P. Sze 
Some time ago, a friend of mine came to me complaining about pains in several parts of her body. She couldn’t sleep well at night, she was having bowel issues, and she was tired most of the time. I asked her to see a doctor and the doctor told her she had fibromyalgia. He also told her that the condition can’t be cured but managed, and he recommended her some acupressure points for fibromyalgia.
If you’re experiencing the same symptoms as my friend, you may have fibromyalgia. It’s not an uncommon health condition, so don’t be afraid. Out of every 100 adults, about 2 of them have fibromyalgia. Women suffer from this condition more than men, however. The ratio of women to men suffering fibromyalgia is 9:1.
Additionally, you are more prone to fibromyalgia if you’re an older woman from 50 years and above. Around 7.4 percent of women between 70 and 79 years suffer fibromyalgia symptoms. These symptoms include widespread pain that affects both the right and left sides of your body, fatigue, and an impaired ability to focus. In most cases, you’ll also have anxiety, migraine, depression, and irritable bowel.
To be sure that your condition is indeed fibromyalgia, you’ll need to visit a hospital for diagnosis. Meanwhile, in this article, I’ll show you all the acupressure points for fibromyalgia relief that my friend’s doctor recommended to her.
Can Acupressure Help Fibromyalgia?
Considering that fibromyalgia is characterized by pain, acupressure proves effective in relieving fibromyalgia pains. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory holds that when there’s stagnation in the activities of Qi, there’s statis of blood which leads to pain.
So, what acupressure does is that it regulates the Qi and blood as well as chases away cold and removes the dampness. To support that acupressure helps fibromyalgia pains, a recent survey reveals that 66 to 99 percent of fibromyalgia patients supplement pharmacological therapies with adjunct therapies like acupuncture or massage.
Is Acupuncture Effective For Fibromyalgia?
There is very little research that supports that acupuncture is effective for relieving fibromyalgia. However, because acupuncture has proved, over time, to be effective for different kinds of chronic pain, many people with fibromyalgia are trying it out.
Also, you have to understand that fibromyalgia is difficult to treat. So, you’ll need a combination of treatments, including acupuncture, for you to drastically reduce your symptoms.
A recent study that reviewed sixteen trials, reveals that when you combine acupuncture with cupping therapy instead of acupuncture and conventional medicine, you’ll get better relief of fibromyalgia pains.
Can Acupuncture Make Fibromyalgia Worse?
Acupuncture does not make worsen fibromyalgia pain. Several studies show that using acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia is safe, but there is very little of this kind of research supporting acupuncture for fibromyalgia.
However, there is enough evidence that electro-acupuncture is way better than other sham interventions when it comes to relieving pain, improving sleep, removing fatigue, and boosting general health. The research that reveals this also upholds acupuncture as a better auxiliary to conventional medication and exercise in managing fibromyalgia compared to just medication and exercise control.
In addition to acupuncture and acupressure for fibromyalgia, certain acupressure mats are also effective in relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia. These acupressure mats relieve pain, improves your sleep, and stops anxiety and depression. One of the best acupressure mats for fibromyalgia is the Ajnamat for fibromyalgia. You can find more about it here.
What Are The Pressure Points For Fibromyalgia?
To better understand the pressure points for fibromyalgia, you need to understand what TCM upholds as the cause of fibromyalgia. According to TCM, fibromyalgia is a result of stagnation of the Liver Qi, a deficiency of the Qi and blood, stagnation of Qi and blood statis, or a deficiency of the kidney. For some people with fibromyalgia, two or more of these issues are the cause of their fibromyalgia.
Also, fibromyalgia pain is more likely to occur in the large intestine meridian, small intestine meridian, stomach meridian, gallbladder meridian, spleen meridian, bladder meridian, and liver meridian. For this reason, the acupressure points for fibromyalgia are certain points located along these meridians.
Here are the acupressure points for fibromyalgia relief that you should know:
Acupoint: GV-20 (Other Names: The Governing Vessel-20/Bai Hui/Hundred Convergence)
GV-20 is one of the Governing Vessel acupoints that you can massage to ease fibromyalgia symptoms. It is referred to as Baihui in Chinese or Hundred Meetings in English. It is located on the head, 5.0 cun from the midpoint of your hairline. The easiest way to locate it is to trace a line from the tip of your ear to the center of your head.
This acupressure point for fibromyalgia pain is effective in treating coma, insomnia, dizziness, and aphasia. If you wish your kids to grow tall, GV-20 is one of the acupressure points for height increase to stimulate.
Acupoint: GB-20 (Other Names: Gallbladder-20/Feng Chi/Wind Pool)
GB-20 is a gallbladder meridian acupressure point this is effective in relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is called Fengchi in Chinese or Wind Pool in English. It is located on both sides of the nape of the neck. You can easily locate it by tracing your finger from the ear bone to the groove where neck muscles join the skull.
