Introduction
Night sweats that soak you thoroughly each night and disrupt your sleep—you’re not alone. Night sweats are a common symptom, especially among modern people struggling with perimenopause, stress, and lack of sleep. Traditional Chinese medicine views this as a deficiency of kidney yin and believes it can be improved through simple acupoint acupressure. This guide introduces self-acupressure techniques you can try before visiting a medical facility.
Five Effective Acupoints for Night Sweats
1. Yin Chi (陰極) — HT6
Location: Located 0.5 cun above the transverse crease on the inner wrist, on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon (the tendon that curls the fingers). It can be found about 0.5 cm above the inner wrist crease in the direction of the elbow.
Benefits: Replenishes the heart’s yin essence (body fluids) and calms both heart and spirit. It excels at improving night sweats, insomnia, palpitations (heart racing), and trembling fingers. It’s especially effective for sweating caused by a weak heart.
Acupressure technique: Using your thumb, locate the acupoint and repeatedly press and release slowly in a perpendicular direction. Perform 40–60 presses per minute, 2–3 times daily. Press gradually deeper until you feel soreness (tenderness), but aim for a heavy sensation rather than pain.
2. Lung Shu (肺俞) — BL13
Location: On the upper back, 1.5 cun (approximately 2.5 cm) lateral to the spine below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra. It’s located slightly below the level of both shoulders, on the medial side above the shoulder blade.
Benefits: Strengthens the lung’s protective qi (defensive function) and promotes consolidation. It’s effective for regulating sweating, boosting immunity, and improving respiratory health. In addition to night sweats, it helps prevent colds and relieve bronchial discomfort.
Acupressure technique: Since this area is difficult to reach alone, use a golf ball or acupressure stick against your back, pressing it against a wall for stimulation, or ask a family member for help. Use your thumb to apply acupressure in circular motions; 2–3 minutes of stimulation is sufficient.
3. Yong Quan (涌泉) — KI2
Location: On the inner foot, in front and below the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone), in the depression below the tuberosity of the navicular bone. It’s located at the deepest point when following the inner curve of the foot downward.
Benefits: Replenishes the kidney’s yin fluids (yin qi) to suppress sweating. It’s the premier acupoint especially for night sweats caused by kidney yin deficiency. It’s also effective for relieving insomnia, tinnitus, dryness, and lower back pain.
Acupressure technique: Press with your thumb in a perpendicular direction while making circular motions. Perform 40–60 presses per minute for 3–5 minutes before bed in the evening. It’s best to stimulate both feet. It may be slightly tender at first, so start slowly.
4. Fu Liu (復溜) — KI7
Location: Located 2 cun (approximately 3.3 cm) above the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone), on the anterior edge of the Achilles tendon. Find it by moving upward along the inner calf from the ankle.
Benefits: Strengthens kidney yang (the kidney’s yang qi) to suppress sweating and improve temperature regulation. In addition to night sweats, it helps improve digestive function, relieve coldness, and boost immunity. It promotes recovery from fatigue.
Acupressure technique: Use your thumb to press a single point with focus or apply acupressure in circular motions. Perform 30–40 presses per minute, twice daily in the morning and evening. Start with gentle stimulation and gradually increase pressure.
5. Inner Gate (內關) — PC6
Location: Located approximately 2 cun (3.3 cm) above the inner wrist crease in the direction of the elbow, in the middle of the two tendons on the inner wrist. It’s about midway between the inner wrist crease and the elbow.
Benefits: Calms both heart and spirit and alleviates stress-related sweating. It improves anxiety, insomnia, digestive discomfort, motion sickness, and chest tightness. It balances the autonomic nervous system to normalize temperature regulation function.
Acupressure technique: Use your thumb to repeatedly press and release slowly. Perform 40–50 presses per minute, stimulating 3 times daily. Since this is the most accessible acupoint, you can perform acupressure anytime and anywhere. Pressing immediately when stressed provides rapid calming effects.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Morning Routine Before Work (2 minutes): Press Inner Gate and Fu Liu for 1 minute each to start your day with energy.
Evening Relaxation Routine (3 minutes): Press Yong Quan for 1 minute 30 seconds and Yin Chi for 1 minute 30 seconds to calm your nerves. Performing this 1 hour before bed helps you sleep soundly.
Advanced Routine 2–3 Times Weekly: Perform a complete routine stimulating all five acupoints for 1 minute each, 2–3 times per week. Results appear quickly and last longer.
Tip: Stimulate both hands or both feet, but if time is limited, consistency on just one side is important. Drinking lukewarm water after acupressure further enhances the effect.
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