Acupressure, according to Healthy Holistic Living, has long been a part of traditional Chinese medicine, i.e. for more than thousands of years. This is an alternative healing method which is comprised of applying pressure with the fingers onto designated acupressure areas with the goal to relax and alleviate health problems.
How Does Acupressure Work?
The traditional belief is that this therapy helps balance the chi energy in the individual’s body, i.e. the life force running through our body. According to Western practitioners of acupressure, this method is highly effective in lowering tense muscles, bettering the blood flow, and encouraging the stimulation of endorphins- brain chemicals which can naturally decrease pain.
If you want to try out this alternative healing therapy, continue reading the article to check out several acupressure points and their benefits.
10 Acupressure Points
- Joining the Valley
This area can be of great use to alleviate headaches, as well as toothaches, shoulder and neck ache, shoulder pain, hangover, and constipation. Find it between the thumb and index finger. Massage it for several minutes on each hand.
- The Pericardium
This point is useful for the treatment of nausea and vomiting and it can also assist with headaches, chest ache, upset stomach, and carpal tunnel syndrome. You can locate it between the 2 large tendons on the inside of the wrist, around 3-fingers width below the palm. Press it with your index and middle finger for 120 seconds. Repeat when needed.
- The Third Eye
This pressure point is massaged with the aim to calm down the mind, enhance the memory, alleviate stress and tiredness, stop insomnia, and treat eye strain and relieve sinus ache. This point can be found on the knobby spot on the nose’s bridge, between the eyebrows. Massage it gently with the middle finger for 60 seconds. Repeat several times per week.
- Sea of Tranquility
This point can be of great aid in minimizing anxiousness and depression and to strengthen the immunity. It is located on the breastbone’s center, 4-finger widths up from the bone’s base. Apply gentle pressure on it for several minutes on a daily basis and remember to breathe deeply while performing the massage.
- Leg Three Miles
Massage this point when you have digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, abdominal ache, and gas. It will also strengthen your immunity and reduce tiredness. The spot is found 4-fingers down from the pinky finger, outside the shin bone.
- Commanding Middle
If you have knee and back ache or if you suffer from sciatica, massage this point which can be found at the knee’s back, in the center of it. Massage the spot on both legs for a minute or two.
- Sacral point
If you experience menstrual pain, sciatica, and lower back ache, you should massage this point which is found on the sacrum, i.e. the base of the spine, right above the tailbone. Lie down on your back with the hands underneath the spine’s base, with one hand over the other and apply gentle pressure onto the point for a minute or two.
- Shen Men
By massaging this point, you will easily cope with the side effects of quitting smoking such as anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression, etc. The area is found in the upper half of your ear, above the apex of the triangular fossa. Massage it with the index finger and thumb on the daily.
- The Heavenly Pillar
This point should be massaged when you need to lower stress, burnout, neck ache, and anxiety. You can find the spot one-finger width below the skull’s base. Apply gentle pressure for a minute or two on the daily.
- The Bigger Rushing
To better your focus and memory, alleviate eye tiredness, fight off allergies, and strengthen the immunity, massage this point which is found on the top of your foot, right where the big toe and second toe bones meet. Massage with gentle pressure for 120 seconds, two to three times on the daily.
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