Introduction
Anger that strikes suddenly in everyday life is hard to control and difficult to express. Modern people often experience feelings of anger due to stress and emotional drain. In traditional Chinese medicine, excessive emotions like anger are believed to damage liver function. Fortunately, applying pressure to specific acupoints on the hands, feet, and back can ease anger and calm the mind. In this article, we’ll introduce five acupoints effective for anger and how to apply pressure to them.
Five Acupoints Effective for Anger
1. Taichong (太衝) — LR3
Location: Between the first and second metatarsals on the top of the foot, in the depression in front of the metatarsal junction (the area on the top of the foot directly above the big toe)
Benefits: Regulates the liver’s qi to release anger and stress, stabilize emotional fluctuations, and ease headaches and shoulder tension.
Pressure technique: Using your opposite thumb, locate the acupoint and press for 3 seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times. Press gently until you feel a warm sensation, being careful not to apply excessive pressure that causes pain.
2. Shenmen (神門) — HT7
Location: On the wrist crease, on the radial side of the ulnar wrist flexor tendon, in the depression on the ulnar (pinky) side of the inner wrist crease
Benefits: Calms the heart and spirit to immediately settle anxiety and anger, and eases insomnia and excessive tension.
Pressure technique: Using your opposite thumb, press gently with a subtle pressing sensation for 5 seconds, then release for 2 seconds. Repeat 15 times. Gentle pressure is more effective than deep pressing.
3. Yanglingquan (陽陵泉) — GB34
Location: Below the knee, in the depression in front and below the head of the fibula (the bone on the outer side of the calf)
Benefits: Stimulates the gallbladder meridian to support decisive action and relieves chest congestion caused by frustration and anger.
Pressure technique: Sit on the floor with your knee slightly bent and locate the acupoint with your thumb. Press for 3 seconds until you feel a slight ache, then rest for 1 second. Repeat 12 times.
4. Xingjian (行間) — LR2
Location: Between the big toe and second toe, at the webbing margin
Benefits: Works with Taichong to regulate liver qi, easing eye fatigue and headaches from anger while providing rapid calming effects.
Pressure technique: Sit in a comfortable position and locate the area between your big toe and second toe. Using your thumb, massage in circular motions for about 1 minute. Perform on both feet.
5. Ganshu (肝兪) — BL18
Location: Below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun (about the width of two thumbs) lateral to the spine on both sides of the midline on the back
Benefits: A back shu point that directly regulates liver function, fundamentally managing anger and emotional unrest while promoting recovery from fatigue.
Pressure technique: If direct access is difficult, place a tennis ball on your back against a wall and gradually apply pressure. Alternatively, ask a family member to press with their finger joints for 3 seconds, rest for 2 seconds, and repeat 15 times.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Protocol to perform immediately when you feel anger:
(1) Apply pressure to Xingjian and Taichong on both sides for 1 minute each (2 minutes)
(2) Apply pressure to Shenmen on both sides for 45 seconds each (1.5 minutes)
(3) Apply pressure to Yanglingquan on the left side for 1 minute and Ganshu for 1 minute (if you cannot apply pressure to both sides simultaneously, alternate) (2 minutes)
Repeating this routine 2-3 times daily alleviates immediate physical responses to anger (facial flushing, chest congestion), and practicing for 3-5 days stabilizes emotional fluctuations. The effects are doubled when you apply pressure combined with deep diaphragmatic breathing.
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