Do it Yourself Acupressure Points
In most cases, acupuncture stimulation with a needle is much more effective and long-lasting than acupressure, but here are a few points that can be invaluable to know, and are very effective with acupressure alone that you can learn to do on your own.
The Intestine Point
Whether it’s cramping, bloating, distension or even sluggish digestion, the following point works wonders as an acupressure point. If you lay your hand and forearm flat on a table palm down, this point is found on the forearm about three finger-widths down from the crease of the elbow, and about one-third the distance from the edge of the forearm facing you to the edge facing away from you. Find the spot that is sore, and press for 5 minutes. You should feel relief within a few minutes, so keep pressing until you feel improvement. When pressing this point, your mindset should be one of firmness and determination, as opposed to stress or tension. Think quiet strength as opposed to “forcing it.”
The Nausea Point
Regardless of the cause of the nausea, whether it be morning sickness, sea sickness or in response to medication, this point will give relief. The point is found about two finger widths up from the crease of your wrist, on the palm side right in the middle. This point is often not sore, but will help to improve the nausea within a few minutes. This point is associated with the fire element, and the heart, so your mind should be kept as empty and clear as possible when stimulating it.
The Headache Point
This point works very well for headache or migraine relief. Find the sore point in the meat of your hand between the thumb and pointer finger. Interestingly, this point may move a little bit, but keep following it (the sore point) as you press. When pressing this point, a combination of very firm physical pressure should be combined with a very soft intention to get the headache moving. This intention to “move the headache” starts out like a trickle when you first begin to press the point, and should grow into a strong current as you continue to press it for about 5 minutes. Often the headache will go away almost completely while pressing the point, but return at a lower intensity a short while after the pressure stops. Most often, though, the headache will begin to slowly clear over the next few hours.
These points can be effective when applied to oneself, but are best stimulated by a companion so that the person feeling the discomfort can relax completely. Give them a try, and have a more comfortable winter season!
