Acupuncturists Pick: Best

DIY Acupuncture Points for

Lowering Stress, Part I
By Sara Calabro
Everyone has a go-to stress response. Some people escape to sunny beaches. Others reach
for wine. Many buy things they dont need. Many more ignore it.
All stress responses, assuming no one gets hurt or goes bankrupt, have their merits. Whatever
works! However, many common coping mechanisms for stress are unrealistic, inconvenient, or
unsustainable. After all, how many of us can jet off to the Caribbean every time life gets
stressful?
Acupuncture treatments, as well as the theoretical tenets of acupuncture, have much to offer in
the way of long-term stress reduction. But what about in-the-moment stress relief? Youre about
to give a big presentation. Youre waiting to hear about test results. The turbulence on your flight
wont let up. Several acupuncture points can help calm you down.
We asked acupuncturists, what is your all-time favorite acupuncture point for stress reduction?
A key criteria was that the point had to be accessible for performing self-acupressure, so neither
acupuncture needles nor an acupuncturist are required to benefit from these points. They can
be pressed anywhere, any time for immediate stress reduction.

21 Best Acupuncture Points for

Stress

Here are 21 acupuncture points, recommended by acupuncturists who use them on a regular
basis, that can help you calm down in stressful situations. Press em at work, on a plane, in an
elevator, wherever.

Kidney 1
There is one point on the bottom of the foot thats great for reducing stress, says
acupuncturist Leona Marrs, of Los Angeles, CA. Kidney 1 is the first point on the Kidney
channel and is known for bringing down excess energy. This can be very helpful for someone
who is in their head too much, always over thinking. The point reconnects you to the earth and
grounds you, allowing you to move forward with greater clarity. Doing acupressure on Kidney 1
before bed also helps with stress-related insomnia.
Catherine Lumenello, an acupuncturist from Tucson, AZ, adds, Because this point is on the
Kidney meridian, it helps to nourish reserve energy for the whole body, which tends to get
depleted in stressful times. As the lowest point on the body, Kidney 1 reminds you that no matter
how stressful things get, you have a solid foundation for facing it. This point is incredibly easy to
massageand even better if you have a partner do it for you!
Learn more about Kidney 1 and see its location here.

Spleen 4

My favorite point for reducing stress is Spleen 4 (pictured at right), says Cayly Christensen,
an acupuncturist in Portland, OR. The Spleen is associated with the digestion of food as well as

the processing and digestion of thoughts and experiences. Treating the Spleen to reduce
excessive rumination and quiet an overly analytical mind can be very useful in easing stress.
I have found Spleen 4 to be the most effective point on the Spleen channel for this purpose. I
believe the location of the point, on the inside of the foot, contributes to its stress-lowering
quality. It tends to be a sensitive point, which helps bring people out of their heads and into their
bodies.

Stomach 40
Often, my patients who come in for stress will report tenderness at Stomach 40, says
Manhattan, KS-based acupuncturist Caite Ryba. Usually by the end of the first treatment, the
muscles around the point have relaxed and the patient reports feeling calm and at peace. This
feeling can last for many days.
From a Western perspective, Stomach 40 affects blood circulation to the digestive system and
increases gastric secretion, thereby inducing the parasympathetic response. Also, the point falls
over the deep fibular nerve and the anterior tibial artery, the main blood supply for the lower leg.
People who are stressed tend to hold extra tension in the upper body, causing neck tightness,
headaches, and shallow breathing. Its possible that the increased blood circulation to the lower
leg caused by Stomach 40 helps pull that extra tension away from the upper body, creating a
more calm, relaxed state.
Nancy Byrne, an acupuncturist in New York City, offers a different explanation. Stomach 40,
one of my favorite points for stress and anxiety, is famously known for its ability to clear phlegm.
However, it also calms the spirit and benefits the chest, where the heart resides. It has all of
these functions because Stomach 40 is the point along the main Stomach meridian where a
secondary channel arises and goes to the Spleen, the chest, and finally to the throat.
When people are really stressed, sometimes they say my heart is in my throat, or I feel like I
have a lump in my throat. When I hear this, I instantly reach for Stomach 40 because the point
has a direct route to the heart and throat, making it an excellent option for stress that manifests
in these ways. Its such an easy point for performing self-acupressure. It may feel tight or tender
when you press it.

Learn more about Stomach 40 and see its location here.

Spleen 9

Spleen 9 (pictured at right) is great for alleviating stress, especially in people who hold tension
in the upper trapezius area, says acupuncturist Edward Young, of Jupiter, FL.
Spleen 9 reduces tightness and tension in these muscles, which not only brings down stress
but also reduces occipital headaches as well as tightness across the pectoralis muscles and
anterior neck muscles, says Young. The point is often tender on people who are dealing with a
lot of stress, particularly women.

Gall Bladder 34
I have seen and felt remarkable things by needling Gall Bladder 34, says acupuncturistJeremy
Rothenberg, of San Francisco. We learn in school about GB34 being the master point of the
sinews, so its used for all sorts of muscular pain, especially when the pain is somewhere along
the Gall Bladder channel. But Ive also noticed that Gall Bladder 34 seems to pop the bubble of
stress that people hold around them.
Upon needling this point, Ive seen peoples eyes close, and their ability to fully respond to my
questioning starts to fade as they deeply relax. I think the magic of this point has to do with the
autonomic nervous system. When people are in fight-or-flight, or sympathetic, modetoo often,
this is most of the timetheir musculature tightens and creates a suit of armor. When the

sinews are released with Gall Bladder 34, the muscles relax and people let go. The stress
bubble pops and they can finally relax.
Learn more about Gall Bladder 34 and see its location here.

Pericardium 8

Pericardium 8 (pictured at right) is easily accessible for self-acupressure, says Keith

Garofalo, an acupuncturist in Racine, WI. You can immediately feel tension being released
when you press it.
In the system of meridian-style acupuncture, the Pericardium channel is paired with the Liver
channel, so pressing this point will balance the Liver channel and the Liver organ itself. This is
important because most stress patterns, from an acupuncture perspective, involve the Liver.
Also, Pericardium is a key go-to for me for headaches, stomach pains and other digestive
complaints, and sleep issuesall symptoms that can be caused or exacerbated by stress.

Heart 3

Heart 3 (pictured at right), as the he sea point of the Heart channel, is used in classical
acupuncture for counterflow qi, says Adam Cantor, an acupuncturist with offices in Glen Head,
NY and New York City.
Stress, anxiety, and habitually running ourselves in mental circles can all create this kind of
counterflow, says Cantor. Heart 3 gets things flowing in the right direction, helping you become
more centered and less stressed.

Stomach 20

The point I use most often for stressed patients is Stomach 20 (pictured at right), says
acupuncturist Darren Maynard, of Rutherford, NJ. It opens the diaphragm and creates a
moving sensation throughout the chest and abdomen.

Patients who receive this point are able to immediately take very deep breaths, says Maynard.
They almost always report feeling as though a weight has been lifted off their chests.

Conception Vessel 17

Kari-Ann Hubbard, an acupuncturist in Tempe, AZ, chooses another point for stress that
manifests as tightness in the chest. I love how Conception Vessel 17 (pictured at right)opens
the chest and increases awareness of breathing, says Hubbard. When were stressed, we
often hold our breath. I recommend using three fingers to rub this point, located in the center of
the chest. Or you can tap it while taking deep breaths whenever you experience acute stress or
anxiety. You may notice tenderness when you find the exact point.
Acupuncturist Alison Colberg, of Asheville, NC, adds a twist to Conception Vessel 17. For
people who are experiencing a lot of stress, I suggest placing one hand over Conception Vessel
17 and the other hand over Yin Tang, a point between the eyebrows, says Colberg. The
connection between the two points helps calm the nervous system while opening the heart to
new possibilities and allowing more room for deeper breathing. Try it!

Kidney 27

Ive found that Kidney 27, located on the lower edge of the collar bone (pictured at right),
encourages deeper breathing and a more open chest posture, says New York City
acupuncturist Margie Navarro. Both of those things help alleviate the physical symptoms that
contribute to and stem from stress.
I occasionally rub a grounding or calming essential oil, such as sandalwood or lavender, on this
point as well. Thats something people can easily do on their own when theyre feeling
stressed.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Governing Vessel 20
By Sara Calabro
Time for the April edition of Why Are You Doing That Point? This ongoing series explains the
locations and common uses of popular acupuncture points.
So far weve looked at Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, two acupuncture points that frequently
come together in a combination called Four Gates, and Stomach 36, known for its energizing
qualities.
This installment of Why Are You Doing That Point? will look at Governing Vessel 20.

Governing Vessel 20also known as Baihui (Chinese name), Hundred Meetings (English
translation), GV20 (acupuncturist lingo) and DU20 (alternate acupuncturist lingo)is located on
the top of the head.
If you place a finger at the top of each ear and follow an imaginary line upward, Governing
Vessel 20 is located where your two fingers converge (see picture below).

This Needle Really Gets Stuck In Your Head

Governing Vessel 20, perhaps more than any other acupuncture point, inspires curiosity and
open mindedness. It gets people asking about acupuncture and extending themselves to
expand their perspectives on health.

All of acupuncture does this. But with an unparalleled amount of consistency, Governing Vessel
20 seems to spark a shift.
Whenever I do Governing Vessel 20 in a community-acupuncture setting, almost without fail,
either the person receiving the point or someone looking on will ask, why are you doing that
point? And often, if one person gets the point, others in the room will ask, can I get the one on
the top of the head, too?
Interest in Governing Vessel 20 isnt limited to community acupuncture. In private settings as
well, again and again, I get inquires about and requests for Governing Vessel 20.
Theres something about this point that really intrigues people.
The fascination with Governing Vessel 20 creates an opening for acupuncturists to share some
acupuncture theory and perhaps a new way of looking at a problem. But more importantly, it

causes the person receiving needles to reflect on why he or she is attracted to this particular
point.
One of acupunctures most profound effects is that it brings awareness to what our bodies and
minds are really asking for.
In biomedicine, the thinking is, doctor knows best about what you needand here, this pill will
do it. In acupuncture, you know best about what you needand here, this needle
mightremind you. Governing Vessel 20 is a perfect example of this.

Why Is Everyone Talking About the Point

on the Top of the Head?
And so, the obvious question: Why are so many people drawn to Governing Vessel 20?
The initial curiosity about Governing Vessel 20 usually has to do with its location. There is, after
all, a needle being stuck near the brain. However, even after fears are settledacupuncture
needles cannot penetrate the skull, plus the point is always needled transverselythe intrigue
remains.
Its almost as if people inuit that a point on the tippy top of the head must mean something
important. And they would be correct.
Governing Vessel 20 is the meeting point of all of the bodys Yang energy. Yang in acupuncture
theory represents the energetic, extroverted aspects of a person. Yang is hot, bright, loud, firm,
expanding, excessive, robust. It is the relative opposite of all things Yinthe cold, dark, quiet,
contracting, deficient, weak aspects.
Someone who has too much Yang may feel warm when other people are comfortable or even
chilly. He may feel agitated and irritable, or suffer from insomnia and/or experience nightmares.
He may be constipated, crave cold drinks and appear red in the face. Basically theres too much
heat, and too much activity happening in the upper part of the body.
Someone with too little Yang would have the opposite presentation. He may feel constantly cold
and even experience chills. He tends toward loose stools and profuse, clear urine. Feeling
physically fatigued or emotionally drained is also common.
Whether its a case of two much or too little Yang, Governing Vessel 20 is called upon to
regulate.

Governing Vessel 20 also is used on people who describe feeling out of it or unable to
concentrate. The point helps stimulate and sharpen mental faculties, making a person more
alert and present. When I was in acupuncture school, we always tapped on our Governing
Vessel 20s before big exams.
For these same reasons, the point is useful for people who suffer from depression. It raises
emotional energy. It also helps raise things physically. Governing Vessel 20 is used to treat
cases of rectal or uterine prolapse. And since the Governing Vessel meridian follows along the
entire spine, Governing Vessel 20 is an excellent point for back pain caused by poor posture.
When I describe these various functions of Governing Vessel 20 to inquiring patients, I ask them
to visualize that they are being literally pulled up, straightened, from the top of the head.
Governing Vessel 20 is a conversation starter and a crowd pleaser. Now you know why.

How to Lower Stress and

Survive the Holidays With
Acupuncture
By Sara Calabro
Acupuncture is well known for its ability to lower stress. Many people use acupuncture for stress
reduction. And even those who dont admit to or notice stress in their lives report a greater
sense of lightness and evenness to their moods after having acupuncture.
During the holiday season, many of us could benefit from the stress-reduction benefits of
acupuncture. But who has the time? Or the money?
If you can swing going for acupuncture this time of year, do itregular acupuncture treatments
are the best way to stay healthy and mentally balanced during high-stress times. But if you, like
many people, are on a tighter schedule and budget for the coming month, weve got the nextbest thing.

Top 10 Acupuncture Tips for

Handling Holiday Stress
We asked acupuncturists from around the world to share one piece of acupuncture-inspired
advice for reducing holiday stress. They had to be self-care tips that can be applied anytime,
anywhere, and for free. Here are our 10 favorites:

Appreciate water
In acupuncture, each season has an associated natural element. Winters is water. As the
holidays cue our wintery instincts, we can use water literally and metaphorically as a natural
holiday de-stressor.
Acupuncturist Sara Szmodis of San Francisco recommends starting every day with a large
glass of lukewarm water. Fill your favorite glass with water and drink it slowly, followed by taking
some deep breaths into your abdomen. This morning ritual helps keep your body hydrated and
relaxed at a time when more-than-usual amounts of alcohol and caffeine (both dehydrators)
meet higher-than-usual stress levels.
Metaphorically, water serves as a model for coping with holiday stress. When stress starts to
mount, close your eyes and imagine yourself as strong, yet fluid and flexible. You are easily able
to adjust around whatever gets in your way.

Go with the flow (literally)

We hear this all the time. But from an acupuncture perspective this trite piece of de-stressing
advice takes on a whole new meaning.
There is a famous Chinese medical saying: Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong. This is roughly
translated as, If there is not free flow, there is pain. If there is free flow, there is no pain. In
other words, physical and emotional health are achieved when there is free flow throughout the
channels of the body. Disease arises when the flow stops.

Portland, Oregon acupuncturist Alexis Goldstein says we can take this thinking and apply it to
holiday stress. Things never go according to plan. Whether its to do with travel, food or giftgiving, Goldstein suggests trying to focus less on the details and more on your ability to flow
through them. Keep flowing forward and youll have a less stressful holiday season.

Forget the shoulds

Acupuncture is centered around the notion that we are ever changing, evolving beings. Nothing
is set in stone. There are no golden rules or absolute truths. When we fail to think of ourselves
as the constant works-in-progress that we are, theres a tendency to start imposing a lot of
shoulds on ourselves.
I should invite my neighbors second cousin to dinner. I should spend at least $50 on a gift
for my boss. I should have the house decorated by now. I should go to that party because
the host sent me a card last year when my cat got neutered.
So many of us place undue expectations on ourselves, says New York City acupuncturistPoHong Yu. By making a real effort to stop the shoulds, it frees you up to live without the
pressure and guilt that has a tendency to increase this time of year. Youll feel lighter and able to
live more authentically.

Get out in nature

In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of the natural world that surrounds
them. The natural elements are essential parts of all of us, and yet many of us fail to make time
to commune with them, especially when the weather turns cold.
According to acupuncturist Annie Porter from Scottsdale, Arizona, taking just three minutes a
day to notice the natural world around you can be a refreshing de-stressor amid the holiday
madness. Porter recommends picking a piece of nature that inspires gratitude in you. It can be
an old tree, a serene pond, or crystal white snow. Maybe it is just standing outside and feeling
the solid earth under your feet, or the crisp wind against your face.
Getting out in nature at holiday time is not only a nice break but also a reminder of the
magnificent gifts that surround us every day.

Strive for balance

Acupuncture is all about balance. The goal of treatment is to tonify (give to) areas of deficiency
and reduce (take from) areas of excess. Delphine Baumer, an acupuncturist in Vancouver,
British Columbia, reminds us that this principle applies to holiday gift giving and time
management.
Think about time and money in terms of balance, says Baumer. If you find yourself with extra
time in the coming weeks, offer help to those who dont. If youre really strapped for time, ask for
help. With gifts, ask yourself what you can offer that will help others without hurting you. Gifts
come in all forms and should feel good on the receiving and giving end.

