Acupoint Wellness
Use Fingers as Needles · Activate Body’s Self-Healing Power
The human body has 361 meridian acupoints, each a window for dialogue between body and nature. Master key acupoint massage techniques to recharge your health anytime, anywhere.
Neck · Strategic Gateway
The neck is the pathway for qi-blood to reach the head. Prolonged sitting and低头最容易淤堵.
Fengchi (GB20) – Wind Pool
Benefits: Dispels wind, disperses cold, relieves surface, stops pain. Treats headache, dizziness, stiff neck, colds, nasal congestion, red swollen eyes.
Method: Press both thumbs on Fengchi points on both sides, massage clockwise 2-3 minutes. Intensity should produce soreness. Coordinate with slow head lowering and raising for better effect.
Tianzhu (BL10) – Celestial Pillar
Benefits: Dispels wind, relieves surface, relaxes muscles, stops pain. Treats occipital headache, stiff neck with difficulty turning, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and back soreness.
Method: Press with thumb, moderate intensity, coordinate with slow head turning left-right. Each time 2-3 minutes. Immediate relief when back of head feels tight.
Fengfu (GV16) – Wind Mansion
Benefits: Awakens brain, opens orifices, dispels wind, disperses cold. Treats headache, stiff neck, dizziness, stroke, aphasia, sore throat.
Method: Press gently with thumb, intensity should not be too heavy. Each time 1-2 minutes. This point’s deep area is the medulla — avoid strong pressing.
Dazhui (GV14) – Great Hammer
Benefits: Relieves surface, clears heat, calms mind, boosts intelligence. Treats cold with fever, neck stiffness, insomnia, dreaminess, low immunity.
Method: Lower head, press with thumb or middle finger 3-5 minutes. Can combine with moxibustion for warming tonification, each session 15-20 minutes. Especially suitable for winter health maintenance.
Jianjing (GB21) – Shoulder Well
Benefits: Dispels wind, clears heat, unblocks channels, stops pain. Treats shoulder and neck pain, upper limb numbness, fatigue syndrome, insufficient lactation.
Method: Press and knead with middle finger of opposite hand, intensity from light to heavy, each time 2-3 minutes. Can also have someone else press with palm heel — immediate relief for shoulder and neck soreness.
Abdomen · Sea of Original Qi
The abdomen is the “palace of five zang and six fu,” where spleen and stomach original qi gather
Zhongwan (RN12) – Central Vents
Benefits: Strengthens spleen, harmonizes stomach, tonifies middle, calms mind. Treats stomach pain, bloating, vomiting, acid reflux, poor digestion, loss of appetite.
Method: Palm center at point, massage clockwise 3-5 minutes. Best done 1 hour after meals. Coordinate with abdominal breathing for spleen-stomach harmony.
Shenque (RN8) – Spirit Tower (Navel)
Benefits: Warms yang, rescues collapse, promotes urination, secures desertion. Treats abdominal pain, diarrhea, collapse with cold sweat, weak constitution, cold limbs.
Method: Palm gently at navel, massage clockwise 3-5 minutes. Can combine with moxibustion or heat pack. Do not press hard — gentle approach is key.
Tianshu (ST25) – Celestial Pivot
Benefits: Regulates intestines, harmonizes stomach, moves qi, invigorates blood. Treats bloating, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, irregular menstruation, abdominal pain, intestinal rumbling.
Method: Press and knead both Tianshu points simultaneously with both thumbs. Clockwise for constipation, counter-clockwise for diarrhea. Each time 3-5 minutes.
Qihai (RN6) – Sea of Qi
Benefits: Tonifies qi, secures origin, warms yang, boosts qi. Treats qi deficiency, fatigue, irregular menstruation, frequent urination, weak constitution, prone to illness.
Method: Massage clockwise with palm, coordinate with deep breathing. Light press on inhale, relax on exhale. Each time 3-5 minutes.
Guanyuan (RN4) – Gate of Origin
Benefits: Supplements original qi, guides red, unblocks urination. Treats irregular menstruation, seminal emission, impotence, frequent nighttime urination, weak constitution, fatigue.
Method: Massage with palm, coordinate with abdominal breathing. Each session 5 minutes. Can combine with moxibustion for tonification. Especially suitable for strengthening origin in winter-spring.
