Acupoint Guide

Tag: fatigue relief

  • 5 Acupoints for Eye Strain — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

    5 Acupoints for Eye Strain — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

    One-line Summary: Stimulating 5 acupoints around the eyes can quickly relieve eye fatigue, and consistently applying acupressure for 5 minutes, 2-3 times a day, can maintain eye health.

    Introduction

    Over 70% of modern people experience eye fatigue in daily life. Prolonged staring at smartphone screens and computer monitors causes the muscles around the eyes to become tense and blood circulation to worsen, intensifying fatigue. While patches and eye drops provide temporary relief, they don’t solve the problem fundamentally. In these cases, acupoint acupressure for eye fatigue passed down through the Donguibogam is highly effective.

    5 Effective Acupoints for Eye Fatigue

    1. Taichong (太衝) — LR3

    Location: Between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones of the foot, in the depression in front of the metatarsal articulation. It’s located between the big toe and second toe on the top of the foot, just in front of the bone border.

    Benefits: This acupoint regulates liver (Gan) function, and since the eyes are directly connected to the liver, stimulating Taichong greatly improves eye health. It simultaneously relieves dry eyes, blurred vision, and eye redness.

    How to Apply: Using your thumb, firmly press for 5 seconds and rest for 3 seconds. Repeat this 30 times. The appropriate intensity is when you feel a slight amount of tenderness. Apply to both feet.

    2. Hegu (合谷) — LI4

    Location: In the depression between the thumb and index finger on the back of the hand. It’s located at the midpoint of the 2nd metacarpal bone, where your finger touches when you place your thumb between your fingers.

    Benefits: This acupoint governs whole-body pain and fatigue, relieving not only eye fatigue but also headaches. It boosts immunity and is particularly effective for eye pain caused by stress.

    How to Apply: Using your opposite thumb, slowly apply acupressure in a circular motion for 1 minute. It’s even better to alternate between both hands. Especially when you apply acupressure during work breaks, you can feel immediate relief.

    3. Fengchi (風池) — GB20

    Location: At the back of the neck, in the depression below the occipital bone. It’s located between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, below the two bony prominences you can feel when you bend your neck forward.

    Benefits: It relieves tension in the neck and shoulder muscles and alleviates eye pain caused by cervical discomfort. It promotes eye fatigue recovery by improving cerebral blood flow.

    How to Apply: Using both thumbs, simultaneously press firmly for 5 seconds and rest for 3 seconds. Repeat this 20 times. Continue until you feel the neck muscles relax. It’s even more effective to slowly move your neck left and right after acupressure.

    4. Yintang (印堂) — EX-HN3

    Location: In the center between both eyebrows, at the glabella. It’s where the center line of the forehead meets the eyebrows, and it’s easy to find with your hand.

    Benefits: It directly stimulates the qi and blood around the eyes, providing the fastest relief of eye fatigue. It has an immediate effect on decreased concentration, eyelid twitching, and eye redness.

    How to Apply: Using your middle and ring fingers, firmly press Yintang for 5 seconds and rest for 3 seconds. Repeat this 15 times. Massaging in a circular motion also improves mental fatigue. Be careful not to press too hard, as it may cause a headache.

    5. Xingjian (行間) — LR2

    Location: Between the big toe and second toe of the foot, at the border of the webbed area. It’s the depression between the two toes on the top of the foot.

    Benefits: This acupoint clears heat from the liver and is excellent for improving stress-related eye fatigue and blurred vision. It also has effects on relieving dry eyes and night blindness.

    How to Apply: Using your thumb, press for 5 seconds and rest for 3 seconds. Repeat this 25 times. Since it’s between the toes, it’s important to apply gentle but clear stimulation. Especially when you apply acupressure in the evening, you can also expect improved sleep quality.

    5-Minute Self-Care Routine

    Pre-Work Morning Routine (2 minutes): Apply acupressure to Hegu → Yintang → Taichong in order, 30 seconds each, to clear your eyes and increase concentration.

    Midday Fatigue Recovery (2 minutes): Apply acupressure to Fengchi → Hegu → Yintang in order, 30 seconds each, to prevent afternoon fatigue.

    Evening Relaxation Routine (2 minutes): Apply acupressure to Taichong → Xingjian → Fengchi in order, 30 seconds each, to completely relieve the day’s eye fatigue and promote sound sleep.

    Pro Tip: Soaking your hands and feet in warm water before acupressure to promote blood circulation increases the effectiveness by 40%. Also, be careful not to expose yourself to cold air for 30 minutes after acupressure.

    🤰 Caution for Pregnant Women: Some acupoints such as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4), and Taichong (LR3) may trigger uterine contractions in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, be sure to consult with a traditional medicine practitioner or healthcare professional before applying acupressure.
    ⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist or are severe, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional.
  • Baihui (GV20) vs Qihai (CV6) — Which Acupoint Should You Press?

    Baihui (GV20) vs Qihai (CV6) — Which Acupoint Should You Press?

    One-line summary: Baihui is the ‘brain-awakening’ acupoint, and Qihai is the ‘energy-replenishing’ acupoint – choose based on your symptoms.

    What’s the Difference Between Baihui and Qihai?

