Tag: Zanzhu

Introduction

Staring at smartphone, computer, and tablet screens all day long leaves your eyes feeling tired and sore, with difficulty focusing and pain behind the eyes. This is “eye strain.” In traditional Chinese medicine, the eyes are connected to the liver, and eye strain occurs when the liver’s blood (blood) is insufficient or when the flow of qi (vital energy) becomes blocked. By stimulating specific acupressure points distributed around the eyes, arms, and legs, you can improve blood circulation and relieve eye muscle tension to quickly ease eye strain. Just five minutes using only your fingers is enough, without any medication.

Five Acupressure Points to Relieve Eye Strain

1. Jingming (BL1) — The Most Effective Acupressure Point for Eye Strain

Location: The inner corner of the eye (beside the nose), in the groove above the inner eye corner. It’s located slightly above the line where the nose and eye meet.

Massage Technique: Using the index finger or thumb of both hands, gently press upward and hold for 3 to 5 seconds until you feel a warming sensation. Repeat 10 times per set, three times daily.

Effects: Jingming is a miracle acupressure point for eye strain, bloodshot eyes, tired eyes, myopia, and dry eyes. It directly relieves tension in the muscles around the eyes and promotes blood circulation around the eye area, providing the fastest recovery from eye strain. Pressing it every three hours can significantly reduce eye fatigue after long work sessions.

2. Zanzhu (BL2) — Eye Strain Relief Point Inside the Eyebrow

Location: The groove at the inner end of the eyebrow (above the nose). You can find it at the inner corner of each eyebrow.

Massage Technique: Using both thumbs, gently press upward with a tender feeling (soreness-distension sensation) and hold for about 5 seconds. Stimulate 8 to 10 times per session, three to four times daily.

Effects: Zanzhu relieves eye strain, dry eyes, and pain near the eyebrows. It’s especially effective for eye strain accompanied by tension in the area between the eyebrows and frontal headaches. It also helps improve wrinkles on the forehead caused by stress.

3. Sizhukong (TE23) — Specialized Acupressure Point for Outer Eye Strain

Location: The wrinkle area at the outer corner of the eye (toward the temple), in the indented area that appears when you close your eyes.

Massage Technique: Using the ring finger or middle finger of both hands, press slightly upward and massage in a circular motion for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times per session, two to three times daily.

Effects: Sizhukong relieves fatigue and soreness on the outer side of the eyes and is especially beneficial for eye strain accompanied by migraines or temple pain. It promotes lymphatic circulation around the eyes and improves eye puffiness (eyelid edema).

4. Taiyang (Ex-HN5) — Multi-Purpose Acupressure Point at the Temple

Location: The temple area, roughly halfway between the eye and ear. It’s the area that becomes indented when you press with your finger.

Massage Technique: Gently approach the temples with the middle or ring finger of both hands, then massage in a circular motion toward the back with light pressure for 10 seconds. Repeat 15 times per session, three times daily.

Effects: Taiyang relieves not only eye strain but also migraines, eye pain, and soreness around the eyes and temples. It effectively improves blood circulation around the eyes and relieves nervous tension, and is especially recommended for stress-related eye strain in modern life.

5. Hegu (LI4) — Comprehensive Acupressure Point for Overall Pain and Eye Strain

Location: The center of the point where the thumb and index finger meet, at the highest point when the fingers are closed together.

Massage Technique: Using the thumb of the opposite hand, press downward (toward the wrist) and slowly stimulate with firm pressure. Massage for more than 1 minute per session, two to three times daily. It’s good to stimulate both sides one at a time.

Effects: Hegu is a universal acupressure point that addresses eye strain, bloodshot eyes, and all facial pain (headaches, toothaches, facial pain). It’s particularly effective when eye strain is accompanied by headaches or eye pain. It stimulates the autonomic nervous system in the hands, simultaneously relieving tension in the eyes and brain.

5-Minute Self-Massage Routine

A quick eye strain relief routine that takes just 5 minutes during your busy morning, lunch, or evening.

1. Jingming (1 minute): Alternate pressing both Jingming points 10 times × 1 set, approximately 1 minute
2. Zanzhu (1 minute): Gently stimulate both Zanzhu points 8 times × 1 set, approximately 1 minute
3. Sizhukong (1 minute): Massage both Sizhukong points in circular motions 10 times × 1 set, approximately 1 minute
4. Taiyang (1 minute): Massage both Taiyang points simultaneously in circular motions 15 times, approximately 1 minute
5. Hegu (1 minute): Press both Hegu points firmly for 30 seconds each, approximately 1 minute

Tip: If you repeat this routine three times a day—right after waking in the morning, one hour after lunch, and once after work in the evening—you can prevent the buildup of eye strain. Feel free to change the order of the points if it’s more comfortable for you.