Acupressure Points For Self Treatment

Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through "meridians" in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices.

Some medical studies have suggested that acupressure may be effective at helping manage nausea and vomiting, for helping lower back pain, tension headaches, stomach ache, among other things, although such studies have been found to have a high likelihood of bias.^[1] Like many alternative medicines, it may benefit from a placebo effect.

Acupressure is an effective form of stimulation used to help relax the muscles. If done regularly, this method of self-massage can sustain improvement and minimize recurrence of symptoms. Be patient and consistent when practicing acupressure on them. A simple way to stimulate these points is to press firmly with a finger in a rotary movement or an up-and-down movement for several minutes at a time. It is recommended that you use this information under the guidance of your physician.

How to Administer Acupressure

• Use deep, firm pressure to massage and stimulate each point.
• When massaging acupoints, try to relax in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.
• Repeat the massage as often as you like; there is no limit to the number of times a day.
• Besides massaging these points on yourself, anyone can also help massage these points for you.

Uses

Most people try acupressure for the first time to manage symptoms of a condition, such as:

• Cancer-related fatigue
• Headache
• Menstrual cramps
• Motion sickness
• Muscle tension and pain
• Nausea or vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy
• Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and morning sickness
• Stress management

What Are Some of Common Acupressure Points to Learn?

Here is a list of eight commonly used acupressure points. Click the name to learn when to use each of the points and how to locate it.

Gallbladder :
This point is located by pinching the shoulder muscle with your thumb and middle finger and is commonly used for stress, facial pain, headaches, toothaches and neck pain. Use with caution in pregnant women.

Large Intestine :
This point is good for stress, headaches, toothaches, facial pain and neck pain. However, as a word of precaution, it can induce labor and must never be used during pregnancy.

Liver :
You need to take off your shoe to find this point. This is an excellent area to stimulate for stress, low back pain, high blood pressure, limb pain, insomnia and emotional upset.

Pericardium :
This point can help provide relief for nausea, anxiety, carpal tunnel syndrome, upset stomach, motion sickness and headaches and is even used for regulation of heart palpitations.

Triple Energizer :

This point is located in the groove formed by the tendons of the 4th and 5th finger, behind the knuckles and is commonly used in the clinic for temporal headaches, shoulder and neck tension, and upper back pain.

Spleen :
This point can be very helpful for many urological and pelvic disorders as well as fatigue and insomnia. Avoid during pregnancy.

Stomach :
You can find this point useful for fatigue and depression as well as knee pain and gastrointestinal discomfort. Asians frequently stimulate this point for health promotion and longevity.

Most Popular Acupressure Points for Self Treatment

• Hand Acupressure Points

• Foot Acupressure Points

• Leg Acupressure Points

• Abdominal Acupressure Points

• Face Acupressure Points

Most Common Acupressure Points for Self Treatment (mentioned above) can be explained in detail as under:

Hand Acupressure Points:

Acupressure Points on Hand are very helpful for Self Treatment. There are a few common pressure points situated on Hand which should be stimulated regularly as Self Treatment. Applying pressure on Hand Acupressure Points for Self Treatment will help in reducing many pains and problems. Hand Acupressure Points includes the following common pressure points:

Hand Valley Point:

Acupressure Hand Valley Point is most popular Acupressure Point that can heal various problems in human body. The Hand Valley Point is situated in between your Thumb and Pointer Finger. The exact spot where you find the Hand Valley Point is an active place between the Thumb and Index Finger. Applying pressure on Hand Valley Point on a regular basis will help you to remove excess heat from body, reduce Stress, Headache, Migraine, Tooth ache, Shoulder tension, Neck pain, Constipation problem etc.

Base of Thumb Point:

Acupressure Base of Thumb Point is one of the most common points for Self Treatment. The Base of Thumb point is situated in base of your thumb above the wrist. Find the Base of Thumb Acupressure Point as displayed in below picture. Apply firm pressure on Base of Thumb Acupressure Point on a regular basis to get relief from Breathing problems, coughing etc.