Be like a mountain
In addition to balancing deficiencies and excesses, acupuncture focuses on balancing Yin and
Yang. Yin-Yang theory assigns certain qualities to various aspects of our lives, depending on the
context within which they reside.
Yin qualities are cold, dark, quiet, contracting, deficient, weak, delicate, soft-spoken,
contemplative and introverted. Yang is hot, bright, loud, firm, expanding, excessive, robust,
energetic and chatty.
In comparison to everyday life, the holidays are very Yang! They are high energy, fast moving,
and filled with constant hustle and bustle. While fun, this can become stressful. It is important to
infuse this time of year with Yin qualities so that we remain balanced, says New York City
acupuncturist Nancy Byrne.
Byrne suggests a visual meditation where you imagine yourself as a mountain. A mountain is
the ultimate Yin, says Byrnesolid, rooted and still, despite the winds swirling around it. When
the whirlwind of the holidays seems to engulf you, take a moment to think of yourself as a
mountain. This will help you find inner calm despite the frenzy happening around you.

Find middle ground

By encouraging balanceof Yin and Yang, and excess and deficiencyacupuncture teaches
us to find middle ground and appreciate moderation. It becomes a metaphor for not over or
under doing it in life.
Holidays generally involve a lot of over doing ittoo much food, too many drinks, too much
spending, too many late nights, too much stress. It happens, but it shouldnt be used as an
excuse for going to extremes in the other direction.
Los Angeles acupuncturist Laura Drago cautions against throwing off your regular routines
because of a holiday slip. For example, dont skip breakfast and try to burn 1,000 calories in a
workout because you ate too much at the holiday party the night before. Extreme taxation on
your body in either direction will throw things into further imbalance, says Drago. If you have a
wild night, take a day to let your body recover and naturally regain its strength. (It might be a
good time to try some acupressure for hangover.)

Rub your ears

The ear in acupuncture is a microcosm of the whole body, so ear points are used to address
conditions that involve multiple systems. Since stress can wreak havoc throughout the entire
body, treating the ears is an effective and efficient counter measure.
Rubbing your ears is a great stress-reduction tool, says San Francisco acupuncturist Eric Kerr.
Use your thumb and index finger to apply acupressure to the whole ear, moving from the top of
the ear down to the earlobes. You can do this simultaneously on both sides. Kerr demonstrates
the technique in this video.

Brush your teeth with purpose

Acupuncture teaches us to tune into the ordinary. It heightens our awareness by requiring us to
pay attention to subtle shifts. This is something we can practice on our own, by being more
mindful in our daily routines. When we are more present in each moment, we arent bogged
down by the various holiday stressors that surround us.

To practice this, Jorunn Krokeide, an acupuncturist in Oslo, Norway, suggests picking one
seemingly mundane taskbrushing your teeth, doing the dishes, taking out the garbage. Do
this task with utmost presence. If its brushing your teeth, notice the way the brush feels in your
hand, how the toothpaste lathers inside your mouth, the sounds of the brush against your teeth.
Presence and mindfulness are not about over thinking, but rather, letting go so that your heart
and mind are free to truly experience the joys of the holiday season.

Remember your power

Acupuncture reminds us of our innate power. The driving idea behind acupuncture is that we
already have everything we need to be well. We hold the power to heal ourselves. Philadelphia
acupuncturist David Schiman says this idea can help us cope with holiday stress.
When you feel stress piling up, says Schiman, take a moment to ask yourself some
questions: How am I handling myself? And when I look back on this in 10 years, am I acting like
the kind of person I want to see? Schiman recommends reflecting on your answer and then
striving to act consistently with your ideal self-image.
There is a tendency during stressful times to feel powerless, but you do have power over how
you react to life and to holiday stress. So, who do you want to be?
Happy holidays from AcuTake!

Acupuncturists Pick: Best

DIY Acupuncture Points for
Lowering Stress, Part II
By Sara Calabro

This is part two of a series on acupuncture points for reducing stress.

In part one, we explain how we gathered these points, and introduce the first 10. If you havent
read part one, do that first.
Then, check out the remaining 11 points below. They are all located on the head!

11 More Acupuncture Points for

Stress
The following 11 acupuncture points, recommended by acupuncturists who use them on a
regular basis, can help you calm down in stressful situations.

Stomach 6

The first time someone used this point on me, it felt as if a cool trail of water was running down
the inside of my cheek, says Marisa Fanelli, an acupuncturist in Wayland, MA. All of the
tension in that area just drained away.
Without realizing it, we often hold tension in our face and jaw when were stressed. It isnt until
we feel the stress melt away that we notice how relaxed our faces can be. Stomach 6 (pictured
at right) dissolves all the pent-up strain in the face muscles. Its such a vivid sensation.

Gall Bladder 8

Gall Bladder 8 (pictured at right) reduces stress and opens up the mind, says Los Angeles
acupuncturist Sarah Nargiso. When under stress, were unable to think clearly, which further
perpetuates the stressed-out, overwhelmed, and out-of-control feeling.
Gall Bladder 8 can be sensitive when you apply significant pressure, but its really effective
when youre feeling over loaded. Combining it with basic breathing techniques can relax,
refresh, and rejuvenate the brain quickly so that youre able to see clearly through the mental
haze of stress.

Zhou Shui

This is a secret point you wont find in many textbooks, says Justin Burkett, an acupuncturist
in San Diego. It is actually two points that are very close together. The first point is at the center

of the external occipital protruberance and the second is less than one inch above (see picture
at right). When I do the point, I needle it from the second point down toward the first. When you
do it yourself with acupressure, apply pressure in that same downward direction.
This non-standard point is absolutely phenomenal for stress, says Burkett. The occiput is an
anchoring site for the fascial wrapping of the skull. Most humans carry stress in their neck and
shoulders. Needling or applying acupressure to this point seems to affect all of the musculature
in this area. It induces a kind of liquid-flowing sensation around and inside the head. There is a
near-instant clearing of the mind, and relaxing of the neck, back, and shoulders. A sense of
deep calm spreads throughout the entire body and mind.

Anmian

Anmian (pictured at right) is a great point for stress reduction, restlessness, agitation,
palpitations, and nagging tension headaches, says British acupuncturist Lorna Jackson, who
practices in the Channel Islands, U.K. The English translation for the point is peaceful sleep,
and indeed, its an effective alternative to counting sheep during those stressful, what have I
forgotten? hours when you cant fall asleep.
I tell patients to clasp their hands behind the base of the head so that the neck and head is
supported. Place your thumbs over Anmian on both sides and lift the base of the skull gently via
these points. It is a great pressure release, particularly for people whose stress shows up as
tension headaches.

Point Zero

When were under long-term stress, our bodies are constantly on,' explains Seattle
acupuncturist Heidi Holmquist. We need to be reset occasionally in order to shift from a
sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state.
I have found that Point Zero (pictured at right)helps my patients achieve deep relaxation, by
helping their bodies shift toward physiological balance. Each patient deserves a unique point
recipe for relieving what ails them, but time and time again I find myself coming back to Point
Zero to help people turn the switch to off.'

Shen Men

Montpelier, VT-based Kerry Jenni, one of the first acupuncturists to practice aboard a cruise
ship, found her favorite stress-reducing acupuncture point while at sea.

I was in a unique situation where I was only seeing these patients for one, maybe two
treatments over one to two weeks on the ship, says Jenni. I knew I had to make a great first
impression so the cruisers would go home and find local acupuncturists to continue their care.
My go-to point was one in the ear called Shen Men (pictured above). No matter if I was treating
back pain or sea sickness, when I added Shen Men to my treatments, stress reduction was
almost guaranteed.

Triple Combo: Yin Tang, Bladder 2, Triple

Heater 23

In high-stress patients who suffer from an inability to calm their mindsthey have lots of mental
chatter going onI use a combination of points across the eyebrow area, says Dani Foster, a
Canadian acupuncturist in Surrey, British Columbia.
When I needle Yin Tang, Bladder 2, and Triple Heater 23 (pictured at right) on both sides, my
patients often comment that they melt into the table.'

Governing Vessel 24

One of my favorite acupuncture points to calm the mind and lower stress is Governing Vessel
24 (pictured at right), says Diane Lowry, an acupuncturist in Glen Allen, VA. Like several other
Governing Vessel points, GV24 has a close relationship to the brain and the heart. When it is
stimulated, it produces a profound sense of calmness. The benefits of this point can be
awakened through acupuncture needling as well as acupressure or qigong.
Christine Smyth, who practices acupuncture on the Isle of Wight in England, adds, I always
know that Ive found the exact location of Governing Vessel 24 when the patient falls asleep.
When the needle is removed, often the patient releases an involuntary sigh! It works every time
as a stress reliever.
Patients who visit Naomi Frank, an acupuncturist in Toronto, call Govering Vessel 24 the
vacation point. She says, Sometimes I use this point in combination with others, but if stress
reduction is what Im after, it is really great on its own.

Governing Vessel 20

I use Govering Vessel 20 (pictured at right)on almost every patient, says

acupuncturistRachel Coleiro, who practices in Mont Albert, Victoria, in Australia. Everyone I
see in my practice seems to have at least a small amount of stress happening in their lives
and this point is a must-have for anyone being treated for stress.
Times when I havent used Governing Vessel 20, patients have come back saying they didnt
feel as good after their treatment. Many people feel instantly relaxed upon receiving Governing
Vessel 20. I now get requests to needle this point!
Learn more about Governing Vessel 20 and its exact location here.
Acupuncture points affect everyone differently. Most likely, you will not notice results from all of
these points.
Try them all outdont forget the points from part one of this articleand see which ones
work best for you. Once you figure it out, youve got your stress-lowering prescription!

Do-It-Yourself Acupressure for

Travel

By Denise Cicuto
The summer travel season is officially underway. While our away-from-home experiences often
represent the high points of our summers, they also have a tendency to tax our physical and
emotional health. After all, our bodies are not meant for sitting in tin cans, sometimes with
hundreds of other people, while breathing recycled air for hours on end.
Fortunately, applying pressure to certain acupuncture points can help alleviate some common
travel ailments.
Press these points in a circular motion, using firm pressure, several times a day for at least one
minute. You can use your fingertip, knuckle or the closed tip of a pen to press the points, or
have a travel companion press them for you.

Lose the Headache

Large Intestine 4
Located on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger, Large Intestine 4 is one
of the most important acupuncture points for anything having to do with the head and face. It is
a great point for alleviating headaches and sinus pressure. (Note: This point is contraindicated
during pregnancy.) Learn more about this points uses and location here.

Large Intestine 20, Stomach 2 and Bladder 2

These points make a wondrous trio for sinus pressure and head congestion. Each point is
pressed twice, symmetrically on both sides of the face, equaling six total points. The picture
shows how it should look when youre pressing all six points. Youre going for just outside the

nostril for Large Intestine 20, just below the eye for Stomach 2, and the inner end of the
eyebrow for Bladder 2.

Boost Your Immune System

Lung 7

Make a thumbs-up sign. When you do that, youll see a depression at the base of your thumb
(referred to as the anatomical snuffbox). From that depression, Lung 7 is located approximately
two finger widths up your arm (see picture at left). This point is good for bolstering your bodys
defensive energy, helping to keep your immune system strong. It also helps with cough,
headache and stiff neck.

Stomach 36
Stomach 36 is one of the best acupuncture points on the body for strengthening the immune
system and recovering from fatigue. It is a very energizing point. Stomach 36 is found about a
hand length below the patella of the knee, just outside the prominent tibia bone. Learn more
about this points uses and location here.

Settle Your Stomach

Pericardium 6

You know those wrist bands that help with sea sickness? Ever wonder how they work? They
stimulate an acupuncture point! Specifically, they target Pericardium 6, located inside the wrist,
about two-and-a-half fingers up the arm from the wrist crease (see picture at right). This point
settles the stomach and is commonly used to control nausea. A winning stomach-soothing
combo is Pericardium 6 with Stomach 36, which in addition to the immune-boosting properties
mentioned above, is also a principal point for nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea.

Decrease Stress
Yintang

So easy to find and so effective, Yintang is your third eye, located in the middle of your
eyebrows (see picture at left). Because of its location, it can help reduce frontal headaches, but
its most common use is for stress reduction. While fun, traveling also can be stressful. Yintang
is a great go-to point for calming yourself during those tense or anxious moments.

Liver 3
Located between the big and second toes, Liver 3 is useful for grounding the frenetic and attimes destabilizing nature of travel. This not only reduces anxiety but also can help eliminate
insomnia and other stress-related side effects of traveling. Learn more about this points uses
and location here.

Pop Your Ears, No Gum Required

San Jiao 21, Small Intestine 19 and Gallbladder 2

This is another great trio. These three acupuncture points are located in a vertical line directly in
front of the ear tragus (see picture at right). Opening and closing your mouth while
simultaneously rubbing these three points can cause your ears to pop.

Revive Yourself
If travel has you feeling all-around stressed and fatigued, revive yourself with a rigorous ear
massage. The ear in acupuncture is a microcosm of the whole body, so ear points can be
effective at treating conditions that involve multiple systems. Using your thumb and index finger,

follow around from the top of your ear down to your earlobes. Along the way youll hit
acupuncture points for everything from anxiety to fatigue to back pain to allergies. Sometimes a
good ear massage is just the thing for helping you through the next leg of your journey.
Whether youre traveling by air, land or sea this summer, these acupuncture points should be
staples in your first-aid kit. Wishing you happy and healthy travels!

7 Acupuncture Points That Can

Save Your Life This Spring
By Sara Calabro
Spring is upon us. For some, its time for warm air! Fresh flowers! Longer days! For others, its
time for runny noses! Itchy eyes! Sinus headaches!
But people with seasonal allergies should know that spring need not be an unavoidable period
of suffering. Nor does it require dependence on Claritin or fear of leaving the house without
Kleenex.
Acupuncture offers tools for both preventing spring allergy symptoms and getting rid of them.
Specifically, there are seven acupuncture points that can work wonders for preventing and
relieving spring allergies.

Seven Points, Seven Fingers Is All It Takes

Acupuncturists use these seven points all the time to alleviate seasonal allergies. Its ideal to go
for acupuncture before allergy symptoms kick. Now is a great time since not everything is fully
bloomed yet.

If you miss the preventive window, the same points can be used to eliminate symptoms,
especially nasal drip, itchy eyes and sinus headaches. It is not uncommon for people to notice
an immediate clearing of the nasal passages after receiving these seven acupuncture points.
But the best part is, you can alleviate allergies with these seven acupuncture points all by
yourself. All it takes is seven fingers and a little concentration and coordination.
In most cases, stimulating the points yourself is not a substitute for real acupuncture. However,
as a preventive measure, it can delay the onset and lessen the severity of allergy symptoms. It
also can prolong the effects of acupuncture treatments so that youre able to allow more time
between appointments. And it comes in really handy as an on-the-spot remedy for sudden
allergy attacks.

The New Face of Spring

Imagine a world where the first thing that comes to mind when we think of seasonal allergies is
not someone running through a field in a drug commercial but rather someone poking
themselves in the face. How sweet it would be.

So, where to poke?

Youre aiming for six points on the face: Large Intestine 20, Stomach 2 and Bladder 2. All three
points are pressed twice, symmetrically on both sides of the face, equaling six points. (The
seventh is explained below.)

The picture on the right shows how it should look when youre pressing all six face points.
Youre going for just outside the nostril, just below the eye (youll feel a little indentation in the
bone therethats the point), and the inner end of the eyebrow.
In addition to point location, you also want to pay attention to the direction youre pressing. This
is where concentration and coordination come in.
Large Intestine 20, the points outside the nostrils, should be pressed diagonally upward, as if
youre aiming for your eye on the opposite side. Stomach 2, the points below the eye, should be
pressed downward toward the mouth. Bladder 2, the ones on the eyebrow, should be pressed
upward toward the top of the head.
Maintaining the right point locations and directions may feel awkward at first but it gets easier
with practice. For myself and most people Ive recommended this technique to, the pinkie, ring
and middle finger combo seems to work best. But everyones fingers and hand coordination are
different, so play around with it and do whatever feels most comfortable for you.

