5 acupressure points you can apply yourself

Acupressure is one of the few complementary medical methods well suited for personal use. No needles, no equipment, usable anywhere. The following five points are the most important for the most common everyday complaints, and can be learned with minimal effort.

How to apply acupressure correctly

Before the points: a few basic rules.

Pressure technique: with thumb, index finger, or middle finger, apply steady, firm pressure. The pressure should be clearly noticeable but not sharply painful. Many points have a characteristic “De-Qi” feeling, a dull, slightly radiating pressure. That’s a good sign.

Duration: 30 seconds to 2 minutes per point. You can press statically or work in slow small circles.

Frequency: with acute complaints, several times a day. As a regular routine, once daily for relaxation.

Breathing: calm and deep, best into the abdomen. Breathing strengthens the effect.

General contraindications: – Don’t press on open wounds, fresh scars, or inflamed skin – With heart conditions, severe skin diseases, or cancer, first consult a doctor – During pregnancy, avoid certain points, see notes at individual points

1. LI4 (Hegu), for headaches and general pain

Location: on the back of the hand, in the depression between thumb and index finger when lightly pressed together. Roughly at the highest point of the muscle that then forms.

Effect: the most important pain point in TCM. Works against headaches of all kinds (especially in the front of the head), toothache, general muscle tension, sometimes also at the onset of a cold.

Application: with the thumb of the other hand, press firmly for 1 to 2 minutes. Do both hands.

⚠️ Avoid during pregnancy, considered labour-inducing.

2. PC6 (Neiguan), for nausea, heart palpitations, motion sickness

Location: inside of the wrist, three finger-widths (about 4 cm) above the wrist crease, exactly between the two clearly visible tendons in the middle.

Effect: the scientifically best-documented acupressure point. Effective for nausea (pregnancy, chemotherapy, motion sickness, post-surgery), heart palpitations, and stress reactions.

Application: press firmly with the thumb for 1 to 2 minutes. For motion sickness, there are acupressure wristbands (Sea-Band and similar) that continuously stimulate this point.

✓ Permitted during pregnancy, explicitly recommended for morning sickness.

3. HT7 (Shenmen), for sleep problems, restlessness, anxiety

Location: inside of the wrist, in the depression at the little-finger side of the wrist crease. You feel a small notch as you run your finger along the wrist crease toward the little-finger side.

Effect: “spirit gate”, calms the nervous system, helps with trouble falling and staying asleep, heart palpitations, inner restlessness, anxiety.

Application: gentle, calming pressure for 1 to 2 minutes. Particularly effective in the evening before sleep.

✓ Permitted during pregnancy.

4. GB20 (Fengchi), for neck tension and headaches

Location: at the base of the skull in the neck, in the two clear depressions left and right of the spine, at the border between skull and neck musculature.

Effect: for tension headaches, neck tension from screen work, migraine, eye fatigue. One of the most effective points for “office complaints”.

Application: place both thumbs or both middle fingers in the depressions. Tilt the head slightly back so the weight rests on the fingers. Hold for 1 to 2 minutes.

✓ Permitted during pregnancy.

5. ST36 (Zusanli, “Three-Mile Point”), for low energy and digestive issues

Location: on the lower leg, four finger-widths below the kneecap, one finger-width lateral to the tibia outward. Running a finger along the tibia downward, you find it in the depression.

Effect: classical point for strengthening, used in TCM for exhaustion, digestive issues (diarrhoea, bloating, feeling of fullness), immune weakness, and general strengthening. The name “Three-Mile Point” refers to the idea that after stimulation, one can supposedly walk another three miles.

Application: 1 to 2 minutes of strong pressure. On both legs. Particularly effective in self-application in the evening.

✓ Permitted during pregnancy.

Bonus: Yintang, the “Third Eye Point”

Not strictly part of the main meridians, but very effective:

Location: exactly in the middle between the eyebrows.

Effect: calms the mind, helps with forehead headaches, concentration problems, inner restlessness. Combined with HT7, an excellent point for stress moments.

Application: 30 seconds of gentle circular pressure with the middle finger. Good before a meeting or with exam anxiety.

When self-application is enough, and when not

Self-application is sufficient for: – Acute headaches of light to moderate intensity – Everyday stress – Mild help falling asleep – Travel or pregnancy nausea – Light muscle tension

Professional treatment is better for: – Chronic pain and tension – Recurring migraine attacks – Persistent sleep disorders – Cycle complaints over several cycles – When self-application helps only briefly

What self-application can teach

Those who use the points regularly develop over time a differentiated body awareness. You notice earlier when the neck tightens, when stress prevents falling asleep, when the nervous system should wind down again. This increased body mindfulness is perhaps the biggest side effect of regular acupressure, and often the most lasting.

Professional acupressure goes deeper

Self-application is valuable but limited:

• You can’t reach certain points yourself well (e.g. back)
• You have no overall picture of your constitutional pattern
• You can’t comprehensively work the meridian lines
• You don’t reach the same depth of relaxation

For chronic issues, a combination is worthwhile: regular self-application plus 1x per month professional treatment.

Pricing for professional acupressure

Acupressure 60 min.: CHF 140 Acupressure 90 min.: CHF 190 EMR-certified · reimbursement receipt (tariff 590) included

All acupressure treatments · Book appointment · WhatsApp consultation

Also of interest: Relaxation massage for deeper effect

Sources

• Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M. A Manual of Acupuncture. 2nd edition, Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, 2007.
• Lee EJ, Frazier SK. The efficacy of acupressure for symptom management: A systematic review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2011;42(4):589-603.

Individual results may vary. This content does not replace medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How hard should I press for acupressure?

Clearly noticeable, but not painful. Many points have a characteristic dull, slightly radiating pressure sensation (De-Qi). Sharp or uncomfortable pain means: reduce pressure.

How long should I press each point?

30 seconds to 2 minutes per point. For acute complaints, longer and several times a day; for regular routine, 30 to 60 seconds are enough.

Which points can I apply during pregnancy?

Permitted: PC6 (against nausea), HT7 (for calming), GB20 (for neck tension), ST36 (strengthening). Strictly avoid: LI4, SP6, BL32, BL60, GB21, all points with potentially labour-inducing effect.

Can I do something wrong with acupressure?

If you observe the basic rules (no open wounds, no inflamed skin, no pregnancy-taboo points), acupressure is very safe. With unclear complaints, still don’t rely on acupressure alone, medical evaluation comes first.

### Read more Migraine without medication → · Sleep problems & stress → · TCM for women’s health → · Acupressure vs. acupuncture →

### Arrange a consultation Book appointment · WhatsApp