Acupressure is an alternative therapy that can be applied to relieve headache, menstrual cramps and other pains that arise in the day to day. This technique, like acupuncture, originates in traditional Chinese medicine and is indicated to relieve pain or to stimulate the functioning of organs through the pressure of specific points on the hands, feet, and arms.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, these points represent the encounter of nerves, veins, arteries and vital channels, which makes them energetically connected with the whole organism.
So that you can use Acupressure for relief of headaches or tension, stress, menstrual cramps, allergies and nausea, here are 4 points of acupressure that can be stimulated.
Know the 3 Main Points of Acupressure
1. To combat stress and headache
This acupressure point is located between the right thumb and index finger. Starting from the right hand, to press this point your hand should be relaxed, with your fingers slightly curved and the point should be pressed with the left thumb and the left index finger, so that these two fingers form a forceps. The remaining fingers of the left hand should be at rest, just below the right hand.
To press the acupressure point, you should start by applying pressure firmly for 1 minute until you feel a slight pain or burning sensation in the region being tightened, which means you are pressing the right location. After that, you should release your fingers for 10 seconds, then repeat the pressure again.
This process should be repeated 2 to 3 times in both hands.
2. To combat menstrual cramps
This acupressure point is located in the center of the palm. To press this point, you should use the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand, putting the fingers in the form of tweezers. In this way, the point can be pressed simultaneously on the back and palm of the hand.
To press the acupressure point, you should start by applying pressure firmly for 1 minute until you feel a slight pain or burning sensation in the region being tightened, which means you are pressing the right location. After that, you should release your fingers for 10 seconds, then repeat the pressure again.
This process should be repeated 2 to 3 times in both hands.
3. To improve digestion and fight sickness
This point of acupressure is located on the sole of the foot, just below the space between the big toe and the second toe, where the bones of these two fingers intersect. To press this point, you should use the hand on the opposite side, pressing the sole of the foot with your thumb and the opposite side with your index finger, so that the fingers of the hand form a forceps that surrounds the foot.
To press this acupressure point, you must press hard for about 1 minute, releasing the foot at the end for a few seconds to stand.
You should repeat this process 2 to 3 times on both feet.
4. To relieve the symptoms of coughing, sneezing and allergies
This acupressure point is located on the inside of the arm in the region of the arm fold. To press it, you must use the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand, so that the fingers are arranged in tweezers around the arm.
To press this point of acupressure, you must press hard until you feel a slight pain or stabbing, maintaining the pressure for approximately 1 minute. After this time, release the point for a few seconds to rest.
You should repeat this process 2 to 3 times in the arms.
These pressing points alleviate various problems such as headaches or tension, stress, menstrual cramps, allergies or nausea, for example, and the technique should be done at least once a day to be effective. When performing stimulation of acupressure points it is recommended to do so in a comfortable place where the body can lie down and relax.
As with Acupuncture, Acupressure should only be used as a form to supplement clinical treatment, and it is recommended that you consult your physician to identify and treat the source of the pain.
Who can perform acupressure
Anyone can practice this technique at home, but it is not recommended for the treatment of diseases that need medical attention, and should not be applied to areas of the skin with wounds, warts, varicose veins, burns, cuts or cracks. Also, this technique should also not be used by pregnant women without medical monitoring or by a trained professional.
