P. Sze 
The Heart Meridian is an essential part of your mind, body, and soul. Also known as the Emperor of Sovereign Fire in Chinese Medicine, together, the heart meridian and organ control the opening of the blood vessels and promote good blood flow throughout the body. In this article, I’ll cover the most important heart meridian points you can stimulate with the use of Acupressure.
What Does The Heart Meridian Do?
First and foremost, defining what is heart meridian and what it does will shed light on the extreme benefits of these acupuncture points. In Chinese Medicine, the heart meridian focuses on the mind and emotional state of your well-being.
Some acupoints, such as HT-7, can positively affect your heart rate. Studies show that acupuncture at HT-7 can be beneficial for healthy patients. With electroacupuncture stimulation, studies show heart meridian points can elevate your brain activity in some regions, such as the postcentral gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus, to name a few. This helps arbitrate the cognitive, memory, somatosensory, and other brain functions.
Where Is The Heart Meridian?
Now that we’ve covered what the heart meridian can do, here are some places you can find it and how to stimulate the acupoint for the best experience. You might be surprised to find that the heart meridian is located in some of the most unexpected places of the human body.
Acupoint: HT-1 (Other Names: Heart-1/Ji Quan/Highest Spring)
The first of many heart meridian points on this list is the pressure point HT-1. It’s closely related to the heart, making it effective in treating heart disease. Some additional benefits of stimulating this acupoint include relieving stress, mental fatigue, and hysteria. Not to mention, it’s one of the acupressure points for swollen glands.
You can find HT-1 located in the armpit. Place your fingers against your armpit with your arm down. Apply gentle pressure to the center of your armpit while slowly pointing forward. This will remove stagnation of your shoulders and arms. Additionally, it promotes Qi and blood flow while restoring firmness to any loose skin in your upper arms.
Acupoint: HT-4 (Other Names: Heart-4/Ling Dao/Spirit Path)
HT-4 is located on the forearm, specifically on the radial side of the tendon. It sits approximately 2 finger-widths from the crease of your wrist. Not only can this pressure point reduce stress, but it has a calming effect when panic and anxiety begin to set in. This acupoint is ideal for helping calm high-stress levels and benefits muscle strength and even your voice.
Apply slow pressure and release for 10 seconds. Repeat this process three to five times. Due to its location near other Heart meridian points, you can gently massage your wrist and experience a sense of relaxation. Remember that this acupoint is delicate, so you’ll want to be gentle with it.
Acupoint: HT-5 (Other Names: Heart-5/Tong Li/Inward Connection)
Another helpful heart meridian point is HT-5, also known as the Inward Connection. On the hand acupressure points chart, this pressure point is located near the crease of your wrist, one finger below the HT-7 acupoint. The Inward Connection acupoint is excellent for treating chronic diseases. It’s also valuable for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms such as depression and frustration.
Other great benefits include but are not limited to dizziness and mental disorders such as insomnia and hysteria. Apply firm pressure while slowly exhaling and hold for 5 seconds. Then, slowly inhale and relax your fingers for another 5 seconds. Repeat this process 5 to 10 times.
Acupoint: HT-7 (Other Names: Heart-7/Shen Men/Spirit Gate)
Sometimes life can be challenging due to relationships, work, and other inevitable instances. These can increase anxiety levels, and for some, become unrelenting. Ultimately, this disturbs the autonomic nerve functions, causing various health disorders. This acupoint is located at the wrist crease, on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.
The HT-7 is excellent when it comes to heart meridian blockage. It helps relax emotions and tension throughout the body. It is also one of the acupressure points for trapezius pain and can help restore the health of your skin.
Acupoint: HT-8 (Other Names: Heart-8/Shao Fu/Lesser Mansion)
The next pressure point on this list is HT-8. While it can create a calming effect on the mind, it is also one of the acupressure points for numbness in hands. To find this pressure point, you’ll want first to make a fist. HT-8 sits at the tip where your pinky meets your palm. Gently massage in a circular motion with your thumb and enjoy a wave of relaxation.
Acupoint: HT-9 (Other Names: Heart-9/Shao Chong/Lesser Surge)
HT-9 sits approximately one finger width from the corner of your pinky fingernail. Some notable effects of this pressure point include relaxing stress and anxiety levels, palpitation, insomnia, and neurogenic gastritis. Apply pressure for a few minutes, and your unwanted feelings will evaporate.
