Image: A handwritten note reads “Our favorites tell us something about ourselves…”
I love reading and answering people’s questions about acupuncture and healing, but every now and then I like to turn the tables and ask YOU a question.
So here’s today’s question…
Do you have a favorite acupuncture point? If you don’t know the point name, a physical description is fine (i.e., the point at the top of the head). What do you love about it?
I'll go first. My favorite point to needle on other people is Du 20, the point at the top of the head, aka Bai Hui or One Hundred Meetings. All of the body's yang channels converge at this point, and I usually needle it first, to help a person relax into their body before I start placing more needles. My favorite points to have needled on me are Kidney 3 (behind the inner ankle bone) and Gallbladder 40 (in the depression below the outer ankle bone). Both points feel very grounding and fortifying to me, and I love to massage them on myself at the end of the day.
That's a favorite of mine too. The Chinese name is Yin Tang which means Inner Palace - helps with vision, mental clarity, and inner wisdom. Such a powerful point!
My favorite point is the top of the head. This point makes me feel relaxed and calm. It is my entry point into the relaxing session I am about to embark upon. It gives me the same relaxing feeling that I receive when I walk into the clinic. It's like my body remembers and knows that this is my comfort place.
I'm still experimenting with them and learning I think. I've been learning acupressure points - and learning that a couple I had tried and thought "did nothing", I actually had the point wrong. I've been massaging Kidney 3 before bed but I'm going to try adding GB40. And I didn't know about DU20!
Right now I'm wondering what points are most supportive to release old, stored, stuck emotions and support that release.
I love Large Intestine 4 (fleshy area between thumb and forefinger) and Liver 3 (on the top of the foot, between 1st and second metatarsals) for releasing anything stuck. That combination is called Four Gates, and it's like opening the floodgates to release pent-up energy and emotions. When you're going acupressure, you can do a figure-8 pattern - so massage the right hand for a few minutes, then move to the left foot, then right foot, then end with the left hand. It's powerful!
Actually Gallbladder 40 works great to relax the shoulders. You can also press on Gallbladder 20 (base of the skull) and Gallbladder 21 (top of the shoulder). Gallbladder 21 is usually VERY tender on me so I use light pressure there.
I'll go first. My favorite point to needle on other people is Du 20, the point at the top of the head, aka Bai Hui or One Hundred Meetings. All of the body's yang channels converge at this point, and I usually needle it first, to help a person relax into their body before I start placing more needles. My favorite points to have needled on me are Kidney 3 (behind the inner ankle bone) and Gallbladder 40 (in the depression below the outer ankle bone). Both points feel very grounding and fortifying to me, and I love to massage them on myself at the end of the day.
Thanks for this, I was going to ask you!
My favorite point, as you know, is in the middle of my forehead between the eyebrows.
That's a favorite of mine too. The Chinese name is Yin Tang which means Inner Palace - helps with vision, mental clarity, and inner wisdom. Such a powerful point!
My favorite point is the top of the head. This point makes me feel relaxed and calm. It is my entry point into the relaxing session I am about to embark upon. It gives me the same relaxing feeling that I receive when I walk into the clinic. It's like my body remembers and knows that this is my comfort place.
Love that! The body does indeed remember
I love pericardium six! Relaxing, turning inwards.
Yes! I love that one too. Such an important point.
I'm still experimenting with them and learning I think. I've been learning acupressure points - and learning that a couple I had tried and thought "did nothing", I actually had the point wrong. I've been massaging Kidney 3 before bed but I'm going to try adding GB40. And I didn't know about DU20!
Right now I'm wondering what points are most supportive to release old, stored, stuck emotions and support that release.
I love Large Intestine 4 (fleshy area between thumb and forefinger) and Liver 3 (on the top of the foot, between 1st and second metatarsals) for releasing anything stuck. That combination is called Four Gates, and it's like opening the floodgates to release pent-up energy and emotions. When you're going acupressure, you can do a figure-8 pattern - so massage the right hand for a few minutes, then move to the left foot, then right foot, then end with the left hand. It's powerful!
Thank you! I know those points, haven't tried using them this way!
I’d really love to know what supports getting my shoulders to relax too! Current source of pain.
Actually Gallbladder 40 works great to relax the shoulders. You can also press on Gallbladder 20 (base of the skull) and Gallbladder 21 (top of the shoulder). Gallbladder 21 is usually VERY tender on me so I use light pressure there.
Thank you!