Lucky Number Seven: Spleen 5

The six points on the face are considered a local acupuncture approach. In other words,
needles (or fingers) are placed at the site of the problemin this case, near the nasal passages
and frontalis muscle on the forehead since this is often where allergy symptoms occur.

But as is true of all conditions, allergies from an acupuncture perspective derive from an
underlying imbalance. In addition to the six points on the face, acupuncturists often incorporate
a seventh point to address the root cause of seasonal allergy symptoms.

This point is Spleen 5, located below and distal to (toward the toes) the medial malleolus (the
prominent bone on the inner ankle). It is done only on the left side.
So why Spleen 5? Many reasons, depending on who you ask, but the primary logic behind
using Spleen 5 to treat allergies has to do with its role in resolving what acupuncturists refer to
as Dampness.
We could spend a whole articlebook actually!talking just about Dampness. But for the
purposes of this article, suffice it to say that Dampness in the body creates fixed, heavy
obstructions. Also, when Dampness accumulates, it can turn into Phlegm, which is not exactly
but close enough to the phlegm were all familiar with and afraid of during allergy season.
Holding Spleen 5 at the same time as the six face points is kind of ambitious. You dont have to
do them all together. Spleen 5 is easy to press while watching TV, reading or doing anything
seated that doesnt require use of both hands.
For me, sitting cross-legged is best. It comfortably exposes the inner left ankle and allows me to
access the point with my right index finger. From a desk chair, you can prop your left foot onto
your right thigh, which also allows for easy access. Again, its important to find the position that
is comfortable for you.
Its unfair that so many seasonal-allergy sufferers view spring as time to stay indoors. No more,
thanks to acupuncture. Its merely time to put on a new face.

Stop Bloating: 11 Tips from

Acupuncturists
By Sara Calabro
Thanksgiving is this Thursday. In previous years, weve written about the similarities between
acupuncture and Thanksgiving. Weve also talked about what acupuncture can teach us
about gratitude and change.
This year, were honoring Thanksgiving with tips for battling the holidays most common
nemesis: bloating.

Often, the meals we share on Thanksgiving are memorable for more than just good times with
family and friends. Bloating and indigestion can be epic on Thanksgiving, and they can put a
major damper on otherwise joyous celebrations.
We asked acupuncturists from around the world for do-it-yourself recommendations for reducing
bloating. Here are 11 tips for staying comfortable this Thursday, in the days that follow, and
whenever else you experience bloating.

Chew your food

Helena Barker, an acupuncturist and naturopath in Meath, Ireland, recommends slowing down.
Eating quickly can cause air swallowing that leads to bloating, says Barker. You can decrease
bloating simply by chewing your food more. This puts less pressure on your Spleen, the system
responsible for digestion in Chinese medicine. Also, thoroughly chewing and tasting your food
makes it more satisfying, which means you may eat less.
New York City acupuncturist Juliette Aiyana agrees: It takes about 20 minutes for your
stomach to sends hormonal signals to your brain telling it that you are full, she says. Slowing
down and chewing well while enjoying the flavors of your holiday food may prevent bloating
caused by overeating.
Jacksonville, Florida acupuncturist Kendra Lay recommends at least 20 chews per bite. A
person can do more if theyd likeeven up to 100 chews! says Lay. When food is chewed
properly, the digestive enzyme amylase is released in the saliva to chemically break down
starches and carbohydrates. Undigested carbohydrates are a big reason for distended bellies,
so making sure your food is broken down properly before it hits the rest of your digestive tract is
a great remedy for bloating.

Drink warm liquids

Delphine Baumer, an acupuncturist in Vancouver, British Columbia, recommends ditching the
iced water. Avoid drinking cold liquids, especially with meals, says Baumer. The digestive
organs are made of smooth muscle, and muscles like warmth. Ingesting cold will weaken the
digestive system. Warm liquids will help it relax and gain strength over time, reducing bloating.
Baumer adds, Remember to drink most fluids between meals and to only have small sips at
meal time.

Get to know ginger

Brooklyn, New York acupuncturist Margie Navarros favorite at-home cure for bloating is a cup
of ginger tea, ideally before a meal. Navarro says, Using freshly sliced ginger root is best. Pour
boiled water over the sliced root, cover, and steep for about five minutes.
Navarro explains that ginger helps stimulate saliva, bile and gastric juice production, helping to
prevent food fermentation in the digestive tract. She says, This is why ginger is best used
before a meal. Navarro points out, however, that ginger also helps relax the muscles within the
digestive tract, helping to release trapped gas. For this reason, it may help after a meal as
well, she says.
Wayland, Massachusetts acupuncturist Marisa Fanelli concurs on the power of ginger. For
indigestion and bloating, I swear by a cup of peppermint tea with thin slices of ginger and
honey, says Fanelli. I let the tea steep for a good amount of time so that the ginger gets soft
and absorbs some of the sweet taste of the honey. After I drink the tea, I eat the ginger. Its my
post-holiday cocktail, and it never fails to soothe my stomach and banish bloating.

Steep some seeds

Corvalis, Oregon-based acupuncturist Brodie Welch recommends a concoction of steeped
seeds to combat bloating.
Grab a mug and throw in one-quarter teaspoon each of whole cumin seed, coriander seed, and
fennel seed, says Welch. Cover with hot water and a lid to keep the volatile oils in. Strain and
drink. All of these herbs are used in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to benefit digestion, and
decrease gas and bloating.
Welch says its okay to add a couple of cardamom pods, slices of fresh ginger, and a little maple
syrup to make the drink tastier.

Notice your reaction to certain foods

Sarah OLeary, an acupuncturist at Mend Community Acupuncture in Baltimore, Maryland
points out that bloating can be a sign of a mild intolerance to certain foods. Notice when you
bloat most. Is it after eating a bagel or other high-wheat-content food? After eating a lot of soy,

in a latte or in the form of tofu? Or maybe dairy gets you feeling bad. Some guts have a hard
time with one more more of these foods.
OLeary recommends switching things up to lighten the wheat-dairy-soy load for a week or two
and then reintroducing the culprits one at a time. Make sure to give yourself enough time to
notice if you react with bloating, says OLeary. Twenty-four hours should do it.

Eat with the seasons

If after trying out OLearys recommendation you discover that you cant eat certain foods, Los
Angeles acupuncturist Laura Drago suggests a good rule of thumb: Eat with the season.
Drago explains, Stop eating salads after spring and summer. Cook your foods in the fall and
winter. Eat foods that grow naturally at the time of year youre in. If you dont know what grows,
eat what the farmers market sells!

Enjoy a morning cocktail

Not that kind of cocktail. Daniella Weill, an acupuncturist and naturopath in Jerusalem, Israel
recommends drinking the following concoction first thing in the morning: Squeezed juice from
half a lemon and one teaspoon virgin olive oil, mixed into one glass of water.
My patients who do this daily dont need any pills for bloating, heartburn, or other digestive
disorders, says Weill.

Rub your belly

Acupuncturist Leona Marrs, of Los Angeles, recommends rubbing your belly in a clockwise
direction to reduce bloating.
My qigong teacher first showed this to me as a way to warm up your center, which stimulates
Spleen and Stomach qi to guide digestion, says Marrs. I have many patients who complain of
bloating, especially women, and it always seems to help move things along. I recommend 10
circles per day.
Acupuncturist Angie Savva, of Sydney, Australia, adds, In Chinese medicine, bloating and
indigestion indicate that the qi in the abdomen is obstructed, so self-massage can help improve
flow and regulate the functions of the digestive organs.

Brian Huwe and Mary Beth Ladenheim, acupuncturists in Fincastle, Virgina, suggest a simple
self-massage routine: Lie comfortably on your back. Place one hand (right hand for women, left
hand for men) above your belly button. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Then
move your hands together in a circle around your navel. Do this 100 times. Then reverse the
direction of the circle and repeat 100 more times.

Massage this point

Naomi Frank, co-owner of Toronto Community Acupuncture in Toronto, Canada,

recommends performing self-acupressure on acupuncture point Triple Heater 6. It is located on
the back of the wrist, approximately three inches up from the wrist crease (see picture at right).
When needled, this point can almost instantly reduce bloating, says Frank. You have to be a
little more persistent with acupressure, but it works just as well. Apply pressure for a minute or
two, alternating sides, until you feel relief.
Frank adds, The beauty of acupressure is you dont have to worry about the exact location. The
whole area will be beneficial. Find a tender spot in the area and go for it.

Take a walk
Hands down, the best way to treat bloating, especially during the holidays, is to get the family
together and take a walk after the big meal, says Jeremy Cornish, an acupuncturist in
Asheville, North Carolina.
It doesnt have to be a long walk, just enough physical movement to help stimulate digestion,
says Cornish. Plopping down on the couch will slow down your system, and that stagnation
causes the discomfort of bloating. Spending quality time walking with your loved ones is a great
traditionand not just for the digestive benefits!

Supplement
Los Angeles acupuncturist Kathleen Port recommends taking a full-spectrum digestive enzyme
as soon as you start eating. You can do this with each meal or just the larger meals, says Port.
If you suffer from bloating, Port also recommends asking your acupuncturist about the herbal
formula Bao He Wan, sometimes known as Preserve Harmony Pill. Port says, If its appropriate
for you, taking it after dinner can help with bloating.
Acupuncturist Michael Costa, of Culver City, California, recommends hydrochloric acid
supplements. Bloating after eating can be a sign that the stomach is not digesting food well,
explains Costa. If you find yourself getting bloated after protein-heavy meals, taking a Betaine
HCl supplement at the beginning of the meal can help create the right environment to efficiently
break down protein.
Costa notes that Betaine HCl is contraindicated in people with stomach ulcers. Its always
advisable to talk to a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement.
Happy Thanksgiving from AcuTake!

The Cure for Frozen Shoulder That

No One Talks About
By Sara Calabro
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, isnt as official as it sounds. Frozen
shoulder just refers to shoulder pain that leads to restricted range of motion. It is a catch-all
diagnosis for shoulder pain and immobility for which the underlying cause is unknown.
Janet Travell, the author of Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual,
speaking of the medical literature on frozen shoulder, says, When so many authors agree that
the cause of a disease is enigmatic, there is good reason to expect that a major etiologic factor
is being overlooked.
This major factor, according to Travell, is trigger points in the subscapularis muscle.
Acupuncture can eliminate these trigger points, wiping out frozen shoulder for good and offering
people an alternative to the commonyet usually only temporarily effectiveprotocol of pain
killers, cortisone shots, and surgery.

Olympic swimmers who are dazzling us with their performances this week: Take heed! Freestyle
swimming is one of the most common causes of subscapularis trigger points.

The Signature Pain-Referral Pattern of

Subscapularis Trigger Points
The subscapularis is one of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff. It attaches to the
inner surface of the scapula and to the front of the humerus bone. Its primary responsibility is to
hold the humerus in place during arm movements, preventing displacement. It also helps
internally rotate the head of the humerus.

Trigger points are sensitive nodules in the musculature that cause referred pain. In the
subscapularis muscle, they produce a signature pain-referral pattern. Pain concentrates on the
back of the deltoid muscle. From there, it can extend onto the back, over the scapula, and/or
down the back side of the upper arm. Pain usually skips the forearm but appears again as a
band around the wrist (see picture at right).
Early-stage subscapularis trigger points normally dont prevent people from reaching up.
However, reaching backwardas if you were getting ready to throw a balltends to be painful.
This is why frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis are sometimes referred to as pitchers arm.
Another tell-tale sign of early-stage subscapularis trigger points is wrist pain that concentrates
on the back of the wrist, sometimes making it uncomfortable to wear a watch.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain from

Trigger Points in the Subscapularis

Is it sounding like your shoulder pain might be coming from trigger points in the subscapularis
muscle? Here are some common ways in which these trigger points get activated:
Overdoing it at activities that require medial rotation of the arm. Examples include freestyle
swimming and throwing a baseball.
Forceful overhead lifting while adducting the arm (bringing it closer to your body). An
example is the kettleball swing exercise, where you use outstretched arms to raise the kettleball
from between the legs.
Sudden stress placed on the shoulder muscles due to a humerus fracture or shoulder-joint
tear, or breaking a fall.
Once a trigger point is activatedin the subscapularis or any muscleits commonly
perpetuated or exaggerated by everyday movements. Sleeping on ones side or having
slumped-forward posture can make subscapularis trigger points worse.

Cures for Subscap-Related Shoulder Pain

Once youve identified subscapularis trigger points as the source of your shoulder pain and
immobility, there are several steps you can take to reduce them.

Get acupuncture.
Trigger points in the subscapularis can be released by inserting acupuncture needles directly
into the muscle.

While extremely effective at eliminating shoulder pain, having these trigger points needled can
be uncomfortable due to the location of the subscapularis. To access the muscle, the
acupuncturist needs to palpate somewhat forcefully inside the underarm (see picture at right).
Another acupuncture technique for addressing pain from trigger points includes needling away
from the actual pain site, choosing points along the acupuncture meridians that transverse the
painful part of the body.
For example, the Small Intestine meridian runs directly along the signature pain-referral pattern
for subscapularis trigger points. An acupuncturist might choose to needle an acupuncture point
on the Small Intestine meridian thats farther down the body.

Small Intestine 3, for example, is an acupuncture point on the side of the hand (see picture at
left)thats frequently used to alleviate shoulder and upper back pain around the scapula. You
can massage this point yourself to help reduce pain in that area.

Adjust your posture.

Something else you can do yourself to reduce subscapularis-related shoulder pain is adjust your
posturewhile awake and sleeping.
During waking hours, try and avoid the slumped-forward posture that so many of us have
unfortunately developed as a result of sustained computer use. This postion forces the arms
into a medially rotated position, which perpetuates trigger points in the subscapularis.

When standing, try hooking your thumbs into your belt or pants to prevent your arms from
touching your sides. And when youre at your desk, remember to frequently move your armsa
simple movement of reaching the arm up and behind the head will do itto help keep the
subscapularis muscle stretched.

Sleep with a pillow.

At bedtime, grab an extra pillow. If youre sleeping on the painful side, place the pillow between
your elbow and side of the body. Again, this abducts the arm away from the body, which
stretches the subscapularis muscle. If you sleep on the pain-free side, put the pillow in front of
you so that the painful arm can rest on it (pretend youre hugging the pillow).

Do the doorway stretch.

A final self-care technique for reducing subscapularis trigger points is the doorway stretch.
Stand in a doorway and place both hands on either side of the door, at about shoulder height.
Lean forward to give a nice passive stretch to the subscapularis.
If your shoulder pain is coming from trigger points in the subscapularis muscle, no amount of
pain killers, cortisone shots nor surgeries is going to solve the problem. Those treatments have
their place, but why not try the less invasive path first?

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4
By Sara Calabro
Acupuncture devotees are dying to know: Why are you doing that point? It is one of the most
common questions that acupuncturists receive during treatments.
This is the first installment of an ongoing series that explains popular acupuncture points.
The logic behind choosing points varies. Certain acupuncture styles recommend points for
unique reasons. Even within the same style, many points have more than one indication. Some
points can substitute for others in cases where, for example, a needle-sensitive person prefers
being stuck elsewhere. Other points can be left out or added based on the overall combination.

Recognizing that there are variations and exceptions, certain acupuncture points are used with
a relative amount of uniformity. Across styles, they are known to be especially powerful in their
effects. As a result, acupuncturists use them a lot. If youre a regular acupuncture goer, youll
probably recognize them.
This inaugural article of the Why Are You Doing That Point? series is a twofer. Well look at
Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, two points that are popular in their own right and also frequently
needled together in a combination called Four Gates.

Liver 3 Gets Things Moving

Liver 3also known as Taichong (Chinese name), Great Rushing (English translation) and LV3
(acupuncturist lingo)is located on the foot, between the first and second toes.
Liver 3 is whats known as a source point. Every meridian has one. Source points behave sort of
like central stations on subway lines. They are hubs where internal and external energies gather
and transform. They are single, high-concentration points that grant access to the larger system.
Because Liver 3 has such far-reaching effects, it is indicated for a very wide variety of
conditions. John Pirog, in The Practical Application of Meridian Style Acupuncture, says Liver 3
is probably the most important point for stagnation of the inner body.
Liver 3 is used for menstrual cramps, headaches, vision problems, coastal-region pain and
shortness of breath, low back pain, insomnia, and more. The list truly goes on and on. Feeling
stuck? Hello, Liver 3. This point gets things moving.

