Acupressure is an ancient Chinese medicine practice. It has been used for centuries as a natural and holistic way to improve mental and physical health. It is easy to perform on yourself with no additional equipment required.
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There are 12 different meridians in acupressure. There are 2 main vessels, the Ren and Du, as well as some additional extraordinary points on the body.
You should get yourself into a comfortable position before you begin to attempt any of the acupressure exercises. If you are planning on using more than one of these points, you should work your way down from the top of your body.
Press firmly against each of the acupressure points, in turn, taking deep and regular breaths as you do so. If you notice one side of your body feels more tender when you press it, spend longer on this area.
It is a good idea to spend 10 minutes performing self-acupressure in the morning and evening. If you feel exhausted, drained, or ill, you can perform an acupressure routine up to 3 times a day.
Immunity support
| Name | Location | Visualization | Purpose |
| Kidney 27 aka Shufu, Shu Mansion, KI 27 | This acupressure point is found about 1 inch from the midline of your collar bone, on the underside. |  | This is particularly good for people who are prone to flu and upper respiratory tract infections. Kidneys and lungs are connected in Chinese medicine. |
| Ren 6 aka Qihai, Sea of Qi, CV6 | This acupressure point is found in the center of your abdomen, 2 fingers below your belly button. |  | This helps to keep your health in a good overall condition. It is believed to tonify and boosts your natural immunity. |
| Ren 17 aka Tanzhong, Chest Center, CV 17 | This acupressure point is found in the center of your chest, in line with your nipples. |  | This helps to regulate the function of your thymus gland, a key component of your immune system. This acupressure point is also believed to help relieve symptoms of anxiety. |
| Large intestine 11 aka Quchi, Pool at the Crook, LI 11 | This acupressure point is found on your elbow crease, on the same side as your thumb. Feel around for the most soft area, this is where you should apply pressure. |  | This is commonly used to alleviate fevers but also assists with recovery from colds and flu. |
| Lung 7 aka Lieque, Broken Sequence, LU 7 | This acupressure point is found in the dip at the base of your thumb. To find it easily, do a thumbs up. This area is sometimes known as the anatomical snuffbox. Move 2 fingers up your arm to find LU 7. |  | This is often used as a cough, stiff neck, and headache remedy. It can also help to strengthen your immune system. |
| San Jiao 5 aka Waiguan, Outer Pass, TE 5 | This acupressure point is found on the top of your forearm, in between the 2 bones. It is approximately 2 cm above your wrist. |  | This is also used for fevers, but often as more of a preventative measure when you first feel a fever coming on. |
| Large intestine 4 aka Hegu, Joining Valley, LI 4 | This acupressure point is found between your thumb and index finger, at the apex of the muscle. |  | This is used as an anti-inflammatory and decongestant. It is also highly effective on tension headaches and strengthens the immune system. |
| Stomach 36 aka Zusanli, Leg Three Miles, ST 36 | This acupressure point is found about a hand’s width below your kneecap, on the outer side of your leg bone. |  | This acupressure point is believed to help you recover from tiredness, increase your endurance, and strengthen your immune system. It is a very energizing point when pressed correctly. |
Immunity support
| Name | Location | Visualization | Purpose |
| DU 20 aka Bai Hui, Hundred Meetings, the Sea of Marrow and Bone | This acupressure point is found on the crown of your head. Trace a line from the tip of each ear – where the fingers meet is DU 20. |  | This point helps to regulate the yang energy flowing through your body. It is believed to relieve sadness, anxiety, and depression. It can help you to feel more focused and present. |
| Yin Tang aka Hall of Impression, M-HN-3 | This acupressure point is found between your eyebrows. If you know about chakras, it is located where the third eye is. |  | This is believed to help calm your spirit. Pressing on this point connects to the pineal gland, relaxing the body and alleviating insomnia. It can also help with headaches, brain fog, and sinus congestion. |
| Liver 3 aka Taichong, Great Surge, LI 3 | This acupressure point is found on the top of your foot, in the dip near your big toe. |  | This point is believed to relieve irritation, stress, anger, and anxiety. The flow of qi and blood around the body is regulated and tensions are alleviated. It can also be used to treat menstrual pain and digestive issues. |
| Gallbladder 21 aka Jianjing, Shoulder Well, GB 21 | This acupressure point is found on your shoulders, at the highest point of the muscle. It is midway between the rotator cuff and the spinal cord. |  | This releases all of the tension and stress that is held in your upper body. It releases stress, anger, headaches, and high blood pressure. Do not press on this spot if you are pregnant as it is believed to cause labor complications and can stimulate uterine contractions. |
| Heart 7 aka Shenmen, Spirit Gate, HT 7 | This acupressure point is found on the inside of your wrist crease, on the same side as your little finger. You will feel a small dip – this is the acupressure point. |  | This is known as the source point on the heart channel of your body. This spot helps to rebalance your emotions and strengthens your heart qi and blood. Pressing here is believed to relieve stress and anxiety. It also helps with insomnia, chest tightness, and heart palpitations. |