Stimulating this gallbladder meridian will clear the common cold, relieve you of nasal congestion, and stop any pain you have in your neck. GB-20 is also one of the acupressure points for eyes if you’ve strained your eyes so much.
Acupoint: GB-21 (Other Names: Gallbladder-21/Jian Jing/Shoulder Well)
GB-21, Jianjing, or Shoulder Well is another gallbladder meridian acupoint that helps fibromyalgia. It is located at the back of your shoulder. It’s the mid-point between the shoulder tip and the center line.
If you apply downward pressure to massage this acupoint for five seconds, you’ll feel less dizzy and be free of neck pains. Also, GB-21 is effective in improving lactation, relieving headaches, and easing difficult labor. If you’re an office worker, you need to also see the benefits of the GV 16 acupuncture point.
Acupoint: SI-11 (Other Names: Small Intestine-11/Tian Zong/Heavenly Gathering)
SI-11 is a small intestine meridian acupoint that functions as one of the pressure points for fibromyalgia pain relief. In Chinese, it is referred to as Tianzong which translates to Celestial Gathering in English. This acupressure point is located at the back, on the center of your shoulder blade, on the same level as the fourth thoracic vertebra.
Stimulating this acupoint relieves you of pain, opens up the chest, and unlocks benefits to the breast. It is for this reason that SI-11 is clinically used to subdue pains in the arm and shoulder and suppress asthma. It is also one of the acupoints in reflexology for sciatica.
Acupoint: LI-11 (Other Names: Large Intestine-11/Qu Chi/Pool at the Crook)
LI-11 is one of the large intestine meridian acupressure points for fibromyalgia pain. It is called Quchi in Chinese, which means Pool at the Crook in English. To locate this acupoint, bend your arm. The point at the end of the crease formed on the outer part of your bent elbow is LI-11.
In TCM, Quchi is regarded as the He-Sea point of the large intestine meridian, which implies that it is well suited to clear heat from the meridian, cool blood, and push away external heat. Clinically, LI-11 is used to resolve fever, sore throat, irregular menstruation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
If you play tennis frequently, you should also discover acupuncture and tennis elbow.
Acupoint: LI-10 (Other Names: Large Intestine-10/Shou San Li/Arm Three Miles)
Another Large Intestine meridian acupressure point to take note of for fibromyalgia relief is LI-10. It is called Shousanli in Chinese and Arm Three Miles in English. You’ll find this acupoint on the outer part of your forearm, at the point where the third finger rests when you bend your elbow in a 90-degree position and place three fingers below the crease on the elbow.
LI-10 helps to regulate blood and Qi as well as stop pain, which is why it is one of the acupressure points for neck pain. It is also effective in treating abdominal pain, paralysis on the upper parts of the body, and diarrhea. Research shows that the combination of LI-10 and ST-36, when stimulated, ensures that the gastric myoelectrical activity is regular.
Acupoint: LI-4 (Other Names: Large Intestine-4/He Gu/Joining Valley)
Acupoint LI-4 or Hegu is another Large Intestine meridian acupressure point to relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. You’ll find LI-4 on the muscle that bunches when you press the thumb and the index finger together.
Because of its classification as the Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine Meridian, LI-4 is effective for treating diseases of the head and face. Issues like body ache, swelling of the face, toothaches, and neck pain are easily sorted by stimulating LI-4. You can also detox, if you want, with the sp5 acupuncture point.
Acupoint: PC-6 (Other Names: Pericardium-6/Nei Guan/Inner Pass)
Neiguan, Inner Gate, or PC-6 is an acupressure point for fibromyalgia pain on the wrist. You’ll find it by facing your palm upwards and placing three fingers on your arm from the wrist crease. The point between the two tendons where the third finger (index finger) is resting is PC-6. When you locate it, massage the area for five seconds by applying downward pressure on the acupoint.
PC-6 is one of the three heart pressure points. It is also used clinically to treat chest congestion, pain in the chest, epilepsy, hiccup, cough, and apoplexy. According to several research studies, PC-6 relieves pregnant women of nausea and vomiting.
Acupoint: HT-7 (Other Names: Heart-7/Shen Men/Spirit Gate)
HT-7, Shenmen, or Spirit Gate is a very important heart meridian acupoint. You’ll find it at the crease of your wrist, at a point below the palm that corresponds to the little finger.
According to TCM, Shenmen is classified as the Yuan-Source of the heart meridian. This makes it function as a regulator of the heart blood and a calmer of the Shen. Because of this, HT-7 is well suited for the treatment of insomnia, cardiac pain, chest pain, and epilepsy. HT-7 is also one of the acupressure points for hot flashes.
Acupoint: TE-3 (Other Names: Triple Energizer-3/Zhong Zhu/Central Islet)
TE-3, Zhong Zhu, or Central Islet is a triple energizer acupoint that’s effective in managing fibromyalgia. You’ll find this acupoint on the back of your knuckle, at the groove formed by the tendons of your fourth and fifth fingers.
