5 Acupressure Points for Foot Pain — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

Foot Pain: Why Does It Occur and Why Is Acupoint Acupressure Helpful?

That sharp, shooting pain in the bottom of your foot when taking your first steps in the morning—for those whose jobs involve standing all day, it becomes chronic discomfort. This condition is called plantar fasciitis, which occurs when inflammation develops in the plantar fascia that supports the arch of the foot. In traditional medicine, foot pain is viewed as “insufficient flow of qi and blood.” The foot is often called a microcosm of the body, with many acupoints concentrated in it. When you stimulate specific acupoints, you promote blood circulation and facilitate the smooth flow of qi, enabling pain relief and enhanced natural healing power.

5 Key Acupoints for Relieving Foot Pain

1. Kunlun (BL60) — An Excellent Remedy for Foot Pain

Location: On the outer side of the foot, in the hollow between the heel bone and Achilles tendon, directly behind the most prominent bone (lateral malleolus) when you rotate your ankle.

Acupressure Method: Use your thumb to rub up and down or apply circular stimulation for about 30 seconds. The pressure should feel slightly tender while providing relief. Apply to both feet for 3-5 minutes each.

Benefits: Effective not only for plantar fasciitis but also for foot pain, ankle pain, and lower back pain. It promotes blood circulation and reduces swelling and fatigue in the feet.

2. Yongquan (KI1) — Direct Treatment Point for Foot Pain

Location: At the center of the sole, at the point where a small depression forms when you curl your toes. Located at approximately one-third of the way down the sole of the foot.

Acupressure Method: Use your thumb to press downward from top to bottom while simultaneously applying circular stimulation. Consistent, steady pressure is more important than intense pressure. Apply to each foot for 3-5 minutes.

Benefits: Improves blood circulation throughout the sole and promotes direct nutrient supply to the plantar fascia. Provides the most direct effect for foot fatigue recovery and pain relief.

3. Zusanli (ST36) — Whole-Body Immunity and Blood Circulation

Location: Located just below the knee, four finger-widths below the outer hollow area. More precisely, it’s three finger-widths below the acupoint at the outer side of the knee.

Acupressure Method: Use your thumb or the tip of a pen to apply and release pressure vertically in a repetitive motion. Apply pressure at a level that creates slight tenderness, treating each leg for 3-5 minutes.

Benefits: Strengthens overall immunity and improves blood circulation, not just relieving local foot pain. Also effective for fatigue recovery and inflammation relief.

4. Taichong (LR3) — Stress Relief and Stagnant Blood Resolution

Location: Between the first and second metatarsal bones on the top of the foot, about two thumb-widths above the base of the toes toward the middle of the foot.

Acupressure Method: Use your thumb to slowly press downward and apply stimulation for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Rather than hard pressing, slow, deep pressure is more effective. Apply to each foot for 3-5 minutes.

Benefits: Promotes blood circulation in the feet and facilitates smooth qi flow. Indirectly relieves foot pain by easing muscle tension caused by stress.

5. Sanyinjiao (SP6) — Blood Circulation and Fatigue Recovery

Location: Located four finger-widths (approximately 10cm) above the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus), on the inner side of the tibia.

Acupressure Method: Use your thumb to apply and release pressure from top to bottom in a repetitive motion. Apply pressure that feels slightly tender yet comfortable to each leg for 3-5 minutes.

Benefits: Improves overall lower body blood circulation to relieve foot swelling and fatigue. Effective for inflammation relief and enhanced natural healing power.

5-Minute Daily Self-Acupressure Routine for Foot Pain Relief

Order of Execution and Time Allocation:

1. Kunlun (BL60) — 1 minute (30 seconds per foot)
2. Taichong (LR3) — 1 minute (30 seconds per foot)
3. Sanyinjiao (SP6) — 1 minute (30 seconds per foot)
4. Zusanli (ST36) — 1 minute (30 seconds per leg)
5. Yongquan (KI1) — 1 minute (30 seconds per foot)

Tip: Most effective when performed twice daily: in the morning when you wake up and before bed in the evening. Blood circulation improves even more when you warm your feet with a heating pad before acupressure. Perform daily for the first 1-2 weeks, then adjust to 3-4 times per week as symptoms improve.