5 Best Acupoints for Hangovers — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

Introduction

We’ve all experienced waking up the morning after drinking with a ruined start to the day. Headaches, nausea, overall fatigue… the suffering of a hangover is truly difficult to endure. These symptoms occur during the liver’s detoxification process, and Traditional Eastern medicine believes that stimulating specific acupoints can accelerate this process and alleviate symptoms. Before heading to the pharmacy or hospital, try overcoming your hangover with self-acupressure using acupoints on your hands and feet. You only need a single finger—no complicated tools required.

5 Effective Acupoints for Hangover Relief

1. LI4 — Promoting Alcohol Breakdown and Relieving Nausea

Location: The point where the bones of the thumb and index finger meet on the back of the hand (center of the webbing between the fingers).
How to locate it: Open your hand and look between your thumb and index finger—you’ll find a natural depression.
Acupressure technique: Using your opposite thumb, press in circular motions for 10 seconds, repeat 3 times. Apply to both hands.
Benefits: LI4 has excellent pain-relieving effects and quickly alleviates nausea and headaches caused by alcohol. It also improves digestive function, reducing the liver’s detoxification burden.

2. SP6 — Improving Digestion and Recovering from Fatigue

Location: Four finger widths above the inner ankle bone (toward the calf).
How to locate it: From the inner ankle bone, place four fingers upward (approximately 10cm). It’s near the inner side of the bone.
Acupressure technique: Using your thumb, slowly press for 10 seconds, release, and repeat 5 times. Stimulate both sides.
Benefits: It activates digestive and liver function, promoting alcohol metabolism. It quickly relieves fatigue and lethargy caused by hangovers.

3. ST36 — Restoring Energy and Boosting Immunity

Location: Below the knee on the outer side, in the depression on the outer side of the tibia (anterior shin bone).
How to locate it: From below the outside of the knee, move down four finger widths (approximately 10cm). It’s where your finger naturally sinks in.
Acupressure technique: Using your thumb, press firmly for 10 seconds at a pressure level that causes mild discomfort, repeat 3-5 times.
Benefits: It’s a powerful acupoint that raises your whole-body energy (qi). It rapidly recovers from severe hangover fatigue and boosts immunity to improve your condition the next day.

4. LR3 — Improving Liver Function and Relieving Stress

Location: On the top of the foot, above where the first and second toes meet.
How to locate it: Trace upward between the big toe and second toe on the top of the foot—you’ll feel a natural depression.
Acupressure technique: Using your thumb, press for 10 seconds and stimulate in circular motions slowly. Repeat 3-5 times on both feet.
Benefits: It’s an acupoint that directly promotes the liver’s detoxification function. It alleviates liver stress from alcohol and relieves mental stress simultaneously, accelerating hangover recovery.

5. BL60 — Promoting Blood Circulation and Relieving Overall Body Pain

Location: In the depression midway between the outer ankle bone and the heel.
How to locate it: Between the outer ankle bone and the heel, you’ll find a hollow depression.
Acupressure technique: Using your thumb, press with slightly firm pressure for 10 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times on each foot.
Benefits: It promotes whole-body blood circulation, accelerating toxin elimination from alcohol. It relieves headaches and overall body pain while activating metabolism.

5-Minute Self-Acupressure Routine

Recommended order and time allocation:

1. LI4 (1 minute) — 30 seconds per hand, starting your quick recovery
2. SP6 (1 minute) — 30 seconds per foot, activating digestive function
3. ST36 (1 minute) — 30 seconds per foot, restoring energy
4. LR3 (1 minute) — 30 seconds per foot, improving liver function
5. BL60 (1 minute) — 30 seconds per foot, promoting blood circulation

Application tips: It’s most effective to apply 3 times a day: right after waking in the morning, around lunchtime, and in the evening. It’s important to maintain a pressure level that is ‘slightly tender but pleasantly so’ at each acupoint. Avoid excessive stimulation and practice this along with adequate hydration.