Acupressure Points to Treat Swelling,

Water Retention, and Edema

Edema is a type of swelling caused by water and excess fluid retention

in the body’s tissues including the skin and it mainly occurs in the
hands, arms, legs, feet and ankles. Edema is caused when the capillaries
leak fluid into the surrounding tissues which cause the area to swell. It
could be due to capillary damage or increase pressure in capillaries. In
certain cases, Edema may be a symptom of other serious diseases like
kidney disease, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure which requires serious
medical attention. Other benign cases of water retention and swelling
such as premenstrual bloating, puffiness due to congestion can be healed
with the help of acupressure therapy.

Causes of Edema or Fluid Retention in

the Body
There are a number of factors that can lead to fluid retention and
swelling of the body.
  Physical inactivity
 Standing or sitting in one place for long periods
 Post-surgery side-effect
 High altitudes
 Heat combined with physical exertion
 Hormones released during pregnancy
 Fluctuation in hormone levels during menstrual cycle
 Use of contraceptive pills or medications containing estrogen
 Menopause
 Excessive salt intake
 Low levels of vitamin B1, B6 and B5 in diet

10 Powerful Acupressure Points for Swelling,

Water Retention, and Edema Treatment
According to ancient Chinese medicine and acupressure therapy, Edema
or swelling due to water retention is caused due to weakness in the
spleen and kidney meridians. These particular pressure points can be
stimulated to restore the proper level of water in the body and cure
water retention successfully.

SP 3

Acupressure point SP3 or Spleen 3 is the most important point in

acupressure treatment for water retention cure. This point is known as
the Supreme Whiteness, and it is situated on the inside of the foot, in the
hollow in between the big tone and the metatarsal bone, on the side of
the foot.
This point can be stimulated on both feet by applying steady pressure
using the thumbs and fingertips for 1 minute. It helps to nourish the
spleen meridian, relieve Edema, water retention, swelling and nausea. It
also aids to relieve gastric pain, digestive problems, heart pain and
heaviness and lassitude experienced in the lower body.

KD6

Acupressure point KD 6 or Kidney 6 is a potent pressure point for

treating swelling and water retention in body and it shows prompt
results. This point is called the Shining Sea, and it is situated on the
inside of the ankle, one chon below the inside of the anklebone, in the
hollow.
This point can be activated in both legs by applying firm and steady
pressure to the points using the thumbs for 1 minute. It provides
complete relief from water retention and Edema. It also helps to cure
sore throat, digestive disorders, menstrual problems, eye problems, and
epilepsy. This point nourishes the kidneys, clears the heat and calms the
Shen.

CV6

CV 6 or Conception Vessel 6 is another potent acupressure point that is

extensively used for Edema treatment. This point is called the Sea of
Energy, and it is situated two finger widths directly below the belly

button.

This point should be activated with great care. Place the fingertips of
both hands between the belly button and pubic bone, in the lower
abdominal area and gradually press one to two inches deep in the
abdomen which taking long deep breaths for 2 minutes. It helps to
relieve water retention, swelling, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and gas.
It is also a significant point for women’s health issues like menstrual
problems and hernia and male problems like impotence and seminal
emission.

SP9

SP 9 or Spleen 9 is a powerful acupressure point for swelling treatment

that provides complete relief from water retention. This point is called
the Shady Side of the Mountain and it is found on the inner side of the
leg, below the knee and under the large bulge of the bone.

This point can be stimulated on both legs by applying firm and strong
pressure on the points using the knuckles for 1 minute. It helps to relieve
swelling, water retention, bloating, cramps, knee pain, leg tension and
painful varicose veins. It is an important point for treatment of jaundice
and hepatitis, yeast infections and candida and male problems.

KD2

KD 2 or Kidney 2 is yet another powerful point of acupuncture and

acupressure for water retention and swelling. This point is known as the
Blazing Valley, and it is situated in the middle of the arch of the foot, at
the midpoint between the outer tip of the big toe and the back of the
heel.

This point can be activated in both feet by applying strong and steady
pressure to the points using the thumbs for 1 minute. It helps the relieve
water retention and swollen feet. It helps to clear excess heat and aids to
cure sore throat, post-menopausal problems, menstrual problems,
diabetes and male impotence.

SP6

SP 6 or Spleen 6 is a powerful acupressure point for treatment of water

retention in the body that provides effective results. This point is also
known as the Three Yin Crossing, and it is located four finger widths
over the inner ankle bone, on the back inner border of the shinbone.
This point can be activated on both the legs by applying steady pressure
while holding the point with the thumbs and fingers for 1 minute. It
relieves water retention, Edema and swelling. It also aids to cure
menstrual problems, male impotence, digestive disorders, skin
diseases, headache, dizziness and insomnia. This point should not be
stimulated during the 8th and 9th month of pregnancy.

UB40

UB 40 or Urinary Bladder 40 is one of the most important acupressure

points for treatment of Edema feet or swelling of feet. This point is
called the Middle of the Crook, and it can be found in the middle of the
transverse crease of the popliteal fossa, in between the tendons of
muscle biceps femoris and muscle semitendinosus.
This point can be activated on both legs by applying firm pressure using
the thumbs, fingers, palms and knuckles for 1 to 2 minutes. It is a potent
point for pain in the lower leg, arthritis pain, fever, hair fall, lower back
pain, abdominal pain, digestive problems, viral and bacterial infections.

UB 55

UB 55 or Urinary Bladder 55 is another important acupressure point

which is especially useful for relieving leg swelling and water retention
in the legs. This point is also known as the Yang Union, and it can be
located on the back side of the lower leg, 2 cun below UB40, on the line
joining points UB40 and UB57. It is a local point for treatment of lower
leg pain, knee pain, lumbar stiffness, numbness and weakness in the
lower legs and hernia. It also activates the meridian and relieves male
problems.
UB 56

UB 56 or Urinary Bladder 56 is a useful acupressure point that works as

one of the natural remedies for water retention cure. This point is termed
the Sinew Point, and it is situated on the back side of the lower leg, 5
cun below the point UB 40, on the line joining the points UB40 and
UB57, right in the middle of the muscle gastrocnemius. This point can
be activated on both feet by applying strong pressure on the point using
the middle finger and index finger for 1 minute. It not only alleviates
water retention, swelling and Edema but also treats hemorrhoids, leg
pain, spasms, heel and foot pain in a successful manner.

UB 57

The final acupressure point in the list of pressure points for treating
water retention in body and feet is UB 57 or Urinary Bladder 57. This
point is called the Mountain Support, and it can be found on the back
side of the lower leg, between the points UB 40 and UB 60 when the toe
is extended straight. Thing point can be activated on both legs by
applying strong and firm pressure to the points using the knuckles for 1
minute. It helps to cure water retention, swelling bloating and Edema
long with hemorrhoids, digestive problems, spasms and pain in the
lower leg, paralysis and neurological disorders.

So, now that you know the precise acupressure points that should be
used to treat bloating and swelling caused by water retention, stimulate
them every time you feel bloated in order to flush out toxins from the
system and restore fluid balance in the body.