30 Mar Our Favourite Acupuncture/Acupressure Points For March!
30 Mar 2022
The power in one single point of the body can be amazing. Here are the acupressure points we have focused on in March that can make a difference to your physical and mental health.
Please note, not every point is for everyone. While some are powerful in helping some conditions, we recommend reading through their descriptions below to see if you should incorporate them into your at-home acupressure routine.
FENG CHI (“Wind Palace” or “Gallbladder 20”)
Feng Chi (also known as “Wind Palace” 🌬, GB20 or Gallbladder 20) is an acupuncture point located at the meeting-place of the base of the skull and top of the neck, just lateral to the tendons of the trapezius muscle. Using acupressure or acupuncture at this point may help with things associated to the head and neck, such as headache, stiff neck, red and sore eyes and nasal obstruction associated with allergies or common cold. A wonderful benefit of rubbing these points is that they have a relaxing and balancing effect on the nervous system.
Massaging these two spots may make you feel good naturally and you may have come across these points spontaneously for the relief they can sometimes offer.
To activate Feng Chi you can simply slide the tip of your middle fingers or thumbs to where your skull meets your neck at the back of the head along the centreline. Then slide them out over the trapezius tendons (which feel like two thick ropes) and you will feel them “land” in the pool of GB20. Apply moderate pressure in a circular motion for 1-3 minutes and repeat as needed
NEI GUAN (“Inner Pass” or “Pericardium 6”)
Pericardium 6, also known as Nei Guan, PC 6 and “Inner Gate” is an excellent point for treating nausea, whether that nausea is caused by motion sickness, pregnancy or simply by indulging a bit more than you should have the night before.
Another wonderful use for this point is to “calm the Shen”, which simply translates to calming the mind and reducing anxiety. It can also be used to open up the chest. For example, during times of anxiety and stress when there is a feeling of tightness in the chest and palpitations, massaging this point will help to ease that tight feeling. Pericardium 6 in fact helps to regulate Heart Qi and the overall Qi in the body. 💚
To locate, look at the inside of your wrist and make a fist. You’ll see two tendons pop up. Place the middle three fingers of your other hand so your ring finger lines up with the crease of your wrist. PC 6 is located directly underneath your pointer fingers, between the two tendons
SHENMEN (“Spirit Gate” or “Heart 7”)
Shenmen, also known as Heart 7 or “Spirit Gate”, is located at the wrist joint. You can find the Heart 7 point just on the inside of the small bone that is in line with the little finger. It is the 7th acupoint of the Heart meridian 💚
As its name suggests, this acupuncture point is fantastic for calming the mind and helping to resolve symptoms such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, and heart palpitations by deepening the inner connection to one’s spirit. Because Heart 7 is the source point for the Heart channel, it also helps regulate any condition related to the heart and the circulation of blood throughout the body. Examples include high blood pressure, low blood pressure, anemia, and varicose veins.
Apply gentle pressure for a couple of minutes to this point and let us know what you notice 🌱,
LARGE INTESTINE 4 (“Joining Valley” or “Li4)
Yin Tang is located in the area between the eyebrows most commonly known as the “third eye”. It is unique in that it does not have any association with any meridian in the body, even though it does fall along the Governing Vessel meridian.
Yin Tang’s English name means “Hall of Impression”. To remember this you can associate it with one of its main functions – to help with anxiety or stress. So, when we are stressed we don’t always put forward our best selves. Instead we give an inauthentic impression. Pressing the Yin Tang point can help with the emotional stress that gets in the way of leaving that correct impression.
You can apply 2-3 minutes of firm pressure to help relieve anxiety and stress, or if you want to help with insomnia due to that dastardly overthinking. You can also use this powerful point to help with allergies that cause nasal congestion, sinus headaches, and itchy eyes, which are common during this time of the year. You can also apply some small massage-like circles while applying pressure.
Acupressure can make a difference, but when these points are needled by a qualified Acupuncturist like Peter the effects will be even more powerful and specific to your condition!
Book an appointment with Peter online today!
You can see our list of our favourite acupressure points regularly updated on our Facebook and Instagram!