Kate Friedman, Glamour
Not feeling great? There are a lot of
little things you can do—get up and take a walk, chug some water, close
your eyes for a second and take some deep breaths. Or—and go with us
here— you could try acupressure , a technique from traditional Chinese medicine that helps prevent and treat discomfort. (Not to be confused with acupuncture—we'll
skip the needles for now.) Acupressure can be done on your own,
anywhere, anytime, simply by applying pressure to certain parts of your
body.
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"Acupressure encourages energy
flow through natural pathways in the body, sending it to all our
internal organs and limbs," explains Los Angeles–based acupuncturist and
herbalist Carrie Tanenbaum. "Acupressure helps restore a natural energetic flow, thus returning the body to a state of well-being."
Here,
Carrie shared with us how to use acupressure to treat five common
complaints that are especially common in women. Take notes!
1. For upper body pain
For pain or stiffness in the head, neck, throat, or face (Including headache, neck and jaw tension, toothache, sinuspain, or sore throat), gently massage the fleshy web between your thumb and index finger, known as Large Intestine 4 (He Gu).
2. For stomach discomfort
For
nausea, dizziness, anxiety, or motion sickness, put pressure on the
inside of the wrist, about three finger widths down from where your
wrist meets your hand. (This point can also be very helpful for
pregnant women experiencing morning sickness.) This spot is called
Pericardium 6 (Nei Guan).
[post_ads_2]3. When you're exhausted
For
fatigue, lowered immunity, or poor digestion and to promote overall
vitality, apply pressure to the spot four finger widths below the
kneecap and one finger width to the outside of the shinbone. "When you
press on the point, you should feel tenderness; then you know you are in
the right spot," Carrie explains. This area is called Stomach 36 (Zu
San Li). "Stomach 36 is one of the most important and commonly used
acupressure points. It is also called 'leg three miles' because it is
said that if you are so tired you can no longer walk, stimulating this
point will allow you to walk another three miles."
4. For indigestion
For
bloating, indigestion, intestinal gas, or lack of appetite, gently
massage the space between the sternum and the belly button, which is
called Ren 12 (Zhong Wan). Carrie suggests massaging this point gently,
or even just resting your hand over the area.
[post_ads_2]5. For period cramps
For
menstrual cramps or back pain during menstruation, apply pressure or
gently massage the tender point four finger widths below the groove
where the inner leg curves. This spot is known as Spleen 8 (Diji).