Wrist Point 1:

Acupressure Wrist Point 1 is very useful to relieve stress. You can easily get rid of day to day stress in a few minutes by applying pressure on Wrist Point 1. Acupressure Wrist Point 1 is most commonly used Acupressure Point for Self Treatment by many people. Find the Wrist Point 1 on your wrist in line up with little finger. You can easily find the exact Wrist Point 1 as shown in below picture. Apply pressure on a regular basis to heal stress and improve your emotional state.

Inner Gate Point:

Acupressure Inner Gate Point is very helpful to relieve nausea. The Inner Gate Point is situated on your wrist. Find exact pressure point of Inner Gate Point at about three centimeters distance from wrist crease (bend). Find the Acupressure Inner Gate Point as displayed in picture below. Apply firm pressure on daily basis to get relief in indigestion problems, nausea, stomach pain and anxiety.

Large Intestine Point:

Acupressure Large Intestine Points is also a common pressure point helpful for Self Treatment. You have to find the Large Intestine Point by bending your one had from elbow and put it on your chest. Find the exact point by moving your thumb of another hand from elbow to inner side. Fond the Large Intestine Point as mentioned in picture below. Applying pressure on large intestine point will be beneficial for removing unnecessary moisture and surplus heat from body. Large Intestine Point also reduces waste of water from body.

Foot Acupressure Points:

Acupressure Points on Foot are also helpful for Self Treatment in day to day life. Some pressure points on Foot are easy to apply and get relief in many problems. Most Common Acupressure Points on Foot which are used as Self Treatment include the following points:

Big Rushing Point:

Acupressure Big Rushing Point is very popular pressure point to relieve headache. The Big Rushing Point is situated in the valley of Big Toe and Second Toe. The exact spot for Acupressure Big Rushing Point is at one and half inches distance from Toes in the valley between Big Toe and Second Toe. Find the Big Rushing Point as displayed in below picture. Apply pressure on Big Rushing Point on a regular basis for faster relief in Headache. Big Rushing Point also heals eyes tiredness and foot cramps.

Above Tears Point:

Acupressure Above Tears Point is useful for Shoulder tension and sciatica. The Above Tears Point is situated on the webbing of last two Toes of your feet. You can easily find the exact point for Acupressure Above Tears Point at one inches distance from webbing of Fourth and Fifth Toe (on both feet). The picture of Above Tears Point is displayed below. Apply pressure on Acupressure Above Tears Point to get relief in Headache, Shoulder tension, Sciatica, arthritic pain and water retention.

Kidney 1 Point:

Acupressure Kidney 1 Point is also a popular pressure point which is generally used for Self Treatment. Many people apply the Kidney 1 Point to get relief in Headache and Neck pain. The Kidney 1 Point is situated on sole of your foot. Find the exact spot for Kidney 1 Point as displayed in picture below. Applying pressure on Acupressure Kidney 1 Point on a regular basis will help you to heal Headache, Dizziness, Neck pain, Loss of Consciousness, Nausea and Constipation.

Leg Acupressure Points:

Several Acupressure Points situated on leg are very effective in relieving many problems. The Leg Acupressure Points are important for healing the diseases through Self Treatment. Acupressure Points on Leg should be stimulated on daily basis to get faster benefits. The Leg Acupressure Points for Self Treatment include the following pressure points:

Ankle Point:

Acupressure Ankle Point is very popular pressure point to get better digestion system. The Ankle Point is situated on inner side of leg above the Ankle. Find the Acupressure Ankle Point exact two inches above the Ankle. The picture of Ankle Point is shown below. Applying pressure on Acupressure Ankle Point every day will help to improve your Digestion System, regulate the appetite and reduce the wastes.

Three Mile Point:

Acupressure Three Mile Point is helpful to relieve stomach exhaustion. The Three Mile Point is situated below the Knee. You can find the Acupressure Three Mile Point at 2 inches below the knee cap on outer side of leg. Find the Three Mile Point as displayed in picture below. Apply pressure on Acupressure Three Mile Point for reducing stomach aches, stomach exhaustion and improving digestion strength.