Liver 3s extensive effects are palpable. Needling it usually causes a strong achy sensation,
either locally at the site of insertion, throughout the entire foot, or sometimes even up into the
leg along the Liver meridian.
If youve had acupuncture, youve probably had Liver 3. If you havent yet, consider it inevitable.

Large Intestine 4 Is a Great Bang for Your

Buck

Large Intestine 4also known as Hegu (Chinese name), Joining Valley (English Translation)
and LI4 (acupunk lingo)is located on the hand, in the web between the thumb and index
finger.
Large Intestine 4, like Liver 3, is a fantastic bang for your buck. If you think about the location,
between the first and second fingers, its basically the upper-body version of Liver 3, which is
located between the first and second fingers on the lower body.
Large Intestine 4 is a source point as well. It is indicated for a wide variety of conditions and also
tends to cause a strong needling sensation.
Probably the best-known use of Large Intestine 4 is to release the exterior. This refers to
treating what are known as Wind conditionschills and fever, runny nose, headaches, stiff
upper back and neck, too much or too little sweating, sore throat, dizziness, etc. Large Intestine

4 is the go-to point for these types of symptoms. It is thought to disperse the Wind and also
bolster the bodys defenses against recurrence.
Other common indications for Large Intestine 4 include toothache, sinusitis, rhinitis, nosebleeds
and Bells Palsy. This is because the Large Intestine meridian travels up to the face, so almost
any symptom related to that region calls for the point.
In addition to these common uses, Large Intestine 4 is used in treatments for everything from
constipation to skin disease to low back pain.
Note: Large Intestine 4 is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Another note: Heres a great product for applying acupressure to Large Intestine 4.

Four Acupuncture Points Are Better Than

One
Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4 are often used together. Each point is done on both sides of the
body, creating a four-point combination known as Four Gates. This is one of the most frequently
used point combinations in all of acupuncture.
There are many theories associated with Four Gates but the prevailing idea is that the
combination opens up circulation throughout the entire body. Liver 3 handles the lower half
while Large Intestine 4 addresses the upper. Together, they pack a powerful punch.
Four Gates usually tackles symptoms caused by stagnation. This includes pain as well as
menstrual irregularities, constipation, or feelings of frustrationbasically anything that suggests
things arent flowing as smoothly as they should be.
The next installment of Why Are You Doing That Point? is on Stomach 36. Read it now.
Featured photo by Sara Calabro
LV3 and LI4 infographics from A Manual of Acupuncture

Acupuncturists Spill: The 12

Health Tips They Wish
Everyone Would Remember

By Sara Calabro
Acupuncturists do more than just poke people with needles. They use non-needling techniques,
such as moxibustion and cupping, and some prescribe herbs. They also offer advice
acupuncture-inspired tips that can help you feel healthier and happier.
Some people heed this advice and others ignore it, often to the chagrin of acupuncturists. There
are many simple practices that, when committed to, can drastically improve a persons
symptoms and overall quality of life. If only everyone remembered to do them!
Now you have them in writing. We asked acupuncturists from around the country, what
isone thing you wish all of your patients did to be healthier?
Here are 12 do-it-yourself health tips that acupuncturists wish everyone would remember.

Connect with people

I have come to believe that people need connection more than anything else, saysRichard
Mandell, an acupuncturist from Brookline, Massachusetts who founded The PanAfrican
Acupuncture Project.
We acupuncturists use needles as a starting point, but it is our relationship with patientsthe
conversations, the gentle touchthat is most important. Isolation, and holding independence as
the ultimate goal, separates us from healing potential.
Connection in the simplest sense can begin with acknowledgement of its importance. Helping
others, greeting a homeless person, looking people in the eye, recognizing the good in each
moment These things increase our potential to heal ourselves and others. From an
acupuncture perspective, they build and move qi.

Breathe deeply into your belly

In acupuncture, the Lungs govern the circulation of qi in the body, explains Corvalis, Oregonbased acupuncturist Brodie Welch.

When we feel stress, the breath automatically becomes more shallow and rapid. Shallow, tense
breathing tells the body to remain in a state of fight-or-flight. By inviting our breath to be slow,
deep, easy, and gentle, we rein in the stress response, protect the adrenals from exhaustion,
and activate the self-healing (parasympathetic) mode.
A daily breathing practice, which can be as simple as five minutes a day, or 10 breaths every
hour, is the fastest way I know of to re-pattern the nervous system.
While youre breathing deeply, its helpful to focus on your belly, adds San Francisco
acupuncturist Jeremy Rothenberg.
People can coax their own bodies into relaxation by focusing on deep belly breathing, he says.
There are so many parasympathetic nerve endings in the belly, so deep breathing into that
area shifts the body into rest-and-digest mode.
If everyone spent time each day breathing into their bellies, many physical problems would be
reversed. Its like doing acupuncture on yourself.

Exercise
If only all of my patients would take the time to exercise every day, says acupuncturistLara
Ferguson Diaz, from Asheville, North Carolina.
Im not talking about running a marathon. Theres nothing quite as simple yet profoundly helpful
as a daily brisk walk in the park, or dancing with your kid in the living room. Our bodies are not
designed to be static. They are designed to be in fairly constant motion except while sleeping or
resting.
From an acupuncture perspective, too much sitting injures the Spleen, which affects digestion,
energy level, and even makes us more likely to gain weight. Blood and qi stagnation, the most
common cause of pain that I see in my clinic, also occur when people have sedentary lifestyles.
Daily exercise will make you happier, less stressed, and better equipped to handle life. So, go
take a hike!

Meditate
I wish all of my patients would engage in a meditation practice, says Brooklyn, New York
acupuncturist Melanie Severo.
So many of the issues that hold us back in our lives can be transformed through the simple act
of awareness, and a meditation practice can be the doorway to heightened presence in all of
our activities.

Use a dry skin brush

Dry skin brushing takes just minutes a day but makes a huge difference in how someone feels
and looks, says San Diego-based acupuncturist Justin Burkett.
Using a natural-fiber, stiff-brissled, sisal body brush on dry skin before or after a shower is a
great way to stimulate the skin, the lymphatic system, and the acupuncture meridian system. At
the same time, it increases peripheral circulation and boosts immune function, which gives a
healthy glow to the skin.
People can stimulate acupuncture points all over the body, on a daily basis, using a dry skin
brush.

Stretch before bed

Stretching in the evening is just as important as in the morning, which is when most people
think about doing it, says Laurel, Maryland acupuncturist Allison Vaccaro.
Like acupuncture, stretching helps break up stagnation and encourages movement throughout
the channels. Stretching in the evening helps loosen the muscles that havent been used during
the day. Many people spend their evenings sitting on the couch watching TV. Some hit the gym
first thing in the morning, then sit at a desk all day. These routines prime the body for stiffness,
and can produce pain at night and upon waking.

Patients of mine who follow my advice to stretch at night report better sleep quality, and less
pain and stiffness in the morning.

Get to bed by 11 pm
I encourage all of my patients to go to bed at 11 pm so that they are sleeping soundly by 1 am,
says Susan Wadden, an acupuncturist in Shoreline, Washington.
Each organ system in acupuncture has an assigned two-hour time frame. One oclock in the
morning is when when the Liver time cycle begins. Between 1 and 3 am is the optimal time for
the Liver to cleanse itself. This cleansing, which plays a big role in whether we feel rested when
we wake up, happens most efficiently when a person is in a deep state of sleep.

Find a spiritual practice

I wish everyone would find a spiritual outlet to address their concerns, stress, and grief,
says Kari-Ann Hubbard, an acupuncturist in Tempe, Arizona.
These natural emotions can consume us and, from an acupuncture perspective, stagnate our
qi and blood. This on its own can cause pain and other ailments, and it sets the stage for future
imbalances.
A spiritual practice can be anything from journaling to prayer to meditation. Whatever works for
you.

Choose tea
I wish more of my patients would drink warm herbal teas instead of cold soft drinks and diet
sodas, says acupuncturist Lindsay Long, of Maple Grove, Minnesota.
The phosphoric acid in colas can be harmful to bone health, and it can soften tooth enamel.
According to acupuncture dietary theory, warm drinks are most supportive to the digestive
system, and the bitter flavor of tea clears excess heat and dries dampness from the body.

Stop waiting for perfect

Stop waiting for the perfect time to engage in perfect behavior, says Wayland, Massachusetts
acupuncturist Marisa Fanelli.
Many of my patients consider anything less than a dramatic life change to be a failure. So, they
wait until the perfect time to start eating the perfect diet. Or they wait until the perfect time to
start working out again, since anything less than seven days a week at the gym is a failure.
This kind of all-or-nothing thinking leads to being perpetually stuck. In acupuncture-speak, we
call this stagnation. Remember that even small steps forward are beneficialand far easier to
maintain in the long run.

Engage in conscious eating

I wish all of my patients practiced conscious eating, says Kathleen Port, an acupuncturist in
Los Angeles.
This means being sensitive to portion size but also quality of food and eating habitsfor
example, not eating in the car or late at night, or not eating highly processed foods.
When we dont bring consciousness to our eating habits, our Spleen and Stomach systems can
become easily overwhelmed. When this happens, digestion slows down and cannot convert
food into qi and blood. Qi and blood deficiencies give rise to a variety of issues, including poor
sleep, poor digestion, menstrual dysfunction, infertility, and mood disorders.

Listen to your body

When we are in a state of balance, our bodies stay healthy on their own, without much effort on
our part, says acupuncturist Michelle McGlade, from Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
When we are out of balance, our bodies signal alarms. These alarms can show up as fatigue,
pain, or depression, to name just a few.

If everyone listened for these signals and took action when they happenedfor example, made
a diet change or started going to bed earlierwed all be much better off. When we take care of
ourselves, we are better able to take care of the people we love.

Bonus tip for pets: Change up the

food
On behalf of my dog patients, I wish their owners would follow my nutritional
recommendations, says pet acupuncturist Jeanie Mossa Kraft, of Falls Church, Virginia.
Dogs acupuncture treatments are enhanced by a healthy diet that does not include wheat,
gluten, soy, or corn. Wheat and gluten exacerbate pain, especially arthritic painwhat we call bi
syndrome in acupuncture. Soy and corn can make allergies worse in pets.
I beg the owners, If you do nothing else, please change the dogs food! If only dogs could
talk!

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Spleen 6
By Sara Calabro
Ever wonder why acupuncturists choose certain points? TheAcuTake Why Are You Doing That
Point? series has the answer.
So far weve looked at Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, two popular acupuncture points that are
frequently used together; Stomach 36, known for its energizing qualities; and Governing Vessel
20, a conversation-starter located on the top of the head.
This time were looking at a very widely used point called Spleen 6.
Spleen 6also known as Sanyinjiao (Chinese name), Three Yin Intersection (English
translation) and SP6 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the inside of the lower leg.

To find it yourself, place the pinkie-side edge of your hand against the high point of your medial
malleolous (the big bone on the inside of your ankle). Spleen 6 is directly above the malleolous,
at the other, index-finger edge of your hand (see picture below).

Spleen 6 Is a Three-for-One Deal

The location of Spleen 6 is what makes it so widely used. Spleen 6 is the point at which the
Spleen, Liver and Kidney meridians intersecthence the name, Three Yin Intersection.

This means it can be used to address issues having to do with any of the three channels.
And that means Spleen 6 is used an awful lot.
John Pirog, in his great bookThe Practical Application of Meridian Style Acupuncture, says that
naming all of Spleen 6s indications would require an entire text.
In A Manual of Acupuncture, author Peter Deadman calls Spleen 6 one of the most important
and widely used of the acupuncture points.
Its not just that Spleen 6 is a three-fer. Moreover, Spleen, Liver and Kidneyarguably more
than other channelsare principally important in a significant number of functions throughout
the body.
Westerners in particular, plagued by our overworked and stressed-out lifestyles, are
disproportionately afflicted with patterns that affect the Liver and Spleen meridians. For this
reason, Spleen 6 is included in almost all acupuncture treatments for general-wellness,
balancing, and stress-reduction.

We could all use a little more Spleen 6 in our lives.

Ladies, Remember This Acupuncture Point

Although Spleen 6 is used for many, many conditions, there are a few for which it is known to be
especially effective. Gynecological conditions are at the top of the list.

Anything gynecologicalPMS, irregular or painful menstruation, infertility, delayed or difficult

labor, genital pain or itchingis from an acupuncture perspective directly related to Spleen,
Liver and Kidney. Gynecological issues can stem from any (or all three) of these systems, so a
point that influences them all is efficient and effective.
In fact, Spleen 6s effect on a womans reproductive health is so powerful that the point is
contraindicated during pregnancy.
Spleen 6 also addresses reproductive health in men. It is frequently used on men who complain
of impotence, seminal emission and genital pain.

Spleen 6 Is A Lot to Digest

After gynecology, digestion is the next best-known area that warrants love from Spleen 6.
Often used in combination with acupuncture point Stomach 36, Spleen 6 is particularly focused
on resolving digestive and abdominal problems due to what is known as Dampness.
As it pertains to digestive disorders, Dampness can cause diarrhea, undigested food in the
stool, abdominal distention or fullness, and weak appetite. Many of these symptoms are seen in

that overworked and stressed-out Westerner mentioned above, because Dampness often is a
sign of deficiency in the Spleen caused by an overactive Liver.
Spleen 6, in addition to being chosen when digestive or abdominal symptoms suggest
Dampness, also is a go-to point for women whose digestive disturbances are accompanied by
gynecological problems.
Other uses for Spleen 6 include difficult or painful urination, insomnia, dizziness, low back and
knee pain, as well as ankle and foot pain because of its location.
As the connection point for the bodys Spleen, Liver and Kidney energies, Spleen 6 is
multifaceted and powerful in its effects. Dont be surprised if you see it pop up in your next
acupuncture treatment.
Next up on Why Are You Doing That Point? is Yintang. Read it now.
Photos by Sara Calabro
SP6 infographic from A Manual of Acupuncture

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Gall Bladder 30
By Sara Calabro
This edition of Why Are You Doing That Point?, an ongoing series that explains popular
acupuncture points, is about Gall Bladder 30, a key point used in treatments for hip and leg
pain.
Gall Bladder 30also known as Huantiao (Chinese name), Jumping Circle (English translation)
and GB30 (acupuncturist lingo)is located between your sacrum and greater trochanter.

In normal-speak, Gall Bladder 30 is usually found smack in the middle of your jeans back
pocket (see picture below).

The Hip Whisperer

The inspiration for writing about Gall Bladder 30 came from an AcuTake reader, who recently
had a hip replacement. Three months after his procedure, he is still having a lot of pain. He
wrote asking for recommendations for acupressure points for hip pain.
Without knowing anything else about this readers situation, Gall Bladder 30 would be my first
recommendation.
Peter Deadman, in his definitive A Manual of Acupuncture, says Gall Bladder 30 is unrivaled
in importance for the treatment of disorders of the hip joint and buttock, whether due to
traumatic injury, painful obstruction, stagnation of qi or deficiency.
Got hip pain? Reach for Gall Bladder 30.

How to Use Gall Bladder 30

Heres how to find Gall Bladder 30: Put on a pair of jeans and locate the center of the back
pocket on the side youre having pain.
Depending on how your jeans fall, you may need to adjust. Technically, the point is found by
dividing the distance between the sacrum and greater trochanter into thirds. Gall Bladder 30 is
located one-third from the trochanter, so closer to the side of your leg than to your sacrum.

This picture from the handy Points app on my phone offers another angle. The green dot is Gall
Bladder 30.
Sometimes the easiest way to locate the point is to feel around for some slight tenderness.
Once you find that, press. Most people say they know it when they feel it.
You can press this point yourself, or, if you feel comfortable, have someone else do it for you.
Because the gluteal muscles are relatively large, you may need to use firm pressure and press
fairly deep.
Since Gall Bladder 30 can be somewhat difficult to reach on your own, a tennis or lacrosse ball
can help. Place the ball on the ground and then lower your body onto it, trying to align Gall
Bladder 30 with the ball. Try out various levels of pressure until you find what feels right for you.
If going straight to the source on Gall Bladder 30 is too tender, you can try loosening up the area
with Gall Bladder 34, another point on the Gall Bladder channel thats located farther down the
leg. Gall Bladder 34 is a go-to for alleviating stiff muscles and tightness along the side of the
body. Its easier to access and tends to be less sensitive than Gall Bladder 30.
Let us know if you have luck using this acupuncture point! And learn about other points in
the Why Are You Doing That Point? series.

