Introduction
That sudden sensation when you stand up where the world spins around, the anxiety of feeling like the room is shaking all night long. Dizziness is a distressing symptom that disrupts daily life. Many people suffer from persistent dizziness even though hospital tests show no particular abnormalities. Traditional Chinese medicine views this kind of dizziness as something that can be relieved through acupressure on specific acupoints.
5 Effective Acupoints for Dizziness
1. Zusanli (足三里) — ST36
Location: Three cun (approximately 10cm) below the knee, on the outer front of the shinbone, one thumb-width to the lateral side. You can find it by going down from the depression on the outer side of the knee.
Benefits: It strengthens stomach function and improves digestion, helping to boost overall stamina. It’s especially effective when experiencing dizziness along with fatigue.
Acupressure Technique: Sit in a chair with your legs extended and apply vertical pressure to Zusanli with your thumb. Press firmly for 10 seconds, then rest for 2 seconds. Repeat this 3-5 times.
2. Sanyinjiao (三陰交) — SP6
Location: Three cun (approximately 10cm) above the tip of the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone), on the back of the inner surface of the shinbone. As you go up along the inner side of the shin, you’ll find it in the depression behind the protruding bone.
Benefits: It improves blood circulation and increases oxygen supply to the brain, directly helping to relieve vertigo. It’s also effective for dizziness caused by hormonal imbalances in women.
Acupressure Technique: Place one leg over the opposite knee and locate Sanyinjiao with your thumb. Apply steady acupressure in a circular massage motion for 30 seconds.
3. Taichong (太衝) — LR3
Location: Between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals on the top of the foot, in the depression in front of the metatarsal junction. If you go up along the space between the toes toward the top of the foot, you’ll find the indented area.
Benefits: It promotes the flow of liver qi, alleviating stress and tension. It’s remarkably effective for improving dizziness and headaches caused by stress.
Acupressure Technique: Sit and lift one foot, then locate Taichong with your thumb. Repeat pressing and releasing slowly 3-5 times. A slight amount of tenderness is appropriate.
4. Taixi (太谿) — KI3
Location: In the depression between the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus) and the Achilles tendon. You can find the deep indentation by gently pressing on the ankle.
Benefits: It strengthens kidney function and improves blood circulation in the lower body, helping to improve dizziness. It’s especially effective for dizziness caused by chronic fatigue.
Acupressure Technique: Sit in a comfortable position and place one ankle on the opposite knee. Locate Taixi with your thumb and maintain continuous pressure for 1 minute.
5. Neiguan (內關) — PC6
Location: Two cun (approximately 5cm) above the inner wrist crease, between the palmaris longus tendon and the flexor carpi radialis tendon. If you press on the inner side of the wrist with your finger, you’ll find the depression between the two tendons.
Benefits: It calms the mind and body, alleviates nausea, and improves cerebral blood flow. It’s very effective when experiencing dizziness along with nausea.
Acupressure Technique: Extend one arm with your palm facing upward. Locate Neiguan with the thumb of your other hand and apply steady acupressure in a circular massage motion for 30 seconds.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
The key to maximizing effectiveness is to apply acupressure consistently at the same time each day. Here’s the recommended routine. The optimal times are after waking up and washing your face in the morning, and one hour before going to sleep in the evening.
Step 1 (1 minute): Apply acupressure to Zusanli (ST36) on both sides for 30 seconds each.
Step 2 (1 minute): Apply acupressure to Sanyinjiao (SP6) on both sides for 30 seconds each.
Step 3 (1 minute): Apply acupressure to Taichong (LR3) on both sides for 30 seconds each.
Step 4 (1 minute): Apply acupressure to Taixi (KI3) on both sides for 30 seconds each.
Step 5 (1 minute): Apply acupressure to Neiguan (PC6) on both sides for 30 seconds each.
It may be difficult to find the acupressure points at first, so please identify the locations carefully before proceeding. You should notice an improvement in dizziness if you continue consistently for about two weeks.
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