The field of reflexology has been studied by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, identifying the nerve endings of energy pathways within the body that are present in the hands and feet. These energy pathways each have unique properties, affecting different aspects of our physiology in specific ways.
According to practitioners of reflexology, applying the appropriate touch to the hands can energize and restore health to other body parts, including internal organs if you’re feeling tired or have a disease.
Below, we have listed some of the most important pressure points that you can use to affect your body in unique ways:
1. The heart pressure point is located in the crease of your wrist. It lies in line with the space between your ring and pinkie finger. There’s a bone directly in line next to this pressure point. Practitioners of reflexology claim that applying gentle pressure to this spot may protect against anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, and depression.
2. The small intestine pressure point can be found at the outside part of your hand, right on the edge. The point lies in the depression of your hand just below your pinkie finger. Practitioners of reflexology believe that putting firm pressure on this point is thought to relieve neck pain, earaches, and headaches that occur at the back of your head.
3. The lung meridian pressure point is located at the edge of your hand. It runs from the tip of your thumb down along the side of your hand, ending just beneath the crease of your wrist.
Run your finger along this line. If you find a sore spot along this line, practitioners of reflexology say you should gently massage it until it feels better. This may help relieve any cold symptoms, such as chills, sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat.
4. The inner gate point is located in a special spot on the crease of your wrist. Hold out your hands as if you’re receiving a gift, with your wrists together. Take one hand and feel about 3 cms out from where your wrists were touching in the middle. Practitioners of reflexology recommend you massage this point firmly with your thumb. This is believed to improve your digestion and relieve any nausea or stomach pain.
5. The outer gate point is located between two tendons on the backside of the arm. Place three fingers from your other hand above your wrist. Use those fingers to apply firm pressure to this part of your hand to potentially give your immune system a quick boost. Practitioners of reflexology also believe applying pressure to this part of the hand could give you a rush of energy.
6. The wrist point, as the name suggests, is located on your wrist. Run a finger down your pinkie to your wrist crease, keeping it in line with your finger. Practitioners of reflexology claim that firmly pressing on your wrist point regularly may help promote happiness by regulating your emotions.
7. The hand valley point is located in the firm skin between the thumb and index finger. Practitioners of reflexology claim that applying firm touch to this pressure point may help reduce stress, as well as alleviate migraines, toothaches, shoulder tension, and neck pain.
While these are some pressure points that can be used to alleviate certain common symptoms, it is advisable to consult an expert for problems that are more persistent or complex. Get in touch with our reflexology experts at Yinyang to learn more!