5 Common Running Injuries

and How Acupuncture Can
Help
By Ginna Ellis
Acupuncture and running are a well-suited pair.
Whether youre a casual runner or a qualifying entrant in Mondays Boston Marathon,
acupuncture can help you stay on top of your running game. From knee and hip pain to plantar
fasciitis and fatigue, many ailments suffered by runners can be helped by acupuncture.
Here is how acupuncture addresses the 5 most common causes of running injuries.

Lazy butt syndrome

The problem
Runners are notorious for having inactive lateral glutes, the muscles that provide stability to the
pelvis as you move forward.
When these muscles dont engage, your femur rotates inward and your hip collapses. This
excessive motion in the pelvis increases instability in your knees, ankles, and feet.
Unstable levers cannot tolerate high loads in either intensity or volume, so they tend to get
injured. Runners are especially prone to this particular imbalance because they often focus on
training the muscles that drive them forwardfor example, the quads and calvesand not the
smaller muscles that stabilize the pelvis.
How acupuncture helps
A single acupuncture treatment can activate your glute muscles, restoring the connection
between your brain and your butt. This allows you to maintain the hip stability required for an
injury-resilient running form.

Kinetic chain imbalances

The problem
The repetitive stress of running is transferred along lines of fascia, a type of connective tissue
that links together every cell in the body. Runners often hold excess tension in the back fascial
line (Achilles, calves, hamstrings, and paraspinals) and lateral fascial line (peroneals, iliotibial
band, and tensor fascia latae).
Injuries occur along the weakest points of these lines, but the problem actually originates above
or below the site of pain. For example, your Achilles is sore because of a hypertonic calf and
hamstring.
How acupuncture helps
Whether you call them meridians, fascial trains, or kinetic chains, acupuncture has an effect on
entire lines of pull in the body. By releasing adhesions and trigger points along these fascial
chains, acupuncture corrects the imbalances causing your injury.
You will feel the change immediately. A single needle in your hip will illicit a noticeable release all
the way down your leg and into your foot.

Inflammation
The problem
Many overuse injuries involve localized pockets of inflammation that cause pain and impair
function.
Acute inflammation is a good thingthe swelling and increased blood flow are necessary for
healing.
However, improper biomechanics, overtraining, poor diet, and stress impair the bodys ability to
fully recover. Inflammation persists longer than it should, often becoming stuck around the
sheath of the Achilles tendon, in the joint spaces of the knee and ankle, or behind the insertion
of the iliotibial band.

How acupuncture helps

Acupuncture is effective for these types of injuries because the hair-thin needles can reach
pockets of inflammation with a precision that no other modality matches. Acupuncture resolves
any lingering inflammation, enabling your body to complete the healing process and restore full
strength, mobility, and function to the injured tissue.
Not only can acupuncture resolve acute inflammation, but it also has an anti-inflammatory effect
on the entire body. This causes a reduction in systemic inflammation and allows you to develop
a healthier inflammatory response.

Tendon dysfunction
The problem
Runners often injure tendons because they increase their training loads too quickly. Connective
tissues like tendons have a relatively poor blood supply and thus adapt at a much slower rate
than muscles do.
Tendons are comprised of collagen fibers aligned in a specific direction in order to handle a
specific stress. When we overload our tendons by running too many miles with poor
biomechanics, the fibers become jumbled and stuck together, and scar tissue forms.
How acupuncture helps
Acupuncture is especially powerful in treating tendon injuries because needles bring circulation
to areas with an otherwise limited blood supply. In particular, electroacupuncture, a combination
of acupuncture and electro-stimulation, has been shown to increase the diameter,
reorganization, and strength of a tendons collagen fibers.
Acupuncture also releases the excessive tension in muscles and fascia that are overloading the
tendon in the first place. There is actually an acupuncture point specifically for promoting the
health of tendons throughout your entire body. Learn about it here!

Overtraining syndrome

The problem
Runners dont like to hear this, but there is such a thing as running too much. If you are
perpetually stressing the body faster than it can recover, you may develop symptoms of
overtrainingfatigue, a depleted immune system, lack of concentration, poor sleep, and an
inability to recover from workouts.
Extreme cases of this may lead to overtraining syndrome, which is a serious condition
characterized by chronically elevated heart rate, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and depression. Your
nervous system is essentially stuck in sympathetic overdrive (fight or flight), making you unable
to relax, sleep, or properly recover.
How acupuncture helps
If you train hard, you need to rest harder. Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to
activate your parasympathetic nervous systemthe part that allows you to rest, digest, and heal
helping you to relax fully and sleep deeply.
If you are a competitive athlete flirting with the line of overtraining, regular acupuncture is
essential to ensure that your recovery is just as high quality as your workouts.

The Valentines Day Acupressure

Massage
Who doesnt love a good massage? Just offering your sweetie an ordinary ole massage would
probably go a long way. But I said sure-fire, so Ive got something even better.
I am going to teach you how to incorporate acupressure into a massage, creating an experience
thats tailored specifically for your Valentine. This will not only induce pure physical bliss but also
leave your Valentine feeling overwhelmed by how smart and thoughtful you are.

Acupressure Points for Everyone

First, there are three acupressure points that should be incorporated into everyones Valentines
Day massage. They are Kidney 1, Bladder 15 and Bladder 32(ish).

Kidney 1
Kidney 1 is located on the bottom of the foot, just behind the pad, between the second and third
metatarsal bones. Using firm pressure with your thumbs, press Kidney 1 on both feet at the
same time. This point is used to ground a person, to energetically pull down the constant
buzzing that happens in many of our heads. Touching this point will help your Valentine quiet the
internal chatter and become more fully present in his/her body. Its a great way to start any
massage.

Bladder 15
Bladder 15 is located about an inch-and-a-half outside the spine, at the level of the fifth thoracic
vertebra. In laymans terms, thats about midway between the top and bottom edges of the
scapula, the triangular bone in the picture at right. Dont stress about finding the exact spot
because the acupuncture point just slightly above Bladder 15 has similar effects. Again, using
firm pressure with your thumbs, press Bladder 15 on both sides of the spine at the same time.
Bladder 15 is whats known as the Back Shu point of the Heart. Briefly: Each of the bodys
organs has its own Back Shu point and they are all located along the Bladder channel. Shu in
Chinese means to transport, as in transport qi (or blood, or fluids, or whatevers needed) to the
organ associated with that point.
So essentially, Bladder 15 helps to nourish the Heart organ. The Heart in acupuncture has many
functionssome of which are similar to the ones we know from Western medicine and some
less soand it does play a role in a persons ability to give and receive love, and to be present
in relationships. It is, so to speak, the key to your Valentines heart.

Bladder 32 area

I say Bladder 32 area because there are a bunch of points in the sacral region that can be used.
But Bladder 32 is a good point to shoot for, as its located at the epicenter of these points, all of
which are effective for stimulating sexual energy.
Any of the points in this region should be pressed on both sides at the same time. Rather than
using firm pressure right away, ease into these points, as they can be very tender on some
people. Women especially might experience tenderness around Bladder 32, as its a common
treatment point for anything related to menstruation. Men and women who have sciatica or low
back pain also might find this region sensitive.

Choose Your Own Acupressure Points

The above three points should included in all Valentines Day acupressure massages. They
alone can make for a great Valentines treat. Here are some additional acupressure points that
can be incorporated based on your loved ones specific needs.
Some styles of acupuncture think about the body in terms of zonesthe back (tai yang in
acupuncture speak), front (yang ming) and side (shao yang). And each of these zones is
accessible via certain acupuncture points on the hands and feet.
For example, if a person seeks acupuncture for low back pain and occipital headaches, the
acupuncturist might choose Small Intestine 3 on the hand because this point directly affects
the tai yang/back zone of the body. The idea is that these opening points, as they are known,
help to loosen the tight musculature and constricted meridians of the zone, which then lessens
the intensity of any direct needling to the area.
Find out if your Valentine is experiencing any pain or tension in a specific part of the body.
Based on that information, you can select from the following points:

Small Intestine 3
This acupressure point is for pain, tension or discomfort anywhere on the back of the body. So if
your Valentine mentions low back pain, upper back and neck pain, or headaches that feel like
theyre coming from the base of the skull, this is a good choice. You can press it on both hands,
although its usually easier to do one hand at a time. If the pain is in the upper back or head, you
can ask which side of the body is worse and just do the point on that side.

Spleen 4
This acupressure point is for pain, tension or discomfort anywhere on the front of the body. Any
complaints having to do with the chest or abdominal region can benefit from this opening point.

This means chest or abdominal pain as well as shortness of breath and other upper respiratory
problems, and digestive or menstrual issues.
Similar to Kidney 1, press Spleen 4 using firm pressure with your thumbs, on both feet at the
same time. Go easy at first because this point can be tender, especially on women who are
menstruating.

Gall Bladder 41
This acupressure point is for pain, tension or discomfort anywhere on the side of the body.
Valentines with temporal headaches, hip pain, shoulder problems, or iliotibial band syndrome
can benefit from this point. Since the point is on the top of the foot and your partner is face
down, youll want to gently bend the leg so that the foot comes up. From here you can press
Gall Bladder 41 separately on each side since youll only have one hand free.
Large Intestine 4 and Liver 3
These are not opening points for any particular part of the body. Rather, they form an excellent
point combination known as Four Gates. This is one of the most frequently used point
combinations in all of acupuncture. There are several theories on why Four Gates is so powerful
but the prevailing idea is that the combination opens up circulation throughout the entire body,
with Liver 3 handling the lower half while Large Intestine 4 addresses the upper.

If your Valentine isnt experiencing any specific aches and pains, Four Gates is a great addition
to your acupressure massage. It will circulate energy and help ease any stagnation, physical or
emotional, that may have gone unmentioned. Learn more about the benefits and exact location
of Four Gates here.

How to Bring It All Together

A massage, especially one given as a Valentines Day gift, can be very personal. You know your
Valentine best, so the massage should primarily be based on your intuition and your partners
comfort level and preferences.
There is no rigid formula, but here are a few suggestions for how to bring it all together:

Start by asking your Valentine if he or she has been experiencing any pain, tension or
discomfort in a specific part of the body. This will help you determine which acupressure points
youll be incorporating into the massage.

Ask your Valentine to lay on his/her stomach. All acupressure points can be reached
from this position.

Regardless of which points youre planning to use, begin the massage with Kidney 1.
Because of its grounding qualities, Kidney 1 will help bring your Valentine into a relaxed state
for the rest of the massage.

While you are pressing Kidney 1 on both feet, ask your partner to take some deep
breaths and imagine that he/she is filling his/her whole body with air, all the way down to the
bottom of the feet where you are applying pressure.

After Kidney 1, move to the area-specific points that are appropriate for you partner. This
will help loosen that part of the body so that he/she can get greater enjoyment from the rest of
the massage.

As you did with Kidney 1, ask your partner to take a few slow, deep breaths while you
press these opening or circulating points.

Next, move to Bladder 15 and Bladder 32. These points can be performed once or
several times while youre massaging other areas on the back.

Each time you press the Bladder points, ask your Valentine to breath slowly and deeply
directly into the area that you are pressing.

Repeat as you see fit.

There you have it. The key to a successful Valentines Day is literally in your hands. Good luck!

Want to Look Younger? Try

Acupuncture
By Marisa Fanelli
Acupuncture can make you look younger.
Im not talking about cosmetic acupuncture, although that can be effective, too. Im talking
about using acupuncture to strengthen your five most essential organ systemsKidney, Spleen,
Liver, Lung, and Heartso that you are systemically healthier.
This can not only make you feel younger but actually prevent physical signs of aging.
Remember that organ in acupuncture is different from organs as we think of them in Western
medicine. An organ system in acupuncture includes the anatomical organ as well as the
meridians that connect to that organ, the functional or energetic qualities of the organ, and even
the associated emotions of the organ.
Heres how each of the five essential organ systems influences the aging process.

Kidney Is the Aging King

Kidney is the primary player in determining how we age. A deficiency of the Kidney system can
lead to premature aging, causing you to look weathered, wrinkled, and old sooner than you
should.
Kidney is the system associated with hair and bones, so premature graying and osteoporosis
are common in people with Kidney issues. Dental problems and poor hearing are other signs of
a Kidney imbalance, as teeth and ears belong to this system as well.

The reason Kidney plays such a big role in aging has to go with something called jing, a concept
unfamiliar to most Westerners. Jing, which is made by the Kidneys, essentially is the fuel that
keeps us alive. It is a physically intangible force that dictates how many years we have, and
whether those years will be spent in good or bad health.
We are all born with a certain amount of jing, and some people are dealt a better hand than
otherstheir jing jars are naturally full. However, this doesnt mean people with
meagerjing jars are doomed.
Through lifestyle choices, we can affect how quickly we burn through our jing fuel. Getting
adequate rest, eating right, avoiding stress, and using preventive therapies like acupuncture can
all help preserve your jing and promote a longer, healthier life.

Tighten Your Muscles with Spleen

The Spleen is the organ system in charge of muscles. A weak Spleen can lead to flabby, flaccid
muscles, while people with strong Spleen systems tend toward firm, toned physiques.
The Spleen is especially vulnerable to sugar. When people have imbalances in their Spleen
system, theyll commonly mention sugar cravings. Overindulgence in sugar can cause not only
weight gain but sagging skin, because the Spleen becomes too weak to perform its function of
holding things in place.
For a firm, youthful appearance, keep your Spleen happy by moderating sugar intake.
(Read more: 5 tips for nourishing your Spleen and improving digestion)

Loosen Up with Liver

Remember how flexible and resilient you were as a kid? Thats because you had an abundance
of free-flowing Liver energy. As adults, under the stressors of everyday life, this Liver energy
often becomes stuck, creating a very common pattern known in acupuncture as Liver Qi
Stagnation.

Stuck Liver Qi causes symptoms that many of us write off as normal signs of aging. We feel stiff
upon waking and after exercising, bending and reaching becomes difficult, movement in general
feels more restricted.
The Liver system is responsible for smooth flow throughout the body, and it nourishes the
connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. Many of these supposed symptoms of old age
improve when the Liver becomes more balanced.
(Read more: Why the Liver system is especially important in springtime)

Breathe Life into Your Lungs

Ever notice how people who exercise regularly radiate vitality? Their cheeks glow, their eyes are
brightthey look youthful. From an acupuncture perspective, this is because exercise helps
keep the Lung system strong.
In acupuncture, the Lungs initiate the whole process of how energy, or qi, flows throughout the
body. The Lung system takes in qi from the air we breathe and turns it into a substance that
nourishes all of the organs and meridians.
When the Lung system is in balance, the breath is deep and invigorating. This leads to greater
energy for movement, which in turn balances out the other organ systems. Its a selfperpetuating cycle that breathes life into your physical and emotional being.
Whenever possible, breathe and move!

Heart Health Is Happiness

Weve all met people who can laugh at themselves and people who take life too seriously. Who
seems younger?
In acupuncture, each organ system has an associated emotion, and joy is the emotion of the
Heart. When your Heart system is balanced, you feel lighter and happier. You feel more at
peace with whats behind you and more optimistic about what lies ahead. This attitude reflects
liveliness. It makes you seem young.

Acupuncture helps keep the Heart system balanced so that you can experience joy, learn to
laugh at life, and feel youthful.
(Read more: 7 tips for nourishing your Heart system and its Fire element)
If youre looking for a fountain of youth, give acupuncture a try.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Lung 7
By Sara Calabro
Youre going to want to pay attention to this edition of Why Are You Doing That Point?, an
ongoing series that explains popular acupuncture points.
Its late January, and many people around youand maybe you as wellare getting sick. It is
prime time for catching and spreading colds and flus. Now more than ever, your immune system
can use a little extra love. And Ive got just the acupuncture point for you.
Lung 7also known as Lieque (Chinese name), Broken Sequence (English translation) and
LU7 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the thumb-side edge of your wrist.
To find Lung 7, make a thumbs-up sign. When you do that, youll see a depression at the base
of your thumb (referred to as the anatomical snuffbox). From that depression, Lung 7 is located
approximately two finger widths up your arm. Slowly glide your finger up until you feel a slight
depression between two tendons (see picture below). Thats Lung 7.