Waist · Fire of Life Gate
The waist is the house of kidneys. When Life Gate fire is abundant, yang qi fills the whole body
Mingmen (GV4) – Life Gate
Benefits: Tonifies kidney, strengthens yang, warms spleen, stops diarrhea. Treats lumbar and spinal pain, impotence, uterine cold, cold hands and feet, dawn diarrhea.
Method: Press with heel of palm or thumb point-press 3-5 minutes. Better combined with moxibustion. Mingmen is the “gate of life” — warming tonification should be gradual, key is consistency.
Yaoyangguan (GV3) – Waist Yang Pass
Benefits: Dispels cold, removes dampness, relaxes muscles, unblocks channels. Treats sacral and lumbar pain, lower limb weakness and numbness, irregular menstruation, seminal emission.
Method: Thumb point-press, coordinate with slow waist rotation. Each time 3-5 minutes. Can combine with moxibustion to warm and unblock Yaoyangguan, improve waist cold pain.
Shenshu (BL23) – Kidney Transport
Benefits: Benefits kidneys, strengthens waist, brightens eyes, sharpens ears. Treats lumbar pain, soreness, tinnitus, deafness, seminal emission, premature ejaculation, irregular menstruation, fear of cold.
Method: Both fists rub up-down until warm, each time 3-5 minutes. Can also press and knead with heel of palm, combine with moxibustion to warm and tonify kidney yang.
Dachangshu (BL25) – Large Intestine Transport
Benefits: Regulates qi, lowers rebellion, harmonizes intestines. Treats waist and leg pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids.
Method: Press and knead both Dachangshu points simultaneously with both thumbs, intensity from light to heavy. Each time 3 minutes. Especially suitable for those with waist pain accompanied by constipation.
Knees · Hub of Tendons & Bones
The knee is the house of tendons. As age increases, knees age first — protecting knees protects the freedom of walking
Heding (EX-LE2) – Crane’s Summit
Benefits: Dispels wind, dampness, unblocks joints. Treats knee pain, weakness, sore legs, lower limb paralysis.
Method: Thumb knead at depression above kneecap, coordinate with slow knee flexion-extension. Each time 2-3 minutes.
Xuehai (SP10) – Sea of Blood
Benefits: Invigorates blood, removes stasis, tonifies blood, nourishes blood. Treats irregular menstruation, knee soreness, skin eczema, anemia with sallow complexion.
Method: Thumb knead, moderate intensity to produce soreness. Each side 2-3 minutes. Kneading before menstruation can relieve menstrual pain.
Neixiyan (EX-LE4) / Waixyan (ST35) – Inner/Eye of Knee (Dubi)
Benefits: Unblocks channels, invigorates blood, stops pain. Treats knee pain, weakness, joint effusion, sore legs.
Method: Thumb point-press inner and outer Xiyan points respectively, coordinate with knee flexion-extension. Each point 2 minutes. Especially suitable for knee pain when climbing stairs.
Yinlingquan (SP9) – Yin Mound Spring
Benefits: Strengthens spleen, drains dampness, unblocks lower jiao. Treats knee joint soreness, abdominal bloating, edema, difficult urination, seminal emission, vaginal discharge.
Method: Thumb knead, intensity from light to heavy. Each time 2-3 minutes. Frequent massage has remarkable effect for those with dampness and leg swelling.
Zusanli (ST36) – Three Miles on Leg
Benefits: Tonifies spleen, strengthens stomach, upright source. Treats stomach pain, bloating, fatigue, low immunity. Known as the “Longevity Point.”
Method: Thumb knead, intensity from light to heavy. Each time 3-5 minutes. Daily persistence in kneading Zusanli is better than an old hen.
Weizhong (BL40) – Middle of Crook
Benefits: Relaxes muscles, unblocks channels, cools blood, detoxifies. Treats lumbar and back pain, lower limb weakness and numbness. Ancient saying: “Lumbar and back pain seek Weizhong.”
Method: Thumb point-press or palm heel knead. Each time 2-3 minutes. Note moderate intensity, avoid pressing popliteal vessels too hard.
Lower Leg · Second Heart
The calf muscle pump promotes blood return. When calves are clear, the whole body is clear
Zusanli (ST36) – Three Miles on Leg
Benefits: Tonifies spleen, strengthens stomach, upright source. Treats stomach pain, bloating, fatigue, low immunity. Known as the “Longevity Point.”
