Pressure points through hand: Diagram and applications

Pressure points through hand: Depiction and applications

Various pressure points exist throughout the human body, and some individuals believe that manipulating these spots, including hand pressure points, can influence other body parts and overall health. These locations correspond to the acupressure points utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM experts identified specific regions they thought improved energy flow throughout the body.

Today, plenty of individuals practice these traditional therapies. Practitioners of acupressure utilize pressure points in their healing treatments.

For those interested in acupressure, hand pressure points are particularly prominent. Continue reading for more information.

Lung meridian

The lung meridian (LU) extends from the chest to the tip of the thumb, including the wrist's crease. This pathway comprises 11 pressure points, five of which are situated on the hand and wrist. These consist of:

Lieque, also known as Interrupted Sequence or Lung 7
Jingqu, also known as Channel Ditch or Lung 8
Taiyuan, also known as Great Deep Pool or Lung 9
Yuji, also known as Fish Border or Lung 10
Shaoshang, also known as Lesser Metal or Lung 11

Applying pressure to these pressure points in the hand is believed to promote overall health and well-being, as well as the respiratory and immune systems.

Shenmen

Shenmen translates to Spirit Gate.

The heart meridian route spans from just below the shoulder to the tip of the little finger. It encompasses nine pressure points, with the key point situated at the seventh. People may also refer to this pressure point as Heart 7.

Applying pressure to this pressure point is thought to aid in:

alleviating depression
reducing anxiety
combating insomnia
managing blood pressure
alleviating headaches
relieving pain in the arm and wrist
enhancing circulation
revitalizing energy levels

Nei Guan

Nei Guan translates to Inner Pass. People may also refer to this pressure point as Pericardium 6.

This pressure point is not directly on the hand. To locate it, position the hand palm-up and use three fingers to measure roughly an inch down the wrist. It is approximately situated in the center of the wrist.

Practitioners suggest applying firm pressure to this pressure point using the thumb of the opposite hand to support the digestive and immune systems. It may also help alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemotherapy treatment.

He Gu

He Gu translates to Union Valley. People may also refer to this pressure point as Large Intestine 4.

A person can discover the He Gu pressure point between the first finger and the thumb.

Practitioners claim that applying firm pressure to the hand valley point can reduce stress and tension in the body.

Weiguan

Weiguan translates to Outer Pass. People may also refer to this pressure point as San Jiao or Triple Warmer 5.

The Weiguan pressure point is almost parallel to the Nei Guan pressure point on the top side of the hand and arm, between two tendons.

Applying pressure to this area is thought to help with headaches and migraines.

Houxi

Houxi, which translates to Back Rivine, lies on the side of the hand just below the little finger and above one of the hand’s large creases. People may also refer to this pressure point as Small Intestine 3.

Applying firm pressure to this point may help relieve earaches, headaches in the back of the head, neck pain, and upper back pain.

10 dispersions

The tips of each finger are home to these 10 pressure points.

Applying pressure or using acupuncture on these points could help alleviate some common flu symptoms, such as a high fever or a sore throat.

Four seams

A person can find the four seams on the inside of each of the large joints in the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger.

Adherents of acupressure believe that these points can help address digestive problems, especially in children.

Does pressure point therapy work?

Although clinical study results are inconsistent, applying pressure to specific points in the body may help reduce pain. For example, the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center recommends acupressure to aid in pain relief related to cancer.

Acupressure may also alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

A study found that acupressure is effective for mild to moderate symptoms of depression. The authors do note, however, that no confirmed evidence exists to establish its effectiveness for those with severe depressive disorders.

Additionally, another study discovered that acupressure could provide immediate relief from anxiety-related to various health conditions.

Although research is limited, acupressure appears to be safe. An individual can incorporate acupressure into their doctor-recommended medical treatments.

Safety

Acupressure and reflexology are generally safe with few side effects. However, people may wish to consult a doctor before applying pressure to certain pressure points in the hand if:

they are pregnant
there is a wound or rash near the pressure point
the skin near the pressure point is damaged
there is swelling, warmth, pus, or skin color changes near the pressure point

It is essential to note that people who have previously had blood clots or have risk factors for blood clots should consult a doctor before receiving acupressure or massage.

Individuals can embark on self-acupressure or seek assistance from a licensed expert who's well-versed in pressure points and their functions. It's crucial to mention that the scientific backing for employing pressure points to alleviate ailments is rather scant. Nevertheless, applying hand pressure points as a complementary method to conventional medical procedures poses no risk.

Some individuals with psoriatic disease might explore hand pressure points as a potential complementary treatment, as acupressure has been suggested to help reduce pain and inflammation in various conditions.
While there's ongoing research, acupressure has shown promise in managing symptoms of Crohn's disease, such as abdominal pain and discomfort. By applying pressure to specific points, such as the Triple Warmer 5 (Weiguan), some people report relief.
Arthritis patients may benefit from incorporating acupressure into their treatment plan, as it could potentially help manage joint pain and inflammation. The large intestine 4 (He Gu) pressure point, located between the thumb and index finger, is often recommended for this purpose.
Those suffering from migraines might explore acupressure as a potential treatment, as some studies suggest that applying pressure to certain points, like the LI-4 (Hegu) and Shenmen, can help alleviate migraine symptoms.
Acupressure could potentially be beneficial for individuals with hepatitis, as certain pressure points, like the spleen 6 (San Yin Jiao) and liver 3 (Ta Chu), have been linked to supporting liver function and overall health. However, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment plan, including acupressure.