Massaging acupoints to relieve symptoms is a unique daily health care method in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In addition to alleviating various pains, it can also help with lowering blood pressure and beauty treatments!
So, where exactly are each of these acupoints located? What symptoms do they target? Below is a super practical collection of commonly used health-enhancing acupoints that everyone should remember to save and share!
Baihui (百会穴)
✓
Location:
Baihui is located at the intersection of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of the ears, right at the center of the top of the head.
✓
Function:
Baihui is a convergence point for many acupoints in the body. Therefore, regularly massaging this point can stimulate most of the meridians and acupoints in our body.
★ If you want to nourish your brain, you don’t need to spend money on various health supplements; you have a nourishing acupoint right on your body, which is Baihui.
★ If you experience incontinence, pressing Baihui can also provide some relief.
Fengchi (风池穴)
✓
Location:
Located at the back of the neck, just below the occipital bone, in the depression between the two large tendons, level with the earlobe and the indentation at the back hairline.
✓
Function:
Pressing Fengchi can increase blood flow to the neck and brain, relieve neck stiffness, and enhance brain functions such as memory.
High blood pressure, colds, stiff neck, forgetfulness… Fengchi can address all these issues!
Jianjing (肩井穴)
✓
Location:
At the junction of the line above the nipple and the shoulder line.
✓
Function:
For conditions like shoulder periarthritis and frozen shoulder, pressing Jianjing can effectively relieve shoulder and neck issues.
Additionally, it can alleviate headaches, eye fatigue, tinnitus, and stiff neck.
Quchi (曲池穴)
✓
Location:
At the elbow, in the depression at the highest point when the elbow is flexed.
✓
Function:
★ To reduce heat: For throat inflammation and pain caused by excess heat, simply pressing Quchi can achieve the goal of clearing heat and dispelling fire.
★ To lower blood pressure: Quchi is the most effective point for lowering blood pressure. If your blood pressure is high, aside from medication, try this effective Quchi point to see if it can bring your blood pressure down!
Moreover, massaging this point can effectively relieve constipation caused by heat and dryness.
Zhongfu (膻中穴)
✓
Location:
At the center of the chest, at the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples.
✓
Function:
From a medical perspective, the action of thumping the chest is indeed a treatment for chest tightness, as the area being thumped is Zhongfu.
By stimulating Zhongfu, one can regulate the flow of Qi, restore its normal movement, and alleviate discomfort caused by negative emotions, eliminating their impact on the body’s Qi.
✓
Location:
Neiguan is located at the center of the wrist crease, about three finger widths above it.
✓
Function:
★ For motion sickness: Many people fear traveling due to motion sickness; try pressing Neiguan, which can provide some relief.
★ For stomach pain: Generally, people with stomach issues have Qi rising, causing discomfort, nausea, or vomiting. Therefore, once you feel stomach discomfort, pressing Neiguan can have an immediate effect.
Hegu (合谷穴)
✓
Location:
Hegu is located at the web between the thumb and index finger. When the thumb and index finger are brought together, the highest point of the muscle is Hegu.
✓
Function:
★ Treats facial diseases: Such as excessive sweating on the face, tonsillitis, sore throat, and tearing in the wind.
★ Various pain relief: Hegu is one of the most effective and commonly used acupoints for pain relief, such as toothache, headache, trigeminal neuralgia, abdominal pain, and arm pain.
Weizhong (委中穴)
✓
Location:
Located at the back of the knee, in the popliteal fossa, at the midpoint of the transverse crease when the leg is bent.
✓
Function:
In TCM, there is a saying, “Seek relief for the waist and back at Weizhong,” making it an important acupoint for treating back and waist diseases. Regularly pressing this point can effectively relieve neck soreness, back pain, or fatigue, and knee pain.
Zusanli (足三里)
✓
Location:
On the outer side of the lower leg, place the thumb at the knee and let the middle finger fall naturally down; the tip of the middle finger is Zusanli.
✓
Function:
This is a powerful acupoint for strengthening the body and mind. Regularly pressing or moxibusting this point can harmonize the stomach and intestines, strengthen the body, and prolong life. There is a saying in folk medicine, “Pressing Zusanli is better than eating old hen.”
★ For upper treatment: When there is bloating or pain in the upper stomach, press Zusanli while pushing upwards.
★ For middle treatment: If discomfort occurs in the middle abdomen, just press inward.
★ For lower treatment: For pain in the lower abdomen, press Zusanli while pushing downwards.
San Yin Jiao (三阴交)
✓
Location:
On the inner side of the lower leg, about three finger widths above the protruding bone of the ankle.
✓
Function:
For women seeking beauty, massaging this beauty acupoint—San Yin Jiao—can help protect the uterus and slow down the occurrence of wrinkles.
Yongquan (涌泉穴)
✓
Location:
In the depression that appears at the front of the foot when the toes are forcefully bent.
✓
Function:
Regularly massaging the soles of the feet can regulate the kidney meridian, tonify kidney Qi, strengthen the lower back, promote blood circulation in the feet, improve local nutrition, and smooth the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, thus relieving limb fatigue and achieving anti-aging and longevity effects.
Taichong (太冲穴)
✓
Location:
Located in the depression before the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones on the dorsum of the foot.
✓
Function:
Taichong is commonly known as the “venting bag”; as the name suggests, when you are angry, press it to vent your anger, massage, press, and knead to achieve the purpose of soothing the liver, relieving depression, and promoting the flow of Qi and blood, thus avoiding harm to the body from anger.
Source: Science Popularization China, Health Times
— END —