Method: Thumb knead, intensity from light to heavy. Each time 3-5 minutes. Daily persistence in kneading Zusanli is better than an old hen.
Weizhong (BL40) – Middle of Crook
Benefits: Relaxes muscles, unblocks channels, cools blood, detoxifies. Treats lumbar and back pain, lower limb weakness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea. Ancient saying: “Lumbar and back pain seek Weizhong.”
Method: Thumb point-press or palm heel knead. Each time 2-3 minutes. Kneading this point can immediately relieve waist limitation when bending. Note moderate intensity, avoid pressing popliteal vessels too hard.
Chengshan (BL57) – Mountain Support
Benefits: Regulates qi, stops pain, relaxes muscles, unblocks channels. Treats calf cramps, waist and leg pain, hemorrhoids, foot swelling.
Method: Thumb press, intensity from light to heavy. Hold 30 seconds then relax, repeat 3-5 times. Immediate relief when calf cramps at night.
Ankle · Source of Kidney Qi
Both inside and outside of ankle distribute kidney meridian key points. Nourishing yin and tonifying kidneys starts from the sole
Taixi (KI3) – Supreme Stream (Inside)
Benefits: Nourishes yin, tonifies kidneys, regulates Chong, Ren. Treats lumbar pain, tinnitus, insomnia, poor memory, irregular menstruation, heel pain. Source point of kidney meridian, the foremost point for tonifying kidneys.
Method: Thumb knead, coordinate with ankle rotation. Each time 3-5 minutes. Those with kidney deficiency can massage once morning and evening, even better combined with foot soaking.
Dazhong (KI4) – Great Hollow (Inside)
Benefits: Benefits kidneys, eases asthma, regulates urine and stool. Treats lumbar and spinal pain, heel pain, difficult urination, dementia, lethargy.
Method: Thumb press, moderate intensity. Each time 2-3 minutes. Those with heel pain get better effect pressing Taixi and Dazhong together.
Zhaohai (KI6) – Shining Sea (Inside)
Benefits: Nourishes yin, clears heat, regulates triple burner. Treats insomnia, dry throat, constipation, irregular menstruation, epilepsy.
Method: Thumb gentle kneading. Massaging 3 minutes before sleep aids restful sleep. Especially suitable for those with yin deficiency, fire excess, dry throat at night.
Shuiquan (KI5) – Water Spring (Inside)
Benefits: Tonifies kidneys, invigorates blood, regulates Chong, Ren. Treats irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult urination, blurred vision.
Method: Thumb press, massage together with Taixi. Each time 2-3 minutes. Women with menstrual discomfort can frequently massage this point.
Jiexi (ST41) – Dissolving Stream (Outside)
Benefits: Clears stomach, lowers rebellion, strengthens spleen, transforms dampness. Treats headache, dizziness, abdominal bloating, constipation, lower limb weakness, ankle swelling.
Method: Thumb press, coordinate with ankle dorsal extension. Each time 2-3 minutes. Those with ankle sprain sequelae can frequently massage this point.
Kunlun (BL60) – Kunlun Mountains (Outside)
Benefits: Unblocks channels, brightens eyes, clears head. Treats headache, stiff neck, sacral and lumbar pain, heel pain, difficult labor.
Method: Thumb press, moderate intensity, coordinate with ankle rotation. Each time 2-3 minutes. Note: Pregnant women should not press this point.
Key Acupoint Massage Principles
Timing
Midday-meridian flow, select points by channel timing. Each time period corresponds to different meridians — massage in harmony for double effect.
Intensity
Sorerness is the standard — no pain means no effect. Aim for sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, heaviness. Avoid violent pressing.
Consistency
Acupoint wellness values accumulation over time. 3-5 minutes daily beats occasional heavy massage.
Contraindications
Pregnant women should avoid Jianjing, Hegu, Kunlun. Do not massage broken skin. Do not massage abdomen when too hungry or too full.
Use Fingers as Needles, Be the Master of Your Own Health
Acupoint massage is the simplest, most economical wellness method. A few minutes each day awakens your body’s self-healing power. For more acupoint knowledge, welcome to consult Master Fengjing.