Neck Pain: Move Qi with Self-Acupressure
The neck is the thoroughfare of qi, blood, and fluids between the head and body. All of the meridians directly or indirectly connect to the neck. Thus it’s crucial to maintain healthy flow of energy and material through the cervical region. Pain occurs when the flow is obstructed. Pressing on acupuncture points along the meridians of the neck can help alleviate and prevent neck and shoulder pain, strain, and weakness by activating flow of qi and blood in this region.
Duration: 5 minutes
Treats: chronic cases of pain and tension in neck, radiating to shoulder, possibly with numbness/tingling in arm and hand. Usually one side of the neck down to the arm is affected. Focus on applying acupressure to this side.
Each acupuncture point is usually at a depression upon touch, and will feel sore when pressed. Press each point with intention, breathing into that area and visualizing the smooth flow of energy from that acupoint through the arm and shoulder to the neck and head.
3 types of pressing used here: circle-press, point-press, tap-press
circle-press: press acupoint slowly and repeatedly in circular motion without lifting finger
point-press: press acupoint slowly and repeatedly, lifting finger between presses
tap-press: tap acupoint and repeatedly, letting tap bounce each time
If you are unsure, consult with your health care provider(s) before attempting any new exercise.
10 Self-Acupressure Exercises for Neck and Shoulder Pain
1. LI-4 Hegu
location: between the thumb and index finger, at midpoint of second metacarpal bone
circle-press on affected side 36x
2. Chongxian
location: on palm at fleshy pad of thumb, in depression 1 cun off base of first metacarpal bone
point-press on affected side 36x
3. SI-3 Houxi
location: make a loose fist, below pinky finger on edge of hand, at head of fifth metacarpal bone
point-press on affected side 36x
4. LI-10 Shousanli
location: flex elbow 90 degrees with palm facing down, point located 2 cun distal to elbow crease on back of forearm
circle-press on affected side 36x
5. HT-3 Shaohai
location: with palm facing up, pointed located at medial end of elbow crease
point-press on affected side 36x
6. LU-3 Tianfu
location: on anterior of upper arm, 3 cun distal to armpit
circle-press on affected side 36x
7. LI-14 Binao
location: on posterior of upper arm, at distal tip of deltoid muscle
circle-press on affected side 36x
8. ST-12 Quepeng
location: above midpoint of clavicle
circle-press with three fingers slowly on affected side 36x
9. GB-21 Jianjing
location: midway between cervical vertebrae and acromion, on top of shoulder (most tender point)
tap-press with three fingers on affected side 36x
10. GB-20 Fengchi
location: at the base of the back of head, at depression between SCM muscle and trapezius muscle
tap-press with three fingers of both hands on both sides 36x