Key Immune-Boosting Acupuncture Point

Lung 7 is a key acupuncture point for treating cold and flu symptoms, including cough, sore
throat, chills and fever, nasal congestion, headache, and stiff neck.
In acupuncture, many of these symptoms are caused by a Wind invasion. Lung 7 works by
helping to expel Wind from the body. Wind invades through the back of the neck, which is why
Lung 7 is the go-to point for that stiff-neck feeling we associate with a cold coming on. Its also
why acupuncturists are always cautioning their patients to wear scarves.
Regular acupuncture treatments, many of which are likely to include Lung 7 this time of year,
are ideal for keeping your immune system strong throughout the winter. But if you know Lung 7,
you can supplement treatments with simple immune-boosting self-acupressure whenever you
want. Just press the point firmly or use a circular motion to massage the area.
Lung 7 is one of four points included in the Acupuncture Flu Shota four-point acupressure
routine for boosting immunity. When you have extra time, try the complete Flu Shot routine.

Text Much? Try Lung 7 for Thumb Pain

In addition to helping with immunity, Lung 7 is a great point for thumb and wrist pain caused by
too much texting.
The trajectory of the Lung channelthe acupuncture meridian on which Lung 7 fallsmaps
almost exactly to the pain patterns that many people develop from excessive thumb texting.This
article on trigger point acupuncture for BlackBerry thumb shows some of those patterns.
In the rare moments when youre not using your phone, massage Lung 7 to help preserve your
thumbs, hands, and wrists.

This works for non-texting related thumb, hand, and wrist pain, too. Some cases of carpal
tunnel, for example, depending on where the pain is, can be helped by Lung 7. Try it and see. If
nothing else, youll give yourself an immune boost

Save Your Eyes from Computer

Use With This Simple Exercise
By Sara Calabro
Ever get that thing where your eyelid wont stop twitching? Annoying, right? It comes on
unexpectedly and makes it hard to concentrate on anything else.
Recently, AcuTake contributing writer Eric Kerr had this experience, known as myokymia in
Western medical parlance. His eyelid had been twitching for three months straight! He
suspected it was caused by excessive computer use, a likely theory given the known
ramifications of too much screen time. These include eye pain and fatiguewhich can cause
involuntary spasms in the eyelidsas well as vision loss, dry eyes and headaches. The
Western medical world now has a name for this, Computer Vision Syndrome.
Inspired to help others deal with their own computer-induced eye problems, Eric made this
video on acupressure for eye health. All points mentioned in that video are highly
recommended for anyone suffering from eye problems.
But when I heard Erics story and watched his video, it reminded of me an even simpler
technique for reducing eye strain that one of my teachers shared with me while I was in
acupuncture school.

The Easy Antidote for Computer Eyes

I wrote about this teacher last year in a piece on how to improve your posture.
Kiiko Matsumoto is a renowned Japanese acupuncturist known for her eccentric and
humorous teaching style. Her words of wisdom often come in the form of off-handed remarks or
seemingly irrelevant anecdotes. However, Kiikos comments are always purposeful and
remarkably useful. Sold-out seminars with Kiiko are filled with furiously scribbling acupuncturists
who are desperate to retain her barrage of priceless gems.
Im going to share with you one of these gems for reducing eye strain caused by too much
computer use.

One day, while working under Kiikos watch in the student clinic, I met an investment banker
with chronic eye strain. He regularly worked 80-hour weeks, almost always in front of a
computer. He said it was hard to keep his eyes opennot because he was sleepy but because
his eyes felt so physically tired and weak, and occasionally even painful. He frequently had to
rub and press his eyes because they felt so dry. Sometimes his vision was blurry.

I performed an acupuncture treatment on the patient that included many of the points mentioned
in Eric Kerrs video on acupressure for eye health. It looked similar to how Eric looked after
giving himself acupuncture for his chronic eye twitching (see picture at right).
Kiiko approved of the treatment but pulled me aside before I was about to dismiss the patient.
She told me to remember to tell him about the sky. Huh? She said that one of the best things
chronic computer users can do to preserve their eyes is stare at the sky.
At first this seemed obvious. Looking at something other than the computer screen gives the
eyes a much needed rest. No, Kiiko said. Tell him specifically to look at the sky.

Five Element Acupuncture Helps Explain

Sky Staring
Unfortunately, I never got the full story from Kiiko on why sky staring is so encouraged for heavy
computer users with eye problems. After sharing her recommendation for my overworked
banker, she quickly moved on to help other students unravel their patients puzzles. But I have a

theory as to why this incredibly simple technique comes so highly recommended by such an
experienced acupuncturist. Here goes:
In acupuncture, each sense is associated with a certain organ and meridian system. Sight goes
with the Liver system, so any issues related to eye health are usually attributed, at least in part,
to a Liver imbalance.
Additionally, chronic computer use often causes tension throughout the body. Sitting at a desk
all day, often hunched over a keyboard, can lead to neck and shoulder tightness and poor
posture. To boot, emotional tension runs high when youre working long hours at a stressful job.
Liver is the system thats responsible for smooth flow throughout the body. This means its the
system that is most directly affected by things that cause us to be less go-with-the-flow and
more rigid.
When were tense and over using our eyes, its a double whammy on the Liver system. This, I
believe, has to do with why Kiiko suggests staring at the sky as an antidote for computerinduced eye problems.
One of the concepts from which acupuncturists make diagnoses and develop treatment plans is
that of the five elements. Each organ/meridian system is associated with a natural element.
These elements are represented by colors, physical characteristics, and emotional tendencies.
Human beings possess all of the elements but often one or several of the elements are over
expressed (causing other elements to be under expressed). Balance in health and life is
achieved when all elements are equally expressed.
That is a very gross oversimplification of Five Element acupuncture, but it helps explain a basic
Five Element concept that relates to the benefits of looking at the sky.

To achieve balance among all five elements, each element must help the others along. And
certain elements are especially important to the expression of other certain elements. For
example, the Wood element is heavily influenced by the Water element. This is because Water
precedes Wood in whats known as the generation cycle, a clockwise procession of the
elements (see picture at right).
Water nourishes Wood, meaning the Water element has to be balanced in order for the Wood
element to be in balance. Wood needs to be right in order for the Fire element to be right. And
so on.
So, looking at eye health from a Five Element perspective, if computer-induced eye problems
are primarily a Liver issue, well want to nourish the element that represents Liver. Livers
element is Wood. As mentioned above, ensuring healthy expression of the Wood element
requires paying attention to the Water element.
The sky is blue. The sky produces rain. It is an ideal manifestation of the Water element.
If youre one of many people who spend a lot of time in front of a computeror iPad,
iPhone/BlackBerry or TVlook at the sky whenever you can. Great if you can actually get
outside to do it, but even looking out your office window can be helpful.
While looking at the sky, meditate on what youre doing. Youre strengthening your Water
element so that it can nourish your overworked Wood element. Think of watering an old, dried
out tree trunk and seeing it come back to life.
Look at the sky sounds simple but it can have profound effects on eye problems caused by too
much computer use. Try it.

Featured photo by Lisa Comrie Gibson

Photo of Eric Kerr by Eric Kerr

Boost Your Immunity With

This 2-Minute Acupressure
Routine
By Sara Calabro
Acupuncture strengthens natural resistance to disease.
I recently came across that sentence when I was leafing through some old notes from
acupuncture school. It was underlined twice and highlighted.
Although I dont remember writing it or which of my teachers said it, the words clearly resonated
with me at the time. Rereading them now, especially during peak flu season, they still do.
Its a simple idea and yet profound. Forget endorphins. Forget improved blood circulation.
Forget placebo. This is how acupuncture worksby strengthening our natural resistance to
disease.
Whether were talking about the flu, and hence its immunity-boosting ability, or back pain,
acupuncture makes us stronger so that we can naturally resist illness and pain. This is true
whether its happening due to fired up neurotransmitters or a practitioner with exceptional
bedside manner.
In the end, acupuncture works by making us better equipped to cope physically and emotionally.

The Acupuncture Flu Shot

For the above-state reasons, acupuncture is primarily a preventive form of medicineit makes
us stronger so that we can avoid disease rather than dealing with it after it happens.

The following four acupuncture points strengthen immunity and will improve your chances of
avoiding the flu this year. If youve already suffered through the flu, these four points will help
prevent a recurrence.
In between regular acupuncture treatmentsthe best way to stay healthy throughout flu
seasonyou can press these points yourself. You also can perform the routine on children or
other loved ones who are in extra need of an immunity boost.

Kidney 27

Kidney 27 is an immune-boosting super star, and especially helpful for people who are prone to
upper respiratory flu symptoms. The Kidney system is said to grasp Lung Qi, meaning it helps
distribute the air that enters the lungs throughout the rest of the body. When this interplay
doesnt happen correctly, shortness of breath and cough can occur as well as fatigue because
your body is not being properly oxygenated. Kidney 27 is easily accessible, located about one
inch from the midline on the lower border of the collar bone.

Large Intestine 11

Although better known as a fever-reducing point, Large Intestine 11 also is used preventively for
colds and flus, and other immune-compromising conditions. In fact, one well-known style of
Japanese acupuncture (Kiiko Matsumotos) considers Large Intestine 11 to be the master
immune point in the body. Its actually a point that falls just slightly below and outside Large
Intestine 11. The exact location is determined according to sensitivity in that area. The most
sensitive spot is usually the most effective when pressed or needled. Find Large Intestine 11 at
the lateral (thumb side) edge of the elbow crease. Learn more about Large Intestine 11s uses
and location here.

Lung 7

Make a thumbs-up sign. When you do that, youll see a depression at the base of your thumb
(referred to as the anatomical snuffbox). From that depression, Lung 7 is located approximately
two finger widths up your arm. This acupuncture point is good for bolstering your bodys
defensive energy, helping to keep your immune system strong. Symptomatically, Lung 7 is a
frequently used point for cough, headache and stiff neck.

Stomach 36

Stomach 36 is one of the most effective acupuncture points for strengthening the immune
system and recovering from fatigue. Acupuncturists often incorporate this point into treatments
because it is such an energizing point. Stomach 36 is found about a hand length below the
patella of the knee, just outside the prominent tibia bone. Sometimes pressing this point, if its
done firmly enough, will produce a strong sensation that travels down the leg. Learn more about
Stomach 36s uses and location here.

How to Do the Routine

Here are a few quick tips on performing acupressure on these points:

Before performing acupressure on any of these points, get into a comfortable position
from which you can easily access all four points (dont worrynot at the same time!).

Begin with Kidney 27 and work your way down the body. So, the order should be Kidney
27, Large Intestine 11, Lung 7, Stomach 36.

For Kidney 27 and Stomach 36, since you have both hands free, press the point on both
sides of the body at the same time.

For Lung 7 and Large Intestine 11, try pressing the point on each side of the body to
determine whether one side is more tender than the other. If so, focus your acupressure
sessions on the tender side. If both are equally tender (or not at all), you can pick either, or
take turns pressing the points on both sides.

Spend 30 seconds on each point. Apply firm pressure while breathing steadily into your
abdomen. Youll probably find this routine very relaxing, so feel free to repeat it. Especially this
time of year, you cant overdo it.

As a maintenance routine, shoot for doing the two-minute routine once in the morning
and once before bed. If you start feeling fatigued, weak or like you might be coming down with
something, up it to three times a day.
Wishing you a flu-free remainder of the winter!

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Spleen 4
By Sara Calabro
Why Are You Doing That Point? is back by popular demand! Its been a while. This edition will
focus on an acupuncture point on the all-important Spleen channel.
I say all-important because the Spleen does a lot. It plays a critical role in our ability to digest
food, which ultimately affects many other processes throughout the bodywithout nourishment,
all systems suffer. In this way, the Spleen has a hand in everything, and Spleen 4 is one of the
most commonly used points along the channel.
Spleen 4also known as Grandfather Grandson (English name), Gongsun (Chinese
translation), and SP4 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the inside of the foot.
Find it by running your thumb along the edge of the first metatarsal bone. Spleen 4 is about one
inch above where the foot juts out, the place where most people get bunions (see photo below

and click to enlarge). If youre in the right spot, you should feel a slight depression at the base of
the bone, and the point may be quite sensitive.

Digest This Point for Bloating

If you remember one thing about Spleen 4, remember digestion.

Spleen 4 is said to harmonize the middle jiao, referring to the abdominal region. Therefore, it is
a frequent go-to point for abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, undigested food in the stool,
and vomiting.
People who complain of getting no enjoyment out of eating may also receive Spleen 4.

Spleen 4 Helps Lower Stress

So, Spleen 4s great for digestion in the traditional sense. Because of the Spleens relationship
to the Heart, its also great for the digestion of thoughts and experiences, and calming the spirit.
People who tend to stew on or over think thingsa sign of Spleen deficiencymay benefit from
Spleen 4. It can help with processing and moving through emotional stressors.
Portland, Oregon-based acupuncturist Cayly Christensen says Spleen 4 is her favorite point
for reducing stress.
Treating the Spleen to reduce excessive rumination and quiet an overly analytical mind can be
very useful in easing stress, says Christensen. The location of the point, on the inside of the
foot, contributes to its stress-lowering quality. It tends to be a sensitive point, which helps bring
people out of their heads and into their bodies.
Further reading: DIY acupuncture points for lowering stress

Self-Care Exercise for Digestion

Feeling bloated? Stressed out? Stomach bothering you? Spleen 4 is an easily accessible point
for administering self-acupressure.

Find a comfortable seated position.

If you can try bending your knees and touching the soles of your feet together. If thats
uncomfortable, get into whatever position gives you easy access to both feet. If you cant find
one, alternate one foot at a time.

Using your thumbs, apply firm pressure to Spleen 4 while breathing steadily into your
abdomen. Do this for two minutes. (Repeat on the other foot if youre doing one at a time.)

As a maintenance routine, shoot for doing this once in the morning and once before bed.
You might experiment with trying out different times of dayfor example, before or after meals
to see whats most effective for you.

Acupuncture Works for Kids,

Really!

By Melissa B. Light

Kids and needlesbad combo, right? After all, kids hate getting shots. So, how is it
possible that acupuncture is a good idea for helping your children stay healthy?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques, including acupuncture, can be

amazingly effective at treating a variety of childhood ailments.

Common complaints like ear aches, respiratory infections, digestive troubles,

bedwetting, ADHD, and much more can be resolved with pediatric TCM techniques such
as acupuncture and tuina bodywork. I see it happen every day.

Questions About Acupuncture for Kids

Im often asked, How old does a child have to be to receive acupuncture? A general
guideline is age seven or older, but sometimes younger children are good candidates. A
practitioner who specializes in pediatrics may use acupuncture on kids of all ages. Every
child should be assessed for readiness for acupuncture on a case-by-case basis.

Another common curiosity about acupuncture for children is whether acupuncture

treatments on kids differ from adult acupuncture treatments. Again, this depends on the

child and the practitioner. When performing acupuncture on a child, the acupuncturist
may retain the needles for less time. Sometimes, acupuncturists who treat kids insert
and remove the needles immediately.

In Chinese medicine, children are thought to have very sensitive and pure energy, or qi.
For this reason, children and infants can respond to acupuncture and related techniques
very quickly, so its unnecessary to retain the needles for as long as what youd typically
see in an adult acupuncture session.

It Is Not All About Needles

In addition to using acupuncture needlesand sometimes instead ofI almost always

treat kiddos with pediatric tuina (pronounced twee-nah), a form of bodywork.

Tuina is considered one of the five branches of Chinese medicine. Unlike traditional
bodywork or massage that concentrates on releasing tight muscles, tuina focuses on
stimulating acupuncture points and meridians to promote health and proper flow of qi.

Pediatric tuina can be used on newborns and works great on kids up to age five or six. It
is used to treat chronic and acute health complaints, and also works preventively and as
a general health booster.

Pediatric tuina is a subspecialty of adult tuina and it takes years for practitioners to
become proficient. There is no official certification for pediatric tuina. Usually an
acupuncturist will complete an internship or another training program after they graduate
from acupuncture school. You can search for bodyworkers who are certified through the
American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia here.

3 DIY Tuina Routines for Kids

Here are three of my favorite pediatric tuina routines for addressing common childhood
complaints and promoting overall good health. You can perform these routines on your
kids at home.