In addition to relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia, TE-3 is also used clinically to treat headaches, pains at the upper parts of your back, and shoulder pain. It is one of the acupressure points for trigger finger. According to existing research, when you stimulate acupoint TE-3, it excites the frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes and the cerebellum.
Acupoint: SP-10 (Other Names: Spleen-10/Xue Hai/Sea of Blood)
SP-10 is called Xuehai in Chinese. It is one of the spleen meridian acupoints that help fibromyalgia. To locate SP-10, bend your knee ninety degrees and locate the point that is 2.5 inches away from your knee cap on the inner part of your thigh.
Stimulating SP-10 will increase the movement of blood in the body. It will also cool off your blood, regularize menstruation, and improve your skin condition. For this reason, SP-10 is clinically used to treat eczema, irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia, and urticaria.
Sp-10, together with the lv 13 acupuncture point, will help you solve a lot of digestive issues.
Acupoint: ST-32 (Other Names: Stomach-32/Fu Tu/Crouching Rabbit)
St-32 is a stomach meridian acupressure point that you need to know if you’re suffering from fibromyalgia. The Chinese refer to it as Futu which means Crouching Rabbit in English. This acupoint is located on the outside of the thigh, 6 cun above the knee cap.
When you stimulate Futu, it clears obstructions in the stomach meridian and relieves you of pain. This is why this acupoint is clinically used to treat paralysis on the lower parts of the body and pain in the lower back and knee.
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
St-36 is another stomach meridian acupressure point for people with fibromyalgia. Acupressure point ST-36 is the point below the front of each knee that is exactly four fingers from the bottom of the knee at the border of your shin bone.
In TCM, ST-36 is classified as the He-Sea of the Stomach Meridian, which means that it is the acupoint suitable for treating troublesome Qi in the meridian. Clinically, stimulating St-36 will relieve gastric pain, treat abdominal distention, and help manage asthma. It is also one of the acupressure points for allergy relief.
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
SP-6 is called Sanyinjiao in Chinese or Three Yin Intersection in English. To locate it, Place four fingers on your ankle such that the little finger is resting on the apex point of your ankle. The depression behind the tibia, around your fourth finger (the index finger) is SP-6.
Because of SP-6’s classification as the point where the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver Meridians crosses, SP-6 strengthens the spleen and stomach as well as brings harmony to the liver. So, it is effective in treating abdominal distention, muscular pain, dizziness, and edema. It is also one of the acupuncture points in the legs for fertility.
Acupoint: SP-9 (Other Names: Spleen-9/Yin Ling Quan/Yin Mound Spring)
SP-9 is another of the spleen meridian acupressure points for fibromyalgia. It is called Yinlingquan in Chinese which translates to Yin Mound Spring in English. To locate this acupoint, dig your thumb into the depression up the edge of the bone in your lower leg. That depression is SP-9.
Clinically, SP-9 is one of the acupressure points for knee pain. It is also effective in treating urine issues, edema, and abdominal distention.
Acupoint: GB-34 (Other Names: Gallbladder-34/Yang Ling Quan/Yang Mound Spring)
GB-34 is the third gallbladder acupressure point that helps fibromyalgia symptoms. It is called Yanglingquan in Chinese, and you’ll find this acupoint on the side of your lower leg, in the depression that precedes the head of your calf bone or fibula. It is the meeting point of the sinews.
For this reason, GB-34 is well-positioned to strengthen the sinews and joints, which is why it is one of the acupuncture points for hip pain. So, when you’re weak, you’re experiencing pains in the lower part of your body, or you feel like vomiting, massage GB-34.
Acupoint: Bl-40 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-40/Wei Zhong/Middle of the Crook)
Bl-40, Weizhong, or Supporting is the bladder meridian acupoint that helps fibromyalgia. You’ll find this acupoint at the central part of the back of the knee.
Classified as the He-Sea point of the urinary bladder, in TCM, BL-40 is well-positioned to treat issues like lumbar pain, pain in the abdomen, rashes, and pruritus. You can also learn how to unblock bladder meridian with BL-40.
Acupoint: Liv-3 (Other Names: Liver-3/Tai Chong/Supreme Rush)
Liv-3 is called Taichong in Chinese and Great Surge in English. It is the liver meridian acupressure for fibromyalgia. You’ll find Liv-3 on the top of your foot, two fingers away from the junction of your big toe and the next toe.
When you’re having the feeling of vertigo, you have a swelling in your eye, or you’re experiencing irregular menstruation, Liv-3 is the acupoint to stimulate. This acupoint is also one of the eustachian tube pressure points.
According to recent research, when you massage Liv-3, plus some other acupoints, you’ll help manage post-stroke depression.
