Acupressure is Not Difficult
That feeling of your belly swelling up after a meal—it’s really uncomfortable, isn’t it? That heaviness and the constraint on your activities. I have plenty of those days too, but I discovered that just pressing a few acupressure points a little bit every day makes a huge difference. Acupressure is not a special technique or a complicated process. It’s simply pressing slowly with your fingertips—that’s all there is to it. Today, I’ll introduce you to three points that even complete beginners can easily start with.
What to Know Before You Start
The Golden Rule of Acupressure is simple. First, avoid pressing to the point of pain. A pressure that feels “slightly tender yet pleasant” is just right. Second, relax your fingers and press slowly while exhaling deeply. Holding your breath creates tension in your body. Third, wash your hands thoroughly before acupressing, and warm your wrists with warm water for even better results. Start in a comfortable position with a relaxed mind.
Remember These 3 Points Only
First Point: Zusanli (ST36)
How to Find It: Watch your knee as you move it. When you slightly bend your knee, a small hollow appears below the kneecap. Place three fingers side by side below that hollow, and you’ll find Zusanli on the outer side of the shin bone. At first you might wonder, “Is this exactly the right spot?” but when you press with your fingers, you’ll feel, “Ah, yes, this is it!” There is one point on each leg.
How to Press It: Slowly press with your thumb, but don’t press too hard. Exhale slowly and press for 3 seconds, then gently rub in a circular motion a couple of times before releasing. Repeat this 5 to 10 times. Start gently and adjust to your comfort level.
Press It When: When you wake up in the morning and feel like your digestion isn’t working, when you’ve eaten a lot at lunch and feel bloated, when you’re tired in the evening and your belly feels uncomfortable—Zusanli is a “universal acupoint” that aids digestion and boosts overall energy.
Second Point: Zhongwan (CV12)
How to Find It: Find your belly button. Then locate your epigastrium (the end of your breastbone). Zhongwan is at the exact midpoint between your belly button and epigastrium—about four finger-widths (approximately 10 cm) above your belly button. At first, you might measure with a ruler or move your fingers up to confirm, “Is this the spot?” When you gently press this point during abdominal bloating, you might feel a sensation of it “clicking” slightly inward.
How to Press It: Lie down or sit comfortably and relax your abdominal muscles. Slowly press with your thumb or middle finger, but instead of feeling like you’re “pushing it out,” think of it as “pressing gently to awaken.” Press for 3 to 5 seconds at a time, repeat about 5 times, and that’s enough. If your belly feels warm after acupressing, you’ve done it correctly.
Press It When: When you feel heaviness below your epigastrium, when your digestion seems not to be starting after eating, when your abdomen feels tense from stress—think of Zhongwan as the center of your entire digestive system.
Third Point: Tianshu (ST25)
How to Find It: Think of your belly button as the center. Tianshu is located on both sides of your belly button, exactly two finger-widths (approximately 5 cm) to the side. There is one on each side, so find both. When you gently press with your fingers, you’ll notice it feels particularly stiff or uncomfortable when you have abdominal bloating. That’s exactly where Tianshu is.
How to Press It: Slowly press with your fingertips, but do it with a sense of compassion for your belly—as if transferring warmth. It’s also good to rub gently in a circular motion counterclockwise (starting from the right Tianshu). Spend about 1 minute at a time, doing this 2 to 3 times a day will activate your colon movement.
Press It When: When your belly feels bloated and tight, when gas builds up and your belly rumbles, when you have a tendency toward constipation—Tianshu is the “magical point” that stimulates intestinal movement.
Beginner’s 3-Minute Routine
If you’re short on time, just remember this routine. We recommend doing it every morning right after you wake up, in under 5 minutes.
Step 1 (1 minute): Press Zusanli on both sides, 30 seconds on each side. You can do this while sitting, so even a busy morning works.
Step 2 (1 minute): Lie down and slowly press Zhongwan 3 to 5 times. Calm your mind with deep breathing.
Step 3 (1 minute): Gently massage Tianshu on both sides of your belly button in counterclockwise circles. Continue until your belly feels warm.
If abdominal bloating is severe in the evening, do this routine once more either 1 hour after lunch or after 7 p.m., and digestion will be much easier during the night.
3 Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Pressing Too Hard — Many people think, “It only works if it hurts” and press with force. Continuous gentle stimulation is more important than brief pain. Never press so hard that you get bruises.
2. Giving Up After One Try — Acupressure is not a one-time thing. You need to do it consistently for at least one week to feel a difference. If expectations are high, disappointment will be too. Start with the mindset of “aiming for one month, but checking for results after one week.”
3. Ignoring Your Posture — Doing it while standing or in an uncomfortable position is far less effective than doing it in a comfortable position with deep breathing. Relaxing both your mind and body is half of what acupressure is.
Moving to the Next Level
Once you’re comfortable with these three points and have done them consistently for about two weeks, you can try two additional points. Guanyuan (CV4, 3 cun below the belly button) further activates intestinal movement, and Qihai (CV6, 1.5 cun below the belly button) boosts energy throughout your entire abdomen. However, don’t try too many points from the beginning. Knowing three points perfectly is a hundred times better than knowing five points vaguely.
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