Fu Rub

Helps: Digestion, food absorption, general health

In Chinese medicine, digestion is of paramount importance to good health and a strong

immune system. Digestion also is one of the primary ways we get energy, and this is
especially important for growing bodies. Each night, rub around the belly button in a
circular motion36 times in each direction, using medium pressureto promote proper
digestion.

Third Eye

Helps: Calm the spirit, promote relaxation, relieve sinus pressure

Our third eye coincides with a popular acupuncture point called Yintang. On children,
rub Yintang starting from between the eyebrows and going up onto the forehead. This is
a good remedy for calming anxious kids, and helping to promote sound sleep and sweet
dreams at bedtime. Rubbing Yintang also helps relieve sinus pressure, congestion, and
sinus headaches.

Ear Tugs

Helps: Teething, ear aches, boost the immune system

Ear tugs activate an important acupuncture pointSan Jiao 17, located just behind the
ear lobe, where the lobe meets the neck. To perform this technique on your child, simply
tug gently on both ears 50 times.

If you are a parent looking for a safe, natural way to prevent and treat illness in your
kids, I hope youll consider acupuncture and pediatric tuina. They work!

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Kidney 6

By Sara Calabro

This edition of Why Are You Doing That Point?, like the last one, will focus on a point
on the Kidney channel.

Kidney 6also known as Shining Sea (English name), Zhaohai (Chinese translation),
and KD6 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the inner ankle.

Find it by locating the high point of your medial malleolous, the prominent bone on the
inside of your ankle. Drop your finger to directly below the malleolous and youll feel a
little dip between two tendons. That is Kidney 6 (see picture below). If you dont feel the
dip, try flexing your foot slightly.

Kidney 6, in addition to being an effective point for resolving a host of issuesliterally,

from head to toeserves as a reminder of how acupunctures greatness lies in its
subtlety.

Because Kidney 6 is located in a bony area surrounded by tendons, acupuncture

needles in this point get inserted very shallowly. Most people barely feel it. (There are

exceptions to this, so dont worry if you experience a sensation when receiving Kidney
6.)

In contrast, acupuncture points in the fleshier, more muscular parts of the body may get
needled to a deeper level. Something about this deeper insertion can feel more tangible,
more likely to do something.

But the reality is that, while deep needling is appropriate for certain acupuncture points
and conditions, acupuncture is extremely subtle in how it shifts energy throughout the
body. Deeper is not necessarily better. Less, often, is more.

Sometimes the most shallowly needled acupuncture points, the ones that cause the
least amount of sensation, produce the most profound changes. Kidney 6 is a great
reminder of this.

The Acupuncture Lozenge

One of the most common uses for Kidney 6 is to relieve throat issues. Any kind of throat
problem can benefit from this pointsore throat, dry or scratchy throat, swelling of the
throat, difficulty swallowing, even the feeling of having a lump in your throat.

Kidney 6 is considered the master point of whats known as Yin Qiao Mai, one of eight
extraordinary vessels.

There are entire systems of acupuncture grounded in the extraordinary vessels, so a

complete discussion of them is beyond the scope of this article. But as it relates to
Kidney 6, Yin Qiao Mai is a channel that runs deeper than the main Kidney meridian but
along a similar pathway. It follows the inner part of the body from the foot all the way up
to the inner edge of the eye. It transverses the throat, bringing moisture and movement
to the area.

Kidney 6 helps eye problems such as redness, itching, and blurriness in the same way,
by regulating moisture to the eyes.

This Point Will Calm Your Mind

Kidney 6s ability to resolve a lump in your throat is partly due to what I said above about
the points relationship to body parts along Yin Qiao Mai. However, it also relates to
Kidney 6s relationship to the Heart system.

In acupuncture, many emotional imbalancesthings like anxiety, depression,

nervousness, and restlessnesscan be attributed to a disharmony between the Kidney
and Heart systems. Sometimes this is referred to as Heart and Kidney not

communicating. In order for your mind to be calm and your spirit to be balanced, your
Heart and Kidney systems need to be working in concert with one another.

Kidney 6 is one of the go-to points on the Kidney channel for restoring balance with the
Heart and alleviating emotional symptoms.

Close Your Eyes and Think of Kidney 6

Kidney 6s relationship to the Heart also makes it a good candidate for treating insomnia.
Many of us cant sleep because were struggling emotionally or cant stop our minds
from spinning. This kind of insomnia is often attributed to an imbalance in the Heart
system.

Also, as I mentioned above, Kidney 6 affects eye-related symptoms because the eyes
are part of Yin Qiao Mai. Insomnia that feels as though you physically cant keep your
eyes closed can be a Yin Qiao Mai-related issuehence, its master point, Kidney 6, can
help.

If you experience this kind of insomnia, try the following exercise:

Get into bed, but stay in a seated position from which you can access both ankles. You
can try bending your knees and touching the soles of your feet together. If thats
uncomfortable, get into whatever position gives you easy access to both ankles. If you
cant find one, just use one ankle.

For five full minutes, press Kidney 6 firmly on both sides (or one, if you cant reach both).
I find it most comfortable to use my thumbs, but use whatever fingers feel right for you.
You may notice some tenderness at the point or you may feel nothing. Either is okay.

Close your eyes and concentrate all of your attention to the exact spots where your
thumbs come in contact with your ankles. Take slow, deep breaths while you do this.

Do this exercise every night. As you get more comfortable with the location of Kidney 6,
you can do it with the lights off so that you can easily transition into a fully reclined
positionand hopefully, into a deep sleep.

Kidney 6 Goes Low, Too

Although most of Kidney 6s uses relate to symptoms in the upper part of the body, the
point also is called upon for disturbances in the urinary, digestive, and reproductive
systems.

Urinary tract infections, burning or otherwise painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and
constipation can all be helped by Kidney 6.

And because the Kidney system is responsible for sexual and reproductive health,
acupuncture treatments focused on menstrual-related symptomsanything from period
cramps to infertilityare likely to involve Kidney 6 as well.

Digest This: You Can

Manage Extra Weight,
Constipation, Bloating,
Reflux and Bad Breath With
Acupuncture
By Nancy Byrne
Weve all heard the saying You are what you eat. Its true, but acupuncture lends further
insight into our relationship with food by suggesting that we are also how we eat.
On some level, we know this already. Think about the times when youve skipped breakfast and
then gorged yourself much too quickly on a huge lunch. Chances are, you felt a little irritable
and anxious before stuffing your face, after which you probably felt uncomfortably full and
bloated.
Low blood sugar followed by undue stress on your digestive organs is one way of looking at this
scenario. However, acupuncture offers an explanation thats much more interesting and broader
in scope. Understanding this perspective is an initial step toward avoiding weight gain,
constipation, bloating, acid reflux and even bad breath.

Want Good Digestion? Give Some

Thought to Your Spleen and
Stomach

In acupuncture, the paired Spleen and Stomach are the main organs associated with digestion.
This refers to the digestion of food as well as the digestion of thought.
Digestion of thought? Huh?
This can be a leap for those of us who have been indoctrinated into seeing the body and mind
as separate entitiesas Westerners, this means most of us. Mainstream medicine is based
entirely on this notion, that our organs have physical functions that are entirely separate from
our emotions. Acupuncture is based on a different worldview.
Acupuncture takes an all-inclusive perspective, which means that the organs of the body have
physiological functions as well as emotional characteristics. This body-mind connection cannot
be unraveled.
The emotion associated with the Spleen and Stomach systems is thoughtfulness or
pensiveness. When these organs are out of balance, it manifests as worrying or over thinking.
So when we say that the Spleen and Stomach are responsible for the digestion of thought, we
mean that these organsin the same way they do with foodhelp us take in thoughts,
transform the useful pieces into productive action, and discard of the ones that are wasteful to
our state of mind.
The physiological and emotional aspects of an organ equally figure into its overall state of
balance. This means that over thinking can do as much damage as over eating to your ability to
digest food properly.
For example, if you are feeling stuck emotionally, endlessly brooding over some aspect of your
life, you may start experiencing stuck-like symptoms in your digestion. These include
constipation, bloating, and an inability to lose weight. Your imbalanced Spleen and Stomach are
preventing you from efficiently ingesting, transforming and discarding food. Overtime, this can
create a pattern known as Stomach Heat, which produces symptoms that include acid reflux
and bad breath.
This, of course, is a vicious cycle because many of us, when we feel stuck emotionally, use
eating to soothe ourselves. This further clogs up digestion and worsens the problem. And as our
digestive problems get worse, we worry and feel even more emotionally stuck, and so on.

No wonder the whole world has Irritable Bowel Syndrome!

5 Self-Care Tips for Nourishing Your

Spleen and Stomach
So, how do you stop the cycle of worry, over eating and consequent digestive disturbances?
Regular acupuncture treatments really do work wonders for maintaining digestive heath. In
between sessions, you can improve existing symptoms, and prevent new ones, through selfcare. Here are five tips for nourishing the physiological and emotional aspects of your Spleen
and Stomach:

Sip with spice

Instead of sprinting for the train with your coffee, and spilling as you go, schedule a few extra
minutes in the morning to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Adding cinnamon and ginger to your
brew enhances digestion. If youre a tea drinker, find an herbal blend with ginger, peppermint,
fennel and/or licorice, all of which aid digestion.

Chew slowly
At mealtime, or even while munching on snacks at your desk, be mindful of how you are
chewing your food. Can what youre doing even be described as chewing, or is it more akin to
inhaling? Focus on chewing and do it very slowly. Pay close attention to the texture and flavor of
whats going into your mouth. Make each bite count.

Sit down to eat

Eating on the go is the norm for many of us. However, establishing a routine where eating is
more of a chore than a form of sustenance is detrimental in the long run. Eating should be a
focused, almost meditative experience. Challenge yourself to sit down to all three meals for one
day, then work up to a week, then two. While youre sitting, put away the laptop, close the

magazine, turn off the TV, end the phone call. This time is all about you, the plate in front of you,
and the people seated next to you.

Eat your yellows

Everyone knows dark-green leafy vegetables are good to eat, but we dont hear much about
eating our yellows. Just as all organ systems in acupuncture have an associated emotion, they
also have an associated colorand the color of Spleen and Stomach is yellow. Pay homage to
your inherent yellowness by pairing your greens with some healthy yellows. Examples include
butternut squash, corn, yellow peppers, golden beets and sweet potatoes.

Make plans
Having thoughts is natural. Its when these thoughts become obsessive and unproductive that
they can start doing damage to your Spleen and Stomach. Next time you find yourself worrying
or over thinking about something, challenge yourself to channel it into an action-oriented plan.
Its okay if the plan is as simple as making a to-do list that outlines the steps involved in making
change. Stewing, no matter what its about, will remain fruitless until it becomes a tool for
moving you forward.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Kidney 1
By Sara Calabro
The Why Are You Doing That Point? series is back with a lesser used but very valuable
acupuncture point: Kidney 1.
Kidney 1also known as Gushing Spring (English name), Yongquan (Chinese translation), and
KD1 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the bottom of the foot (see picture below).
Kidney 1 is the only acupuncture point on the bottom of the foot. Since some people are freaked
out at the thought of taking a needle there, many acupuncturists stay clear of needling Kidney 1.

However, Kidney 1 hurts much less than youd expectoften, theres no sensation at all
especially when its needled by a skilled acupuncturist.
Acupuncturists commonly use Kidney 1 as an acupressure point, at either the beginning or end
of a treatment, to help ground a persons energy (more on this below). You can do this yourself.
Because its on the bottom of the foot, Kidney 1 is an easily accessible point for performing selfacupressure.
To find the exact location of Kidney 1, flex your foot down toward the floor. A small depression
forms in the upper middle of the foot, right where the point is located. Given Kidney 1s array of
uses, this is a good spot to know.

Get Out of Your Head

Located on the bottom of the foot, Kidney 1 is the lowest acupuncture point on the entire body.
This relates to the points best-known use, which is to drain excess from the upper part of the
body, especially the head.
In acupuncture terms, we call this excess qi or Wind or Yang, but its actually an intuitive
concept to which Westerners can easily relate.
Its what we mean when we say someone is all in their head. Basically, a whole bunch of
energy, which should be evenly distributed throughout the body, gets concentrated in the head.
This causes us to over think and obsess on things, feel anxious and eventually depressed, and

experience physical symptoms such as insomnia, headaches and migraines, dizziness, and
even poor vision and nosebleeds.
Kidney 1 is a mechanism for dispersing all the stuff that most of us have swimming around in
our heads, preventing us from the emotional calm and physical comfort we crave.

A Natural Insomnia Remedy

Ask most people who suffer from insomnia why they cant sleep and theyll tell you its because
they cant turn off their mind. Kidney 1 to the rescue!
Insomnia caused by relentless ruminating is exactly the type for which Kidney 1 is great.
From an acupuncture perspective, Kidney 1s effectiveness at alleviating insomnia has much to
do with the Kidney systems relationship to the Heart system, a common culprit in sleep
disorders. When the two systems are not communicating properly, emotional symptoms,
including insomnia from over thinking, commonly occur.
Massaging Kidney 1 before you get into bed at night is a great self-care remedy for insomnia.
You can do targeted acupressure directly on the point or generally rub the bottom of your feet
(AcuTake contributor Eric Kerr demonstrates in this video). Whichever method you choose, do
both feet.
Another effective self-care technique for reducing insomnia via Kidney 1 is soaking your feet in
a bowl of warm water before bed. This will help draw down the excess energy that causes your
mind to spin, and you to toss and turn all night.
For peace of mind and restful nights, get to know Kidney 1.
Photo by Sara Calabro
Kidney 1 infographic from A Manual of Acupuncture

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Gall Bladder 34
By Sara Calabro
The Why Are You Doing That Point? series is back, this time with an easily accessible and
broadly useful acupuncture point on the lower leg.

Gall Bladder 34also known as Yanglingquan (Chinese name), Yang Mound Spring (English
translation) and GB34 (acupuncturist lingo)is located just below the knee on the lateral (pinkie
toe) side of the leg (see picture below).
You can find this point by running your finger up the outside of your leg until you hit a bony
prominence. Thats the head of your fibula bone, and Gall Bladder 34 is located just slightly in
front of and below where the bone juts out.
You can press this point yourself to alleviate stiff muscles, tightness along the side of the body,
and to assist your Liver Qi in chilling out. Heres why acupuncturists so often reach for Gall
Bladder 34.

Ease Stiff Muscles and Joints

Classical Chinese medical texts refer to Gall Bladder 34 as the most important point for treating
the sinews. Sinews are tough tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, that connect muscle to
bone and bone to bone.

Gall Bladder 34 is one of the most popular acupuncture points for addressing stiffness, tension
or tightness in the muscles and joints.
This acupuncture point, because of its location, is especially common in treating stiff muscles
and joints in the lower body. Acupuncture treatments for knee pain, calf pain and foot pain are
likely to incorporate this point. Runners who experience Achilles tendinitis, plantar
fasciitis and/or shin splints also will see Gall Bladder 34 show up in their treatments.

Gall Bladder 34s sinew-rejuvenating mechanism is not limited to the legs and feet, however. It
also works for addressing stiff neck and shoulders as well as muscular and joint issues in the
arms and hands. Acupuncture treatments for tennis and golfers elbow, for example, commonly
include Gall Bladder 34.

Does the Side of Your Body Hurt?

Another primary use for Gall Bladder 34 is pain or a sense of fullness on the side of the body,
especially around the chest and rib area. Heres why:
All meridians have whats known as a he-sea point, a point located near the knee or elbow. Hesea points are points of connection, where the more distal parts of the body (the extremities)
start to merge with the inner core (the trunk and organs).
Gall Bladder 34 is the he-sea point of the Gall Bladder meridian, which runs along the side of
the body. This means that Gall Bladder 34, more than other points on the Gall Bladder meridian,
has a direct effect on the middle body along the channel. This generally means the side of the
body around the ribs.

