lower back pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, viral infection, bacterial infection, arthritis, fever, falling hair, falling eyebrow, pain in the lower extremities, sciatic neuralgia.Acupressure Point CV12 — Zhong Wan
Chinese Name: 中脘
Location: midway between the belly button and the bottom of the breastbone. On the midline of the abdomen, 5 finger width above the belly button.
Traditionally used for: acute abdominal pain, pain due to overeating, gastric pain, sour stomach, belching, regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, distention of the abdomen due to flatulence, hiatal hernia.Acupressure Point GB20 — Fen Chi
Chinese Name: 風池
Location: below the base of the skull, in the hollow between the two large, vertical neck muscles, two to three inches apart depending on the size of the head.
Traditionally used for: occipital headache, dizziness, pain and stiffness of the neck, pain in the shoulder, fever, common cold, whiplash, weakness of the whole body.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.