Commanding Middle Points:

Acupressure Commanding Middle Points are very effective in relieving back pain and urinal problems. The Commanding Middle Points are situated at exact backside of knee cap. Find the Commanding Middle Points on Center of Back of Knee crease same as displayed in picture. Applying pressure on Acupressure Commanding Middle Points will relieve Back pain, Stiffness in Back, Sciatica, Neck pain, Arthritis in Back, relief in extra urination, etc.

Abdominal Acupressure Points:

Acupressure Points situated in abdominal area are very useful as well as effective in Self Treatment. The Abdominal Points are situated at different spots in Abdominal area which provide different benefits. Apply pressure on Abdominal Acupressure Points to get relief from many troubles. The Abdominal Acupressure Points for Self Treatment include following pressure points:

Abdominal Sorrow Point:

Acupressure Abdominal Sorrow Point is beneficial in relieving indigestion and ulcer problems. The Abdominal Sorrow Point is situated above the Navel and below the last rib. You can find the Acupressure Abdominal Sorrow Point by starting from right line of earlobe at end of last rib of ribcage as displayed in picture below. Applying gentle pressure on Acupressure Abdominal Sorrow Point will help you in Self Treatment of ulcers, indigestion and pain in ribs.

Sea of Energy Point:

Acupressure Sea of Energy Point is helpful to relieve Gas, Constipation etc. The Sea of Energy Point is situated below the Belly button (Navel). You can find the Acupressure Sea of Energy Point about 2 centimeters below the Navel. The picture of Acupressure Sea of Energy Point is displayed below. Apply light pressure on Acupressure Sea of Energy Point to get Self Treatment of Digestive problems, abdominal pain, Gas, Lower Back pain, Constipation etc.

Face Acupressure Points:

Face Acupressure Points are very common pressure points for Self Treatment of Headache, Eyestrains, Indigestion, Ulcer pain, Sinus pain, Eye fatigue etc. Acupressure Face Points are very popular for relieving day to day common problems through Self Treatment. The Face Acupressure Points include following pressure points:

Third Eye Point:

Acupressure Third Eye Point is most popular point that is used by lots of people in daily routine as Self Treatment. The Third Eye Point is situated between the two eyebrows. The exact spot for Acupressure Third Eye Point is as displayed in below picture. Apply light pressure on Acupressure Third Eye Point every day to get relief in Headache, Ulcer pain, Hay Fever, indigestion and eyestrain.

Drilling Bamboo Points:

Acupressure Drilling Bamboo Points are very common points for Self Treatment of Sinus pain, Eye fatigue etc. The Drilling Bamboo Points are situated at ridge of the eyebrows. Find the Acupressure Drilling Bamboo Point at the spot where ridge of the eyebrows meet the bridge of the nose. The picture of Drilling Bamboo Points is as follows. Applying pressure on Acupressure Drilling Bamboo Points will be helpful in Eye fatigue, Headache, Pain in Eyes, Sinus pain etc.

Acupressure Points for Self Treatment NOTE:

Most Popular/Common Acupressure Points (described above) for Self Treatment of various diseases are very effective and easy to apply on a regular basis. Still it is advisable to learn the proper techniques of applying pressure. Kindly consult your family physician or an Acupressure Expert in case you have any doubt on applying Acupressure Points for Self Treatment.

Side Effects and Safety

Acupressure should never be painful. If you experience any pain, tell your therapist immediately. After an acupressure session, some people may feel soreness or bruising at acupressure points. You may also feel temporarily lightheaded.

Pressure should be gentle over fragile or sensitive areas, such as the face.

If you have a condition such as osteoporosis, recent fracture or injury, cancer, easy bruising, a bleeding disorder, heart disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, or are using anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications such as warfarin, you should speak to your doctor before trying acupressure.

If you are pregnant, you should speak to your care provider before trying acupressure. Acupressure typically isn't done on the abdomen or certain points on the leg or low back during pregnancy.

Acupressure shouldn't be done over open wounds, bruises, varicose veins, or any area that is bruised or swollen.

                                                                                   By - Ashutosh