5 Pressure Points For Thigh Cramps

The human body is a vessel of power that should be protected and nurtured for a long, healthy life. Unfortunately, however, the human body can sometimes undergo discomforts such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, leg pain, cramps, and more. Keep reading for a list of the best pressure points for thigh cramps.

How To Relieve Muscle Cramps In Your thighs

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Several exciting, beneficial attributes stem from practicing acupressure and acupuncture. Not to mention, some of these pressure points are useful for other health conditions. When it comes to pressure points for cramps in the legs, you can stimulate various pressure points to relieve discomfort. 

A group of 64 patients suffering from hemodialysis was split into two smaller groups. One group received a placebo, while the other received acupressure treatment. Acupressure is known to improve muscle metabolism by releasing natural energy throughout the body. 

The overall goal is to deliver a natural pain-free experience that promotes blood flow throughout the body. Poor leg circulation and muscle cramps result from poor blood flow and should be treated as they can result in painful thigh cramps, making daily life difficult. 

For Front Thigh Cramps

Acupoint: Bl-38 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-38/Fu Xi/Superficial Cleft)

First on the list of pressure points for thigh cramps is Bl-38. It’s one of the best acupressure points for thigh cramps because it can relieve muscle pain, muscle tension, and numbness in the legs. Additionally, it relaxes the muscles and can clear heat in your thighs. This acupoint is located at the back of your knee.

You’ll want to sit on the floor or on a bed to locate this pressure point. Next, bend the leg’s knee that is cramping and form a triangle shape. Using the hand that aligns with the cramping leg, place your index, middle, and ring fingers behind your knee with your thumb resting on your thigh above the knee. Motion your fingers up and down with a firm grip on the muscle. 

Acupoint: Bl-36 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-36/Cheng Fu/Hold and Support)

Bl-36 is one of the pressure points in the buttocks that will help alleviate thigh cramps. Not only is it one of the best pressure points for thigh cramps, but it can also aid in treatment for hemorrhoids. Stimulating this acupoint helps soothe pain in the lower back and buttocks area. 

You’ll find this pressure point directly below the buttocks on the posterior side of your thigh in the center of the gluteal fold. Once you locate this acupoint, turn your leg to the upper side, bend your knees, and lie down. This will give you a better position to exercise the pressure point. With four fingers, repeatedly apply pressure for 2-3 seconds for the best results.  

For Back Thigh Cramps

Acupoint: ST-31 (Other Names: Stomach-31/Bi Guan/Thigh Gate)

One of the most common areas in the legs to get muscle pain is the rectus femoris. These muscles on the front of your thighs begin at the groin area and extend slightly past the knees. 

When you experience leg cramps, one of the first acupoints to stipulate is near this area. ST-31 sits at the upper part of your thigh near the bend. Place your thumb on the pressure point and apply light pressure in circular motions.

Acupoint: SP-11 (Other Names: Spleen-11/Ji Men/Separation Gate)

Also known as the Winnower Gate, SP-11 is one of the pressure points for thigh cramps that can help make a significant impact in your daily life. Not only does it help with painful muscle knots, but it is also used to treat urinary issues and swelling or pain in the groin area. This acupoint ats at the center of your thigh, approximately 1 to 2 finger-widths to the inner thigh. 

The best way to stimulate this acupoint is to sit on the floor, bend your knees slightly and tilt your thighs. Next, you’ll want to apply light pressure to the acupoint with your thumb with the hand on the same side as your leg. You can use the remaining four fingers as support around your thighs. In a repetitive motion,  press and release for 2 to 3 seconds to reduce muscle tightness. 

To Prevent Cramps

Acupoint: Bl-28 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-28/Pang Guang Shu/Bladder Transporter)

Last but not least, the Bl-28 acupoint is another one of the best pressure points for thigh cramps. This acupoint is also known as one of the acupressure points for the bladder. It helps improve problematic urination conditions as well as pain in your lower back and buttocks area. 

Additional benefits include promoting good blood flow in the lower body.

As a result, daily stimulation can help with cystitis, constipation, and coldness, to name a few. This pressure point can be found at the top curve of the buttocks area, approximately two finger widths from the center. Apply firm pressure and stimulate for 5 to 10 seconds to help massage the muscle tissue.

Author: P. Sze

P. Sze P. Sze is the founder of TCM Tips and Dragon Acupuncture®. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honor in Civil Engineering. S he also holds a master’s degree in Engineering and is the brain behind the innovative TCM products of Dragon Acupuncture®. She is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Auricular Therapy: Application of Ear Seeds (ISBN 978-1520451398) and Facial Gua Sha - Fight the Signs of Aging Naturally and Inexpensively (ISBN 978-1980678922). She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the complex theories behind oriental medicine and the seemingly dangerous techniques that involve needles and fire do not scare you from trying oriental medicine. This is why she writes endlessly about acupressure and its countless health and wellness benefits.

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