P. Sze 
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, the most natural thing to do is massage the shoulder. However, there are other specific pressure points on the human body that can help alleviate any shoulder pain that you might not expect, such as your hand. This article highlights the top three acupressure points on hand for shoulder pain.
The human body never ceases to amaze. There are hundreds of various pressure points in the human body, and each serves a distinct purpose, such as relieving nausea, pain, or anxiety.
During my deep dive into the effectiveness of acupressure for shoulder tension, I unearthed several reasons why acupressure is beneficial for people experiencing chronic pain. Whether it is from poor posture, muscle strain, or post-surgery, acupressure is an overwhelmingly soothing form of therapeutic release.
With that being said, let’s get into a few easy-to-find acupressure points for relaxing shoulder muscles.
How Acupuncture Helps Shoulder Pain?
Acupuncture is the process of releasing chemical compounds in the human body that help alleviate pain, allowing blood circulation to flow freely. The hand features over 400 acupressure points that can help bring instant relief. The effectiveness of acupressure is powerful and can help improve the way of living if performed correctly.
In a study conducted for shoulder tip pain, two patients underwent acupressure therapy during their post-Laparoscopic surgery. The effect was in their left kidney meridian for pain experienced in the right shoulder.
Both patients encountered immediate relief as their shoulder muscles felt more relaxed, promoting proper blood circulation. This goes to show that even if you are experiencing discomfort on one part of the body, it can be eased by applying pressure to an acupoint on a different part of the body.
Can Acupuncture Cure Shoulder Pain?
Acupuncture is known to help relieve shoulder tension and increase blood circulation to reduce inflammation and shoulder pain. Studies show that acupoint massages have a positive effect on periarthritis of the shoulder. In turn, improving shoulder joint movement while relieving pain.
Sometimes the shoulder pain will disappear, but this is not always the case. It is good to perform acupuncture and acupressure often as a preventative measure.
What Pressure Point Relieves Shoulder Pain?
Pressure Points LU-10, SI-3, and TE-4 are some of the easy acupressure points on hand for shoulder pain. They are accessible and bring instant relief. Not to mention, these exercises can easily be performed at home by yourself. A study of myofascial origin in patients displayed reduced chronic pain in the shoulders after just 6 sessions of a new acupressure technique called collateral meridian therapy. The study lasted for a duration of 4 weeks.
Acupoint: LU-10 (Other Names: Lung-10/Yu Ji/Fish Border)
Pressure Point LU-10, also known as Fish Border, is a lung meridian acupoint that helps with asthma, fever, stomachaches, sore throat, and shoulder pain, making it the first on our list for shoulder tension. The pressure point is located on the midpoint of the thumb’s first metacarpal bone.
The hand acupressure points chart above showcases the direct location of LU-10 on the hand where the lighter part of your skin meets the darker skin. The pressure point is known as a heat expeller for the lung meridian.
Acupoint: SI-3 (Other Names: Small Intestine-3/Hou Xi/Back Stream)
SI-3 is a Small Intestine acupressure point that directly connects to the spine through the shoulders, neck, and scapula. It is another pressure point that promotes and maintains good health. But when it comes down to acupressure points for shoulder and arm pain, the SI-3 is a prime pressure point. To activate, create a loose fist, and you will locate the point at the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease.
Additionally, SI-3 can help clear heat from the head, ears, eyes and reduce earaches and visual dizziness, among other benefits. When pressure is applied in conjunction with other local points, it can also aid headaches and night sweats.
Acupoint: TE-4 (Other Names: Triple Energizer-4/Yang Chi/Yang Pool)
TE-4 is a pressure point located at the crease of the wrist at the back of the hand. Specifically, in between the endpoints of the bones of the ring finger and middle finger. Not only is it an excellent point for shoulder tension, but it is one of the best acupressure points in hand for weight loss, gastric pain, and quitting smoking.
If you suffer from always being cold, stiff shoulders, or severe menstrual cramps, TE-4 can help improve blood flow. When this pressure point is activated, it promotes heat circulation throughout the body.
How to Perform Acupressure?
Now that we’ve covered the essential acupressure points for shoulder pain in hands, how does one perform the act of acupressure? It’s pretty simple actually but can vary depending on the location of the pressure point. Using your fingers, simply apply light pressure to the pressure points and massage for a few seconds. It also helps to stretch to help with blood circulation. Do this a few times a day, week, or months, and you should start to feel a refreshing difference.
It can vary from a few seconds to several minutes when it comes to how long you should massage a pressure point. Before starting, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Relax, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. It’s important not always to expect instant relief. Depending on the severity of the discomfort, regular massages will help reduce the pain in the long run.