Your Liver Qi Loves Gall Bladder 34

Since Gall Bladder 34 resolves tension and tightness along the side of the upper body, its a
frequent go-to in treatments for an extremely common pattern among stressed-out Westerners
Liver Qi Stagnation.
Liver is the system thats responsible for smooth flow throughout the body. As such, its the
system most directly affected by things that cause us to tense upemotional stress, rigid
posture, not breathing deeply enough, jaw clenching, etc. When things arent flowing smoothly,
we start to experience what acupuncturists think of as stagnation-type symptoms.
Stagnation-type symptoms include pain, and specifically pain that feels like pressure, distension
or restriction. Among others, including frustration and irritability, a signature characteristic of
Liver Qi Stagnation is a feeling of pressure or stuckness on the sides of the upper body.
In acupuncture, each organ system is paired with another, and Livers paired system is Gall
Bladder. This means that acupuncture points on the Gall Bladder channel can directly impact
Liver-related issues. So, Gall Bladder 34because of its relationship to Liver, its

location, and its designation as a he-sea pointis commonly included in treatments for Liver Qi
Stagnation.
Given how widespread Liver Qi Stagnation is today, Gall Bladder 34 is a great acupressure
point to have in your self-care tool box, to use in between acupuncture treatments.
Next on Why Are You Doing That Point? is Kidney 1. Read it now

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Large Intestine 11
By Sara Calabro
This installment of Why Are You Doing That Point? will focus on Large Intestine 11. The
point is considered one of the most vital acupuncture points throughout the body due to its wide
range of indications.
Large Intestine 11also known as Quchi (Chinese name), Pool at the Crook (English
translation) and LI11 (acupuncturist lingo)is located at the lateral (thumb side) edge of the
elbow crease (see picture below).

Use the Pool to Cool

When I was in acupuncture school, I made up random rhymes and mnemonic devices to
remember functions of acupuncture points. The one I used for Large Intestine 11 was use the
pool to cool.

Meaning, use Pool at the Crook to cool people off. The best-known use for Large Intestine 11 is
to clear heat.

Large Intestine 11 is a go-to point for reducing fevers. In addition, the point is called upon for
many other symptoms that, from an acupuncture perspective, stem from excessive heat. These
include sore throat, red and itchy eyes, rashes, hypertension, excessive thirst, toothaches and
some headaches.
For heat-related symptoms that occur in the lower body, Large Intestine 11 usually is combined
with points on other meridians that transverse the legs. For example, Large Intestine 11, along
with one or more points along the Spleen channel, is used to address heavy menstrual
bleeding, typically considered a heat sign. For constipation due to heat and dryness, Large
Intestine 11 might be combined with Stomach 36.

Upper Limb Protector

After heat clearing, addressing upper limb problems is the most common use for Large Intestine
11.
The Large Intestine channel starts at the index finger and runs up the arm to the face, where it
ends just outside the nostril. The bulk of the channel resides on the arm. With the exception
of Large Intestine 4, Large Intestine 11 is considered the most powerful point for resolving
issues along the Large Intestine channel, especially on the elbow and shoulder.
People suffering from tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis),
elbow arthritis, and any other kind of elbow pain are sure to get Large Intestine 11. Rotator cuff
syndrome, frozen shoulder, and other types of shoulder problems can be helped by the point as
well. Certain forms of carpal tunnel may also improve with Large Intestine 11 since its located
near the forearm extensor muscles, which are often involved in wrist pain.

Boost Your Immunity

Although it is not traditionally known for its immune-boosting properties, Large Intestine 11 is
sometimes used preventively to help battle colds and flus, and other immune-compromising
conditions.
In fact, one well-known style of Japanese acupuncture (Kiiko Matsumotos) considers Large
Intestine 11 to be the master immune point in the body. Its actually a point that falls just slightly
below and outside Large Intestine 11. The exact location is determined according to the
patients sensitivity in that area. The most sensitive spot is usually the most effective when
treated.

Even when there are no signs of heat or problems in the upper limbs, I often include Large
Intestine 11 (or the closest sensitive spot) in my treatments this time of year, when we can all
use an immunity boost. If you feel cold or flu symptoms coming on, try feeling around the area
of Large Intestine 11 until you hit a sensitive spot. Press, massage and repeat.
Next on Why Are You Doing That Point? is Gallbladder 34.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Pericardium 6
By Sara Calabro
This edition of Why Are You Doing That Point?, an ongoing series that explains popular
acupuncture points, will look at Pericardium 6.
Pericardium 6also known as Neiguan (Chinese name), Inner Pass (English translation) and
PC6 or just P6 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the inside of the wrist. Its roughly two finger
breadths up from the wrist crease, between the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis
tendons (see picture below).
When needled, Pericardium 6, since the median nerve is directly beneath it, can produce a mild
shock-like sensation that extends down into the fingers. This usually goes away after the initial
zap but many people report feeling a continuous vibrating sensation for as long as the needle is
retained.
Pericardium 6 is chosen for two primary reasons: nausea and chest-area discomfort.

Motion Sickness Bracelets Take a Cue from

Acupuncture
You know those motion sickness bracelets? They are designed to apply pressure to Pericardium
6, whose best-known function is relieving nausea.

Pericardium 6 is appropriate for all kinds of nauseacaused by motion sickness, pregnancy,

stress and anxiety, food poisoning, or stomach bugs. Its also used for nausea as a side effect of
chemotherapy and radiation treatments, one of the few instances in which Western medicine
generally admits to acupuncture being effective. Pericardium 6 is included in many of the clinical
trials that look at acupuncture for this use.
Because of its ability to soothe the stomach, Pericardium 6 also is used when someone
complains of vomiting, excessive hiccups or borborygmus (stomach grumbling), and abdominal
pain or distention.
Pericardium 6 is an easy point to access yourself, which makes it really handy for those
uncomfortable moments when your stomach starts turning in public. Just apply firm pressure to
the area above your wrist. To make sure youre getting it, place your whole thumb across the
width of the inner wrist while supporting the back of the wrist with your other fingers.

PC6 Can Help You Get It Off Your Chest

The other main indication for Pericardium 6 is chest pain or tightness, including heart
palpitations, shortness of breath, and feelings of nervousness or fluttering in the upper body.

Before we go any further, lets be clear: If you have chest pain, your first stop should be to
the ER, not the acupuncturist. Only after cardiac problems are ruled out should you start
thinking about Pericardium 6 as a therapy for symptoms in the chest area.

The Pericardium meridian begins at the chest, with the first point on the meridian falling just
outside of the nipple(see picture at left). The points that fall farther down the channel are used to
affect the starting end of the channel. Pericardium 6 is considered the most powerful point along
the Pericardium channel for influencing the chest region.
This is a great point for reducing anxiety thats accompanied by heart pounding or palpitations,
or shortness of breath. Squeezing Pericardium 6 while taking some deep breaths has helped
me through more than a few tense moments.
Pericardium 6s affect on anxiety also makes it a popular point for reducing
insomnia. Insomnia in acupuncture is typically thought of as an imbalance in the Heart system,
and the Pericardium channel indirectly affects disorders of the Heart. Since many people have
insomnia due to anxiety, Pericardium 6 is a sensible choice. Try it next time youre lying awake.
Next on Why Are You Doing That Point? is Large Intestine 11.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Yintang
By Sara Calabro
Here comes the latest installment of Why Are You Doing That Point?, an ongoing series
that explains popular acupuncture points. This time well look at Yintang.
Yintang is considered an extra point, meaning it does not correspond with any specific
acupuncture meridian. There are several extra points throughout the body, but Yintang is unique
in that it does actually fall along a meridianthe Governing Vesselyet its not considered part
of that meridian. The reasons for this are unknown.
Yintang, whose English translation is Hall of Impression, is its own entity. Its a single point
located between the eyebrows, just below the area known as the third eye (see below).

Acupunctures Chill Pill

The most common use for Yintang in modern acupuncture clinics is to calm the mind.
Acupuncturists choose it for people who complain of anxiety and related symptoms, such as
insomnia due to over thinking.

Yintang alleviates whats sometimes referred to as monkey mind, the non-stop emotional
treadmill on which many of us find ourselves. Unsettled, agitated, anxious about things we cant
control, mind spinning, unable to focusthats monkey mind. Yintang takes the edge off this
kind of emotional restlessness and anxiety.
This acupuncture point causes you to chill out.
For this reason, Yintang is frequently called upon for acupuncture goers who are nervous about
needles. Anxiety around needles has a tendency to peak upon assuming the position on the
acupuncture table. Starting a treatment with Yintang can be a great way to calm a person down,
paving the way for greater receptivity to the remaining points.

Yintang Benefits the Outer Head, Too

Yintangs benefits are not limited to whats going on inside your head. This acupuncture point is
used for anything head and face-related, especially issues with the nose.
People suffering from stuffiness, post-nasal drip, sinus congestion and nosebleeds are likely
candidates for Yintang. The point also is used for eye disorders as well as frontal headaches,
dizziness and vertigo.
Due to its calming function and accessible location, Yintang compliments almost any
acupuncture treatment or self-care acupressure regimen.
For pain conditions, try pressing Yintang in combination with Large Intestine 4. This will be
especially helpful for pain on the head or face because Large Intestine 4 is on a meridian that
travels to that region. For anxiety and related conditions such as insomnia, press Yintang on its
own using firm pressure.
In the next installment of Why Are You Doing That Point? we look at Pericardium 6. Read it
now.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Stomach 36
By Sara Calabro

Welcome to the second installment of Why Are You Doing That Point? This ongoing series
explains the locations and common uses of popular acupuncture points.
Last time we looked at Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, two points that frequently come together in
a combination called Four Gates.
This time well look at Stomach 36.
Stomach 36also known as Zusanli (Chinese name), Leg Three Mile (English translation) and
ST36 (acupuncturist lingo)is located on the shin. Its found about a hand length below the
patella, just outside the prominent tibia bone (see picture below). Having this point needled
often produces a strong sensation that sometimes travels down the leg.

Stomach Doesnt Necessarily Mean

Digestion
When curious patients inquire about this point and learn its name, they often assume its for
digestive problems. Stomach 36 is indeed one of the most commonly used points for pretty
much any digestive issue you can think of. For everything from constipation to diarrhea to
heartburn to nausea to hiccups, Stomach 36 is a likely choice.
However, Stomach 36 is used for an extremely wide variety of ailments, many of which have
nothing to do with what we traditionally think of as stomach problems.
Even more than as a digestive aid, Stomach 36 is known primarily for its ability to invigorate.

Feeling zapped of energy? Unusually tired? Your acupuncturist is most likely going to use
Stomach 36. If Liver 3 is the go-to moving point, Stomach 36 is the go-to boosting point.

Clues Can Be Found In the Sea

In acupuncture, each meridian has an assigned he-sea point. Stomach 36 is the he-sea point on
the Stomach meridian, which is one way of understanding the points role as an energy booster.
The Chinese character known as he refers to connecting or uniting. All he-sea points are
located near the knees and elbows. They are points of connection, where the more distal parts
of the body (the extremities) start to merge with the inner core (the trunk and organs).
Stomach 36 draws energy into the bodys internal reservoir, the sea.
But if all he-sea points are connectors, what makes Stomach 36 so special?

and In the Earth

Without getting into too much detail, all meridians have an associated elementFire, Earth,
Metal, Water or Woodand select points along those meridians also are associated with
elements. These points are known as the transporting points. They are considered the
meridians most powerful points. Acupuncturists use them over and over again.

All elements are important. Earth, however, plays a central role. It feeds the other elements. In
one way or another, Earth influences and is influenced by all elements.
For this reason, Stomach, because its element is Earth, is critical to the functioning of all other
systems. Furthermore, Stomach 36 is an Earth point. So Stomach 36 is what acupuncturists call
Earth-on-Earthan Earth point on an Earth meridian.
This makes Stomach 36 doubly valuable in its ability to produce systemic effects. More
specifically, because Earthin the same way we think of the earthis the nourishing, life-giving
element, Stomach 36 is loaded with vitalizing properties. It feeds the body.

The Real Question Is, What Cant ST36

Help?
Considering Stomach 36s Earthiness, it makes sense that the point is used so broadly.
From an acupuncture perspective, so many ailmentsparticularly in the West, where weve
mastered the art of overworking ourselves to the point of complete exhaustionstem from an
underlying deficiency. The answer to much of what plagues us is nourishment.
In addition to the digestive disorders mentioned above, Stomach 36 is commonly used to treat
fatigue, dizziness, hypertension, tinnitus, depression, generalized pain, paralysis, chest fullness
and palpitations, shortness of breath, chills and fever, urinary tract infections, and many other
things.
We all need food.
Next up on Why Are You Doing That Point? is Governing Vessel 20. Read it now.

Why Are You Doing That Point?

Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4
By Sara Calabro
Acupuncture devotees are dying to know: Why are you doing that point? It is one of the most
common questions that acupuncturists receive during treatments.
This is the first installment of an ongoing series that explains popular acupuncture points.

The logic behind choosing points varies. Certain acupuncture styles recommend points for
unique reasons. Even within the same style, many points have more than one indication. Some
points can substitute for others in cases where, for example, a needle-sensitive person prefers
being stuck elsewhere. Other points can be left out or added based on the overall combination.
Recognizing that there are variations and exceptions, certain acupuncture points are used with
a relative amount of uniformity. Across styles, they are known to be especially powerful in their
effects. As a result, acupuncturists use them a lot. If youre a regular acupuncture goer, youll
probably recognize them.
This inaugural article of the Why Are You Doing That Point? series is a twofer. Well look at
Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4, two points that are popular in their own right and also frequently
needled together in a combination called Four Gates.

Liver 3 Gets Things Moving

Liver 3also known as Taichong (Chinese name), Great Rushing (English translation) and LV3
(acupuncturist lingo)is located on the foot, between the first and second toes.
Liver 3 is whats known as a source point. Every meridian has one. Source points behave sort of
like central stations on subway lines. They are hubs where internal and external energies gather
and transform. They are single, high-concentration points that grant access to the larger system.

Because Liver 3 has such far-reaching effects, it is indicated for a very wide variety of
conditions. John Pirog, in The Practical Application of Meridian Style Acupuncture, says Liver 3
is probably the most important point for stagnation of the inner body.
Liver 3 is used for menstrual cramps, headaches, vision problems, coastal-region pain and
shortness of breath, low back pain, insomnia, and more. The list truly goes on and on. Feeling
stuck? Hello, Liver 3. This point gets things moving.
Liver 3s extensive effects are palpable. Needling it usually causes a strong achy sensation,
either locally at the site of insertion, throughout the entire foot, or sometimes even up into the
leg along the Liver meridian.
If youve had acupuncture, youve probably had Liver 3. If you havent yet, consider it inevitable.

Large Intestine 4 Is a Great Bang for Your

Buck

Large Intestine 4also known as Hegu (Chinese name), Joining Valley (English Translation)
and LI4 (acupunk lingo)is located on the hand, in the web between the thumb and index
finger.
Large Intestine 4, like Liver 3, is a fantastic bang for your buck. If you think about the location,
between the first and second fingers, its basically the upper-body version of Liver 3, which is
located between the first and second fingers on the lower body.

Large Intestine 4 is a source point as well. It is indicated for a wide variety of conditions and also
tends to cause a strong needling sensation.
Probably the best-known use of Large Intestine 4 is to release the exterior. This refers to
treating what are known as Wind conditionschills and fever, runny nose, headaches, stiff
upper back and neck, too much or too little sweating, sore throat, dizziness, etc. Large Intestine
4 is the go-to point for these types of symptoms. It is thought to disperse the Wind and also
bolster the bodys defenses against recurrence.
Other common indications for Large Intestine 4 include toothache, sinusitis, rhinitis, nosebleeds
and Bells Palsy. This is because the Large Intestine meridian travels up to the face, so almost
any symptom related to that region calls for the point.
In addition to these common uses, Large Intestine 4 is used in treatments for everything from
constipation to skin disease to low back pain.
Note: Large Intestine 4 is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Another note: Heres a great product for applying acupressure to Large Intestine 4.

Four Acupuncture Points Are Better Than

One
Liver 3 and Large Intestine 4 are often used together. Each point is done on both sides of the
body, creating a four-point combination known as Four Gates. This is one of the most frequently
used point combinations in all of acupuncture.
There are many theories associated with Four Gates but the prevailing idea is that the
combination opens up circulation throughout the entire body. Liver 3 handles the lower half
while Large Intestine 4 addresses the upper. Together, they pack a powerful punch.
Four Gates usually tackles symptoms caused by stagnation. This includes pain as well as
menstrual irregularities, constipation, or feelings of frustrationbasically anything that suggests
things arent flowing as smoothly as they should be.