5 Pressure Points for Sleep

Overview
Insomnia is a fairly common sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Having insomnia prevents many
people from getting the seven to nine hours of sleep per night that experts recommend.

Some people experience short periods of insomnia for a few days or weeks, while others have insomnia for months at a time.

Regardless of how often you have insomnia, acupressure may provide some relief. Acupressure involves using physical touch to
stimulate pressure points that correspond to different aspects of physical and mental health.

While you can have acupressure done by a professional, you can also try stimulating pressure points on your own. Read on to
learn five pressure points you can try and find out more about the science behind using acupressure for sleep.

1. Spirit gate
The spirit gate point is located at the crease on your outer wrist, below your pinkie finger.
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To treat insomnia:

1. Feel for the small, hollow space in this area and apply gentle pressure in a circular or up-and-down movement.
2. Continue for two to three minutes.
3. Hold the left side of the point with gentle pressure for a few seconds, and then hold the right side.
4. Repeat on the same area of your other wrist.

Stimulating this pressure point is associated with quieting your mind, which can help you fall asleep.

2. Three yin intersection

The three yin intersection point is located on your inner leg, just above your ankle.
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To treat insomnia:

1. Locate the highest point on your ankle.

2. Count four finger widths up your leg, above your ankle.
3. Apply deep pressure slightly behind your biggest lower-leg bone (tibia), massaging with circular or up-and-down motions for
four to five seconds.

In addition to helping with insomnia, simulating this pressure point can also help with pelvic disorders and menstrual cramps.

Don’t use this pressure point if you’re pregnant, as it’s also associated with inducing labor.

3. Bubbling spring
The bubbling spring point is located on the sole of your foot. It’s the small depression that appears just above the middle of your
foot when your curl your toes inward.
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To treat insomnia:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent so you can reach your feet with your hands.
2. Take one foot in your hand and curl your toes.
3. Feel for the depression on the sole of your foot.
4. Apply firm pressure and massage this point for a few minutes using circular or up-and-down motion.

Stimulating this pressure point is believed to ground your energy and induce sleep.

4. Inner frontier gate

The inner frontier gate point is found on your inner forearm between two tendons.
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To ease insomnia:

1. Turn your hands over so that your palms are facing up.
2. Take one hand and count three finger widths down from your wrist crease.
3. Apply a steady downward pressure between the two tendons in this location.
4. Use a circular or up-and-down motion to massage the area for four to five seconds.

In addition to helping you sleep, the inner frontier gate point is associated with soothing nausea, stomach pain, and headaches.

5. Wind pool
The wind pool point is located on the back of your neck. You can find it by feeling for the mastoid bone behind your ears and
following the groove around to where your neck muscles attach to the skull.
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To treat insomnia:

1. Clasp your hands together and gently open your palms with your fingers interlocked to create a cup shape with your hands.
2. Use your thumbs to apply a deep and firm pressure toward your skull, using circular or up-and-down movements to
massage this area for four to five seconds.
3. Breathe deeply as you massage the area.

Stimulating this pressure point may help to reduce respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, which often interrupt sleep.

The Acupoints Related to Stomach Ache and Abdominal

Issues
There are several pressure points that are related to the abdominal
region. Applying acupressure to these points can help you to
relieve the stomach pain caused by various abdominal issues.
Union Valley (LI-04)

Image credit: Modern Reflexology

This acupoint is located on the web between the index finger and
the thumb. Applying acupressure to it improves overall intestinal
function, relieves abdominal pain, regulates diarrhea and
constipation, and even helps to fight dysentery.
Inner Gate (PC-6)
Image credit: Explore IM
This acupoint is located approximately three fingers above the wrist
crease on the inner side of the arm. Massage it with your thumb to
relieve stomach ache, indigestion, nausea, morning sickness,
vomiting, and even reduce anxiety.
Crooked Pond (LI-11)
Image credit: Modern Reflexology
You can find this acupoint on the side of the elbow, on the outer
side of the arm. You need to bend your forearm toward your neck,
and locate the end of the crease at the elbow, about halfway up the
side of the arm. Stimulating it helps with abdominal pain, diarrhea,
and constipation.

Leg Three Miles (ST-36)

Image credit: Smarter Healing
You can find this acupoint four fingers below the bottom knee cap,
along the outer boundary of your shin bone. If you are at the right
spot, you should feel a muscle pop up as you move your foot up
and down. Stimulating this acupoint soothes stomach aches,
stomach cramps, promotes healthy digestion, and helps in the
treatment of stomach disorders.

Grandfather-Grandson (SP-4)
Image credit: Modern Reflexology
This acupoint is located on the inside of the foot three finger widths
behind the base of the big toe. Stimulating it helps to relieve
stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, gassiness, and other
abdominal diseases.

Bigger Rushing (LV-3)

Image credit: Modern Reflexology

 You can find this acupoint between the big toe and the second toe.
Place your finger at the webbing and slide back one inch. You
should be able to feel between the two bones. This point helps with
relieving abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and with improving gall-
bladder health.
How to Use Acupressure to Relieve Stomach Aches
Once you have familiarized yourself with the locations of the
acupoints, it is time to start applying pressure properly.
1. Place your finger on the acupoint and apply gentle pressure,
just enough to move the skin.
2. Start moving the finger slowly and gently in circles.
3. Increase the pressure gradually with every few circles, allowing
the muscle fibers to relax. If you are massaging an area without a
muscle, keep applying slow, steady, downward, circular pressure.
4. You should feel a dull, aching sensation. However, do not go to
the extent of pain - stay within your comfort zone. Apply the
acupressure for at least a minute.
5. If you do not feel the effect immediately, repeat the procedure
after several minutes.
A Word of Caution
Acupressure can be a very useful tool if used with caution and on
healthy tissue. However do not use it as a replacement for medical
treatment. Some stomach aches may point to serious conditions
that require immediate medical care.
Avoid using acupressure if:
 The acupoint is under scar tissue;
 There are varicose veins;
 There is a wound, swelling, or other damage;
 You have rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, or spinal injury; or
 You are pregnant (as certain acupoints may provoke
contractions).
We also suggest that you consult an acupressure specialist before
starting any self-treatment.
How an Acupressure Mat Can Help with Stomach Pain

Acupressure mats are designed to provide deep pressure to

acupoints when you lie or stand on them. The effects from an
acupressure mat are similar, if not as effective, to those of manual
acupressure, and it is recommended that you use them for at least
5-10 minutes at a time.
The risk with using an acupressure mat is the randomness involved
in the treatment. This is because an acupressure mat will inevitably
stimulate different pressure points, which can be taxing on the
body. This effect, however, is quickly evened out.
Furthermore, people with thin skin or poor circulation (such as the
elderly or diabetic) should avoid using them, as the pressure may
pierce the skin and cause infections.
In other cases, acupressure mats are safe and can provide great
comfort and pain relief.
If you are interested in using acupressure for stomach pain and
abdominal issues and are looking for a high-quality, long lasting
acupressure mat made of eco-friendly material, check out
the acupressure mat by Dosha Mat.