10 Acupressure Points for Pain Relief That Will Upgrade Your QOL

9. Insomnia and Stress: Heavenly Pillar

Stiff necks and eye strain are very common complaints in the modern day – with most of us spending hours looking down at our computers or phone screens.

The heavenly pillar acupressure points, or Tianzhu by their Chinese name, have been shown to be excellent for relieving eye strain and neck pain, as well as reducing stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and insomnia. It can also help with persistent skin problems such as acne.

Much upper neck pain is a result of the atlas (the first cervical vertebrae) being out of alignment or lacking movement – targeting the heavenly pillar helps to realign the vertebrae, and release trapped energy. Once again, the heavenly pillar pressure points lie on the bladder meridian – the longest meridian in the body with the most amount of points on its path. The bladder meridian is also a yang meridian which means it has to be paired with a ying meridian – the kidney meridian. Within the twelve meridians, there are two types of meridian a ying meridian and yang meridian which must always be paired.

The heavenly pillar points are a pair of pressure points located one finger-width below the base of the skull on each side. They can be found on the prominent neck muscles located half an inch out from the spine. Pressing these acupressure points for several minutes daily for several weeks can help relieve stress and tension, particularly in the back of the neck. As with any of the acupressure points – if you are performing them on another person – ensure that you are checking whether the level of pressure is comfortable. Pressure should always be gentle to firm but should never cause discomfort.

10. Improving Concentration: Bigger Rushing

Improving our concentration is something that many of us strive for in today’s fast-paced world where it can seem like we have a million tasks to do at any one time. One particular pressure point has been found to help with concentration and memory.

Bigger Rushing (LV 3) is an acupressure point, which lies on the liver meridian. It is located on the top of the foot, where the bones of the big toe and the second toe meet. It is thought to be a good pressure point for improving concentration and memory by encouraging clarity and focus. It also helps to relieve headaches, fight fatigue, soothe tired eyes, reduce hangovers, prevent allergies, and boost the immune system as it keeps the body’s energy flowing smoothly.

Press it gently but firmly with your fingertip for a couple of minutes, and then release. As with all acupressure techniques, take long, deep breaths as you are doing so to feel the maximum benefit.

Do this 2 or 3 times a day for several weeks to start seeing results. This can be particularly good to do in times where concentration is vital such as during exam periods or busy periods at work. By promoting clarity, it helps us to make decisions in a calm and rational way with a more focused approach.

General Warning:

Acupressure is generally considered safe, however, there are some pressure points which may not be safe for some people i.e if you are pregnant, suffering from arthritis, heart disease, cancer or other chronic conditions. If you have an existing medical condition please consult a medical professional before receiving acupressure treatments. Avoid applying pressure to points on a full or empty stomach. Broken and healing skin should also be avoided.

The science behind acupressure has been disputed by Western medicine, with most practitioners attributing any benefit to the release of muscle tension, a release of endorphins, and improved circulation. However, various studies have found that as an alternative therapy it can be very beneficial for relieving specific aches and pains.