It’s true that we all are so busy in our lives, thanks to our hectic schedules and over indulgence on tangible assets, laptops, smartphones etc., that we hardly have any time left to relax our body. Our life has become so stressful in completing daily tasks, achieving deadlines, that it makes us ignorant towards the suffering our body goes through. Stressful life, improper body posture, and long hours of continuous work have turned our body into a permanent home to pain and aches. Fortunately, acupressure can come to our rescue as it is an effective solution to get rid of these problems, that too at zero cost. Our body has several acupressure points which when pressed can provide instant relief on almost every pain. But first, let us understand….
What is Acupressure?
Acupressure is a form of touch therapy in which manual pressure is applied to stimulate concrete points of the body along the lines of energy. It is a therapy in complete harmony with nature. Acupressure points are those particular points on which pressure is applied for pain relief.
Acupressure Points for Instant Pain Relief:
1. Headache
Headache is one of the most common problems which we all face at some point or the other. In most cases, headaches are mild and vanish on their own with time, but for some people, the pain is so severe that it can affect their health. Acupressure is the easiest and quickest in providing relaxation and quick relief to these headaches.
Acupressure treatment for headache includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1- This acupressue point lies between the eyebrows, which is often called The Third Eye point. Apply pressure to this area for one minute to relieve the pain.
Point 2- This point is between the index finger and thumb. Pressing this point will give you instant relief.
Point 3- Apply pressure to either side of the nostrils to reduce headache.
Point 4 – This point lies between the big and second toe. Apply pressure for 10 minutes to reduce pain.
2. Shoulder Pain
The main causes of shoulder pain are stress, over exhaustion and the wrong position in which we sit or sleep. Shoulder pain can often lead to neck pain and headache.
Acupressure treatment for shoulder pain includes following pressure points:
Point 1 – This point is in the shoulder muscle, one thumb width above the end of the armpit. You can apply pressure here to get relief from the pain.
Point 2 – This point which is also known as Union Valley lies in between the thumb and the index finger.
Point 3 – The point is also known as Heaven’s Pillar which lies on the occipital ridge, in the hollow between the two neck muscles.
3. Toothache / Tooth Pain
Toothache or tooth pain is caused by nerve terminuses in the mouth just below the tooth, which engenders a painful throb. Toothaches are caused by cavities or food particles stuck at the base of the tooth. Poor oral hygiene is one of the common causes of toothache. Toothache occurs rarely but when it does, it can cause intense pain.
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Acupressure treatment/pressure points for tooth pain include:
Point 1 – Known as SI 18 or small intestine 18, this point lies at the lower edge of your cheekbone.
Point 2 – Place your finger in front of your ear hole. There would be a gap when you open your jaw. Carefully apply pressure to that gap.
Point 3 – This point lies between the second and the third toes. Apply pressure for 10 minutes to reduce the tooth pain.
Point 4 – This acupressure point is between the index finger and thumb. Pregnant women should avoid applying pressure to this point as it may result in inducing labour.
4. Knee Pain
A sudden injury or an overuse injury (damage to a bone, muscle, ligament, or tendon due to repetitive stress without allowing time for the body to heal) can cause knee pain. In many cases, knee pain causes chronic pain and leads to immobility. The problem of knee pain is profoundly prevalent among old people and the most prevalent reason being arthritis.
Acupressure treatment for knee pain includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1 – Apply pressure to the back of the knee joint for 3-5 minutes.
Point 2 – The point below the kneecap, at the centre of the depression.
Point 3 – Apply pressure to the point at the upper border of the knee-cap.
Point 4 – This acupressure point lies between the second and the third toes. Apply pressure for 10 minutes to reduce the pain.
5. Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain mostly occurs in the form of cramps, frequently recurring. In most cases, the reason for pain is not serious and can be easily treated. Gas, constipation, menstruation cramps, food poisoning are some of the common causes of abdominal pain.
Acupressure treatment for abdominal pain includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1 – Apply pressure (carefully) to the point located one thumb-width above where your navel is. This point is also known as the Center of Power.
