The 14 Best Acupressure Points for Healing on the Human Body

Dan refers to the opaque white substance that surrounds the heart, and Trung means the middle. The Dan Trung point is located between the two breasts, near the heart area.

Benefits: Helps relieve chest pain, asthma, low milk production, and weak breathing.

How to locate: Find the intersection of the vertical line along the sternum and the horizontal line passing through the top edge of the 5th rib cartilage.

Wei refers to the back of the knee, and Zhong means the center. The Wei Zhong point is located at the center of the knee crease.

Benefits: This point is essential for treating lower back pain through acupuncture or acupressure. It also helps alleviate knee pain, sciatic nerve pain, lower limb paralysis, nausea, and fever.

How to locate: The point is located at the midpoint of the knee crease.

Lie refers to separation, and Que refers to a depression – the point is located in the hollow area above the wrist.

Benefits: This point is specifically used for relieving neck and shoulder pain, especially toothaches.

How to locate: There are two ways to locate this point: From the wrist crease, measure one finger-width up along the outer side of the radius. Alternatively, create an 'X' shape with your thumb and index finger from both hands, placing the tip of your index finger over the raised end of the radius bone. The spot where your index finger presses against the radius is the point, which will feel slightly indented.

Note: Apply firm pressure with your thumb perpendicular to the wrist, holding for 5-10 seconds. A tingling or numbness sensation indicates correct pressure.

The name of this point can be understood in two ways:

• One legend suggests that stimulating the Zu San Li point helps soldiers walk more than 3 miles (over 5 km) without fatigue.
• Another interpretation is that Zu San Li is the meeting point of three organs: the large intestine (above), the stomach (middle), and the small intestine (below), which is why it's called 'Three Li'.

Benefits: This point strengthens the body's overall health and can treat conditions in the upper and middle abdominal regions, such as stomach pain, poor digestion, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, mastitis, knee pain, lower limb paralysis, numbness, swelling, and fever.

How to locate: The point is located 3 inches below the depression outside the kneecap, one finger-width away from the shinbone.

Nei means 'inside,' and Guan refers to a 'gate' or 'barrier' – the Nei Guan point is an important internal gate for healing.

Benefits: This point is primarily used to treat chest-related issues such as pain in the heart area, intercostal neuralgia, and shortness of breath. Additionally, it can help with insomnia, stomach pain, and premature ejaculation.

How to locate: From the wrist, measure two finger-widths up. Two finger-widths are roughly equivalent to the width of three fingers: index, middle, and ring fingers. You can also use the image as a reference for easier identification.

Note: For treating premature ejaculation, apply stronger pressure and press for 2 minutes per session. Repeat this process twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, for optimal results.

Zhang means obstruction, and Men refers to an opening – Zhang Men is the meeting point of the internal organs and the gateway through which the energy of the five organs enters and exits.

Benefits: This point is effective for treating nausea, diarrhea, side pain, upper abdominal discomfort, hiccups, mastitis, and asthma.

How to locate: The point is located at the end of the 11th rib. To locate it, have the patient lie on their side for easier access.

Tui means the point of termination, and Gu refers to bone – Tui Gu is a point located on the shinbone, where the long and short muscles create an indentation, signifying a termination point. It is also the meeting point for the spinal cord.

Benefits: This point is used to treat paralysis on one side of the body, neck stiffness (torticollis), sciatic nerve pain, intercostal nerve pain, migraines, lower limb paralysis, knee pain, and numbness.

How to locate: Measure 3 cun above the outer edge of the ankle bone. The point is located in the depression just behind the fibula bone.

Yang refers to the outer side, Ling means resembling the shape of a cheekbone, and Quan refers to a spring – Yang Ling Quan is a point located in the depression just below the fibula. It is the meeting point for tendons, or simply put, ligaments.

Benefits: This point helps treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, swollen and painful knees, tight hamstrings, sciatica, side pain, lower limb paralysis, and stomach pain caused by worms in the bile duct.

How to locate: It is located 1 cun below the knee, in the depression just above the top of the fibula bone.

This point is located in the hollows of the hand, resembling the place where two areas meet, hence the name He Gu. It is commonly used to treat conditions affecting the head, face, mouth, and teeth, such as tinnitus, headaches, toothaches, and mouth pain.

How to locate: Place the second knuckle of the thumb from one hand over the space between the thumb and index finger of the other hand (the hollow). The point is located where the thumb touches, slightly toward the index finger.

Important Note: This point should not be pressed during pregnancy. It is best to perform the acupressure while lying down.

Da means a very high position, and Zhi refers to storing the bones. This point is associated with the bones.

Benefits: It is highly effective for treating headaches and shoulder and neck pain. It can also help alleviate fever and coughing.

How to locate: From the middle of the space between the first and second vertebrae (D1 and D2), measure 1.5 cun horizontally outward. 1.5 cun is approximately the width of 3 fingers placed together—index, middle, and ring fingers.

The term 'Tai' means very, and 'Yuan' means deep. Tai Yuan is a very deep point located on the wrist when the hand is slightly bent toward the forearm.

Benefits: It is effective for treating cough, asthma, sore throat, and radial nerve pain. It is especially beneficial for conditions involving bleeding, such as coughing up blood, as Tai Yuan is associated with the vessels.

How to locate: With your palm facing up and slightly bending the hand, the point is found at the deepest wrist crease, just inside the radial artery.

'Ge' refers to the diaphragm, and 'Du' means to enter - Ge Du is the point that allows energy to flow deep into the diaphragm. It is a key point related to the blood vessels.

Benefits: It is used to treat flank pain, nosebleeds, epilepsy, conjunctivitis, high blood pressure, and gastritis.

How to locate: From the space between the seventh and eighth thoracic vertebrae (D7 and D8), measure 1.5 cun horizontally outward.

The term 'Zhong' means middle, and 'Guan' means tube - Zhong Guan refers to the middle of the stomach tube. It is a key point related to the organs, commonly understood as the internal organs.

Benefits: It helps treat bloating, stomach pain, acid reflux, nausea, abdominal distention, diarrhea, dysentery, and high blood pressure.

How to locate: This point is found at the midpoint between the belly button and the point where the two sides of the ribs meet.

Note: When performing acupuncture, insert the needle at a slanted angle. For moxibustion, apply the moxa for 15 to 30 minutes.

San Yin Jiao is the point where the three Yin meridians meet: the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney.

Benefits: Primarily used to treat lower abdominal issues such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, heavy periods, nocturnal enuresis, functional urinary retention, and nocturnal emissions.

How to locate: From the highest point of the inner ankle, measure 3 inches straight up along the tibia, and place your finger just behind the tibia bone to find the point.