    Although Baihui (GV20) and Qihai (CV6) are often compared because both are effective for improving fatigue, they have quite different roles in traditional medicine. Baihui is a yang acupoint located on the crown of the head that activates brain activity, while Qihai is a yin acupoint located inside the pelvis below the navel that replenishes the body’s fundamental energy. Even with the same fatigue, the choice depends on whether it’s mental fatigue or physical fatigue, and whether dizziness is involved.

    Baihui (GV20) Deep Dive

    Exact Location

    Baihui is located at the center of the crown of the head. The method for finding it is simple. Draw an imaginary line connecting the highest points of both ears, and the point where this line intersects with the line running through the center of the head is Baihui. When you touch your head, you’ll feel it at a slightly indented spot. To find the exact location, it’s a good idea to mark it while looking in a mirror at first.

    Recommended For

    Baihui is particularly effective when you have the following symptoms. First, frequent tension headaches or migraines. Second, dizziness accompanied by mental fog. Third, fatigue accumulated from insomnia. Fourth, depression or lethargy causing a loss of motivation. Fifth, severe afternoon drowsiness can also be helped by pressing Baihui. If you’re experiencing mental fatigue or concentration problems, Baihui is the answer.

    Pressure Method and Tips

    When pressing Baihui, it’s important to apply gentle but firm pressure. Use your thumb or middle finger to press vertically on the center of the crown. Maintain pressure at a level where you think “this should be effective” – not too strong. Be careful not to press too hard, as it can worsen headaches. It’s recommended to press for about 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time, 2-3 times per day. The most effective times are upon waking in the morning, around 3 PM when drowsiness hits, and before bedtime in the evening. After pressing, drinking warm water further promotes blood circulation.

    Qihai (CV6) Deep Dive

    Exact Location

    Qihai is located about 1.5 cun (approximately 4-5 cm) below the navel. More precisely, it’s at the one-fifth point from the navel on the line connecting the navel to the top of the pubic bone. You can find Qihai by moving down about two fingers (approximately 1.5 inches) below your navel. Rather than trying to find it yourself, it’s important to rely on how it feels with your fingers. Since it’s located in the soft area below the navel, you can find it by gently pressing the skin.

    Recommended For

    Qihai is an acupoint that replenishes the body’s fundamental energy and is effective in the following situations. First, chronic fatigue where the entire body feels exhausted. Second, menstrual cramps or irregular menstruation around your period. Third, frequently experiencing abdominal discomfort, digestive issues, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea. Fourth, weakened immunity and frequent colds. Fifth, reduced metabolism causing a loss of stamina. Qihai is closely related to the ‘dantian,’ the body’s energy reserve, making it excellent for overall physical energy replenishment.

    Pressure Method and Tips

    When pressing Qihai, it’s better to approach it more gently than Baihui. Slowly press the point 1.5 cun below the navel with your thumb or middle finger, then massage in circular, clockwise motions. Continue for about 2-3 minutes at a time, and perform 1-2 times per day (preferably morning and before bedtime in the evening). Since consistency is more important than prolonged stimulation for Qihai, develop a habit of pressing at the same time each day. Be careful not to press the abdomen too hard, and it’s recommended to press at least 30 minutes after eating. Pressing with warm hands enhances the effect.

    Key Comparison Summary

    Item Baihui (GV20) Qihai (CV6)
    Location Center of the crown 1.5 cun below the navel
    Main Effects Headaches, dizziness, insomnia, depression Fatigue, menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, constipation/diarrhea
    Mechanism of Action Mental activation Energy replenishment
    Difficulty in Finding Location Very easy Easy
    Pressure Intensity Medium intensity Light intensity
    Optimal Times Morning, 3 PM Morning, before bedtime in the evening
    Duration 30 seconds to 1 minute 2-3 minutes

    Synergistic Effects When Pressed Together

    Using Baihui and Qihai together creates a synergistic effect. Especially when dealing with the common symptom of ‘fatigue,’ stimulating both acupoints sequentially maximizes effectiveness. It’s recommended to first press Qihai for 2-3 minutes to replenish the body’s basic energy, then press Baihui for about 1 minute to awaken the mind. This way, you can address both physical and mental fatigue simultaneously. Additionally, for women who experience headaches and fatigue together around their period, using both acupoints is especially helpful. However, when applying them on the same day, maintain sufficient intervals (at least 2-3 hours) between them and be careful not to over-stimulate.

    Conclusion: Selection Guide by Situation

    Choose Baihui in These Cases: When you have a headache, feel dizzy, lack mental clarity or concentration, or experience severe drowsiness in the evening. If you want to quickly recover from fatigue during work, pressing Baihui is your best option.

    Choose Qihai in These Cases: When your whole body is exhausted and needs physical recovery, when you have menstrual cramps or abdominal discomfort, or when you feel your immunity has weakened. If your goal is long-term fatigue recovery and replenishing physical energy, practice pressing Qihai consistently.

    For Mixed-Type Fatigue: When mental and physical fatigue appear together (for example, fatigue from sleep deprivation), stimulating both acupoints in the order of Qihai → Baihui yields the best results. Since consistency is most important, if you develop a habit of pressing the acupoint that matches your symptoms at the same time each day, you should feel the effects within 1-2 weeks.

    🤰 Caution for Pregnant Women: Some acupoints such as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4), and Taichong (LR3) can trigger uterine contractions in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or possibly pregnant, be sure to consult with a traditional medicine practitioner or healthcare professional before proceeding.
    ⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist or are severe, be sure to consult a healthcare professional.