Point 2 – Apply pressure to the point, also known as Sea of Energy, located two finger-widths below where your navel is.
Point 3 – Apply pressure to Inner Gate point, lies in the backside of the wrist, at a distance of three fingers width from the wrist crease.
Point 4 – There is a bone at the inner part of the ankle joint, from the tip of this bone move four finger-widths upward and apply pressure to that point. Stimulating this point at the later stages of pregnancy is strictly prohibited.
6. Menstrual Pain
Menstruation is the monthly discharge of blood and mucosal tissues from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. Menstrual-related discomfort usually includes abdominal pain and cramps that can be relieved by stimulating points on the abdomen, back, arms or legs.
Acupressure treatment for menstrual pain includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1 – Apply pressure to the middle of the crease in the pelvic area, the point where the legs come in contact with the trunk. It is also known as Mansion Cottage point.
Point 2 – Apply pressure around the pelvic area, in the middle of the crease where the legs join the torso. It is also known as Rushing Door point.
Point 3 – This acupressure point is located at the inner ankle bone area, four finger-widths above it.
Point 4 – Known as Union Valley point, this acupressure point is found in the fleshy joint in both hands between the index finger and thumb.
Acupressure Points for Some Common Problems:
1. Common Cold
Cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. It can make your nose completely dry or runny.
Acupressure treatment for common cold includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1 – Apply pressure below the thumb, on the wrist crease, on the palm side of your hand.
Point 2 – Below the base of the skull, this point lies in the hollow between the two neck muscle.
Point 3 – Bend your elbow, the same way as you do a bicep curl. Apply pressure to the edge of the elbow crease.
Point 4 – This acupressure point is between the index finger and thumb.
2. Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus. You can try these acupressure techniques to reduce asthma, apart from taking your prescribed medicines.
Acupressure treatment for asthma includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1 – Apply pressure to three finger widths below your collar bone, located at the outer part of the chest (mentioned as A in the given image). Doing this daily would help relieve breathing difficulties, stress, and congestion.
Point 2 – Your shoulder blade is one finger width below the upper tip of your shoulder. Apply pressure to this point for 2-3 minutes.
Point 3 – Apply pressure below the base of the thumb, on the grooves of wrist crease, on the palm side of your hand.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. When the pancreas does not produce insulin at all, it is called Type 1 Diabetes and is often diagnosed in children. When the body does not produce enough insulin, it is called Type 2 Diabetes.
Acupressure treatment for Diabetes includes the following acupressure points.
Point 1- This acupressure point lies a little before your largest toe and the second toe. Massage this area for 5 minutes regularly to control your diabetes.
Point 2- This acupressure point is between the index finger and thumb. Apply pressure to this area daily for 5 minutes to control your sugar levels.
Point 3- This acupressure point lies near the wrist, on the inside of your palm. The side where the little finger of your hand lies. Massage this point regularly for 5 minutes to have a stress free heart which will automatically control your diabetes.
4. High Blood Pressure:
High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. High blood pressure can put extra strain on your heart which can have a long-term effect on your health.
Acupressure treatment for high blood pressure includes the following acupressure points:
Point 1 – This point is located on the inner forearm, three finger-widths away from the wrist crease. It is also known as the Inner Gate or Pericardium 6 (PC 6)
Point 2 – Bend your elbow. Apply pressure to the edge of the elbow crease. This acupressure point is also known as the Crooked Pond or Large Intestine 11 point.
Point 3 – Large Intestine 4 or Union valley point lies in the webbing between the index finger and thumb.
Point 4 – This acupressure point lies at the top of the foot little before your largest toe and the second toe. It is also acknowledged as Liver 3 or Bigger Rushing Point.
You can get more information on blood pressure monitoring if you want to control your blood pressure quickly.
These are some of the main acupressure points, where on applying pressure, you can control many diseases and get quick pain relief. Acupuncture & Acupressure utilize the same pressure points but Acupuncture employs needles while Acupressure uses finger pressure. So next time if you are experiencing any body pain, press these acupressure points, stimulate them, release muscular tension, promote the circulation of blood, get relief from pain and enhance the body’s life force energy to aid healing.