Acupoints Self-Treatment for Hay Fever

Acupoints Self-Treatment for

Hay Fever

Spring is here. Many of us suffer from hay fever, medically known as Allergic Rhinitis.

Here is a list of points that you can use at home with acupressure technique to help relieving the symptoms or prevent hay fever from occurring.

How to do acupressure

You can stimulate the points anytime you like when you have 10-15 minutes, even when you are reading or watching TV. It is carried out by putting pressure on the points with your thumb or index finger for about 5-6 seconds repeatedly with 5-6 seconds interval. You can do as long as you like but generally 2-3 minutes on each point and 2-3 times a day is sufficient. You want to use enough pressure that the points feel slightly uncomfortable but not painful. Also make sure not to hyperextend the thumb or finger and hurt your joints.

Points that are useful for Hay Fever

Each of these points is located bilaterally (on both sides of the body).

Bladder 2, Cuanzhu 攒竹

BL2 CuanZhu is located at the medial end of each eyebrow. Feel gently for a shallow dip in the bone. A great point for redness, pain and swelling of the eye.

(Imagine from research gate.net)

Large Intestine 20, Yingxiang 迎香

LI20 YingXiang is located at the midpoint either side of the nostrils, in the nasolabial groove (the line than forms when you smile). Great for congestion and sneezing.

(Image from acupressure.com.au)

Large Intestine 4, He Gu 合谷

LI4 He Gu is located on the hand between the thumb and first finger. Squeeze them together and at the highest point of the bulge of muscle is the point. Useful for painful swelling and reddening of the eyes, sore throat and headache.

(Image from mendacupuncture.com)

Liver 2, Xing Jian行间

Liv2 Xing Jian is located on the feet between the first and second toe, half a thumb’s

width from the margin of the web. Effective for red swollen and painful eyes and throat pain.

(Image from twelvemeridian.com)

Large Intestine 11 – Quchi 曲池

LI 11 is located at the end of the crease formed when you bend your arm. It is the outside end of the crease, the point is usually tender to press on most people.

(Image from synergyacupunctureandwellness.com)

Boost Immunity

Chinese medicine believes that the occurrence of most diseases are due to systematic weakness which allows pathogen to develop or invade. Therefore the core of the ancient Chinese medicine lies in prevention.

Here are two of the points which can strengthen our system but not all.

Stomach 36 – Leg Three Miles 足三里

St 36 is located about 4 fingerbreadths below the bottom of your kneecap and about one finger width outside your shin bone (tibia). It is one of the most powerful points for boosting immunity, promoting health and longevity.

It helps to balance out digestive and immune system, promotes blood production, build up energy reserves.

(Image from menacupuncture.com)

Lung 7 – Broken Sequence 列缺

Lu 7 is located about 2 fingerbreadths below your wrist crease on the thumb side. There is a bump that protrudes at this point called the styloid process. If we call the bump is like a hill, the point is located on the foot of the hill. It is felt like a little crevice on the bone hence the name broken sequence. Lu 7 helps to strengthen your bodies resistance but also reduces the symptoms. It is often used for common colds as well.

(Image from acupoints.org)

There are many acupuncture points we could use, and these depend on your presenting symptoms and underlying health. If after the self treatment your symptoms didn't relieve, you are advised come to see us and have a face to face consultation. A full diagnosis and health analysis will be carried out. Based on your underlying health condition, some different points may be prescribed, and if necessary we will give you acupuncture sessions as they are stronger treatments.