Active Health: Acupressure

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” - Ralph Marston

"The future depends on what you do today." - Mahatma Gandhi

“What you do today, creates every tomorrow.” - Oprah

Helping you help yourself is my motto. I believe that each of us is most responsible for our own health. True, we cannot change our genetics. True, we may do everything “right” and still have symptoms and illness. True, some people live long even though they seem to ignore all common knowledge about good health.

Nevertheless, we can—and do—impact our health with the things that we do and don’t do.

January always brings New Year’s resolutions and excitement about change for the better. But February and March often end up demonstrating a loss of momentum for those positive changes, as New Year’s resolutions are sadly shelved until the following year.

What I like to suggest to my patients is to consider making small lifestyle changes bit by bit, instead of in one giant leap. These changes add up over time and make your larger goals easier to attain. In addition, the feeling of accomplishment that comes with achieving success at the little changes helps to prompt you to keep going.

As a first step, why not try some acupressure? You can do-it-yourself, it’s easy, and you’ll feel better!

For Stress

The point called Yintang is my number one request point from my patients. Unbelievably, yes, I do actually have a number one requested point! And it’s on your face! Yintang is located at the centre point between your eyebrows. To stimulate this point, apply firm pressure with your finger or thumb, moving upward from the top of your nose to slightly above Yintang. Do this action for about 1 minute.

For Headaches

The most commonly used point for headaches is called LI4 or Hegu (“joining valley”). Hegu is located on the back of your hand. Find the tender spot close to the meeting point of the bones of your thumb and index finger. This point is called a “command point” for the head and face. It’s best for frontal headaches, but I would try it for any headache.

For Digestion

While there are many points that can be used for digestion, one acupressure point you can easily locate is ST36 or Zusanli (“three leg mile”). This point is found on the lower leg, one hand width below the bottom of the kneecap when the leg is bent at 90 degrees, and one finger width to the outside of the shin bone. Again, look for the point that is a little tender.

For Nausea

If you have nausea, whether it’s because of motion sickness, illness, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, morning sickness, or other, a really effective point is P6 or Neiguan (“medial pass”). The point is located on the inside of your forearm, 3 finger widths up from the crease of your wrist (where you bend your wrist) and between the 2 prominent tendons. You can even buy acupressure bands at many pharmacies that are basically wide elastic bands with a plastic knob that is directed over the point to apply continuous pressure.

These are just some of the many acupressure points that can be used to get you started on the right path to better health.