P. Sze 
Acupressure and acupuncture affect the health of your mind and body in numerous ways. Chinese have been using these healing practices since ancient times. According to NCBI Study (National Center for Biotechnology Information), these complementary techniques are used for over 2000 years for digestive disorders, menstrual disorders, fatigue, anxiety, hay fever, asthma, headache, arthritis, and back pain.
To maintain overall good health, BL 40 acupuncture point plays an important role. It directly affects your digestive system as it’s one of the bladder meridian acupuncture points and makes you feel lighter. It is located on the popliteal crease at the backside of your knee right in the depression between the semitendinosus and biceps femoris. Today, I will also talk about five other acupoints. And with the bl40 acupuncture point, you can use them to treat most common diseases such as cold, digestive issues, insomnia, high blood pressure, and back pain.
Acupoint: Bl-40 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-40/Wei Zhong/Middle of the Crook)
According to the NCBI study, there is a direct connection between the brain and the bl40 acupuncture point. Applying pressure on this acupressure point activates brain functions in specific areas of your body and improves neurohumoral regulation. It clears your body by discharging heat that soothes and relaxes the connecting vessels. Massaging this acupoint regulates your digestive system and provides you with a good night’s sleep. The urinary bladder 40 acupuncture point behind the knee is one of the most used acupoints for better health and wellbeing.
Location
It is located on the transverse crease midpoint at the backside of your knee (popliteal fossa), right in the depression between the semitendinosus and biceps femoris.
Action
You can massage this acupoint with your thumbs’ downwards. Gentle pressure is the best way to activate this acupoint.
Effects
Frees connecting vessels
- Clears Blood
- Soothes sinews
- Disinhibits the knees and lumbus
Acupoint: LI-4 (Other Names: Large Intestine-4/He Gu/Joining Valley)
He Gu or large intestine acupoint is medically used to treat neck pain, toothaches, headaches, facial pain, and stress. It has relieving wind impacts for better blood circulation, regulating healthy blood pressure, and treating strokes. This acupoint is also one of the thirteen acupressure points for eye strain after a long day.
Location
It is located on the dorsal part of your hands between the first and second metacarpal bones on the radial side of the middle of the second metacarpal bone. In simple words, it’s the highest point on your muscle when the index finger and thumb are close to each other.
Action
You can massage this acupoint with a firm and deep pressure to stimulate the region for about five to ten seconds.
Effects
- Cold Prevention
- Treats allergic reactions on the upper respiratory tract
- Relieves Stress and Anxiety
- Regulates healthy blood pressure
- Good for heart’s health
Acupoint: SI-3 (Other Names: Small Intestine-3/Hou Xi/Back Stream)
Location
It is located on the palm side of your hand’s little finger on the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint.
Action
It’s better to massage this acupoint by slowly rotating your thumb for about 20-30 seconds.
Effects
- Relaxes Mind
- Regulates Brain Functions
- Relieves Back, Neck, Elbows, Arms, Shoulders, and Knees fatigue
Acupoint: PC-6 (Other Names: Pericardium-6/Nei Guan/Inner Pass)
This acupoint is most commonly used to treat motion sickness, upset stomach, relieve nausea, and headaches. It is also one of the five awesome acupressure points for carpal tunnel.
Location
It is located below the wrist (Three-finger width) between the two tendons of your inner forearm.
Action
Massage this acupoint by applying downward pressure for about 4-5 seconds.
Effects
- Prevents Dyspepsia
- Prevents Palpitation
- Treats Chest Congestion
Acupoint: GB-31 (Other Names: Gallbladder-31/Feng Shi/Wind Market)
If you need help with sleeplessness and insomnia, this acupoint can be your remedy. It’s mostly used for sleep quality and brain functions. Besides insomnia, experts also recommend this as one of the nine great acupuncture points for hip pain.
Location
The easiest way to locate this acupoint is to stand still with your hands hanging freely. Your middle finger will be pointing at GB-31 with its tips.
Action
Massage this acupoint with your thumbs’ tips for 10-15 seconds firmly to activate it.
Effects
- Calms Nerves
- Relieves Anxiety and Stress
- Treats Insomnia
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
This acupoint is one of the most used ones for fatigue, stress, vomiting, nausea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. It clears and comforts your mind and eliminates heat from your body. Besides, if you have diabetes, this is an acupressure point for the pancreas that you can not miss.
Location
It is located along your shin bone outer boundary, four fingerbreadths below your knee cap.
Action
You can apply downward pressure with your thumb’s tips on this acupoint to stimulate this acupoint for about 5-10 seconds.
Effects
- Rectifies stomach spleen
- Regulates your Qi
- Prevents Diseases related to Stomach
- Dispels Pathogens
Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
