Which Acupressure Points Can I Press Myself at Home?
Point-by-point locations and gentle self-massage techniques from Traditional Chinese Medicine — no needles, no experience needed.
Quick answer
Yes — many TCM acupressure points are safe and simple to press yourself with just your fingers. The most commonly used self-care points include Zusanli (ST36) below the knee for energy and digestion, Sanyinjiao (SP6) above the inner ankle, Qihai (CV6) below the navel, and Baihui (GV20) at the crown of the head. Press gently for 1–2 minutes each; below you'll find where to find each point and how to work it.
Acupressure Points You Can Press Yourself
Each point below lists where to find it, what it may support, and a gentle self-massage technique. Use moderate pressure for 1–2 minutes, breathe slowly, and stop if anything feels painful.
Baihui GV20
Where: Crown of the head, midpoint of the line connecting both ears
May support: Raises yang qi, clears foggy head, lifts mental clarity
How to press: Light middle-finger press with eyes closed and deep breathing
Danshu BL19
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T10 spinous process
May support: Works with Ganshu to soothe liver and gallbladder, regulates emotions
How to press: Ask for help pressing both points together, 1 min
Danzhong CV17
Where: On the sternum, midpoint between the two nipples
May support: Meeting point of qi — opens the chest, relieves emotional depression
How to press: Middle finger press or rub with deep breathing, 2 min
Dazhui GV14
Where: In the depression below the C7 spinous process
May support: Invigorates yang, strengthens the governing role of yang qi in the body
How to press: Middle finger press or moxibustion, 2 min
Feishu BL13
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T3 spinous process
May support: Tonifies lung qi, reduces breathlessness and susceptibility to colds
How to press: Press with thumbs or ask for help, 1–2 min each side
Fenglong ST40
Where: 8 cun above the lateral malleolus, lateral to the tibialis anterior
May support: Premier point for dissolving phlegm and draining dampness
How to press: Firm thumb press until strong soreness, 2 min each side
Fengmen BL12
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T2 spinous process
May support: Dispels wind and pathogens, prevents allergic rhinitis and hives
How to press: Ask for help pressing, 1 min each side
Fuliu KD7
Where: 2 cun above Taixi, anterior to the Achilles tendon
May support: Tonifies kidney yin, consolidates sweating, builds yin reserves
How to press: Thumb press, 1–2 min each side
Ganshu BL18
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T9 spinous process
May support: Nourishes liver yin, relieves dry eyes, irritability and poor sleep
How to press: Ask for help pressing, or apply warmed palms
Gaohuangshu BL43
Where: 3 cun lateral to the lower border of T4 spinous process
May support: Deep-level tonification, consolidates deficiency and locks in gains
How to press: Ask for help pressing, or moxibustion 10 min
Geshu BL17
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T7 spinous process
May support: Meeting point of blood — regulates blood throughout the body
How to press: Ask for help or use a ball to roll against before sleep
Guanyuan CV4
Where: 3 cun below the navel, on the midline
May support: Strengthens the root, boosts immunity, warms cold extremities
How to press: Stack both hands and press gently with abdominal breathing
Hegu LI4
Where: On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals
May support: Clears heat, relieves head and face damp-heat symptoms
How to press: Pinch press, 1–2 min each side until strong soreness
Mingmen GV4
Where: In the depression below the spinous process of L2
May support: Warms the life gate fire, consolidates a full month of progress
How to press: Warm palms by rubbing, then press; moxibustion enhances effect
Neiguan PC6
Where: 2 cun above the wrist crease, between the two tendons
May support: Calms the heart and mind, integrates and stabilizes a full month of care
How to press: Thumb press, 1–2 min each side, before sleep
Neiting ST44
Where: On the dorsum of the foot, at the web between the 2nd and 3rd toes
May support: Clears stomach and intestinal damp-heat, relieves bad breath and gum pain
How to press: Thumb press, 1 min each side
Pishu BL20
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T11 spinous process
May support: Directly tonifies the spleen, improves digestion and absorption
How to press: Press both sides simultaneously with thumbs, or ask for assistance
Qihai CV6
Where: 1.5 cun below the navel, on the midline
May support: Cultivates original qi, relieves fatigue and shortness of breath
How to press: Gentle clockwise palm rub until warmth is felt
Qimen LR14
Where: In the 6th intercostal space, on the midclavicular line
May support: Liver alarm point — directly releases liver qi stagnation and chest tightness
How to press: Light middle finger press on both sides with deep breathing, 1 min each
Quchi LI11
Where: At the lateral end of the elbow crease when the elbow is flexed
May support: Clears heat and toxins, relieves skin issues, bitter taste and sticky stools
How to press: Firm thumb press, 2 min each side, heat sensation is ideal
Sanyinjiao SP6
Where: 3 cun above the medial malleolus, posterior to the tibia
May support: Harmonizes liver, spleen and kidney, nourishes qi and blood
How to press: Thumb press until soreness is felt, 1–2 min each side
Shenmen HT7
Where: At the ulnar end of the wrist crease, in the depression on the radial side
May support: Gate of the spirit — calms the heart and mind, relieves anxiety and insomnia
How to press: Light thumb press, 1 min each side, most effective before sleep
Shenque CV8
Where: Center of the navel
May support: Warms yang and disperses cold, improves cold abdomen and weak digestion
How to press: Clockwise palm rub 5 min; salt moxibustion for deeper effect
Shenshu BL23
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of L2 spinous process
May support: Strengthens the kidney root, providing foundational support for spleen qi
How to press: Gentle knuckle tapping on both sides, 1 min each
Shuifen CV9
Where: 1 cun above the navel
May support: Separates and drains dampness, improves fluid metabolism
How to press: Middle finger press with abdominal breathing, 2 min
Taibai SP3
Where: Behind the big toe, below the first metatarsal joint
May support: Source point of the spleen meridian, fundamentally tonifies spleen qi
How to press: Thumb press with circular massage
Taichong LR3
Where: On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression behind the first metatarsal space
May support: Soothes liver and nourishes yin, prevents liver yin deficiency heat
How to press: Thumb press from light to firm, 1–2 min each side
Taixi KD3
Where: In the depression between the medial malleolus and Achilles tendon
May support: Kidney source point — nourishes kidney yin to support yang
How to press: Moderate thumb pressure, 1–2 min each side
Tianshu ST25
Where: 2 cun lateral to the navel, bilateral
May support: Regulates the large intestine, promotes elimination, relieves abdominal bloating
How to press: Press both sides simultaneously with index fingers, 1 min
Xingjian LR2
Where: On the dorsum of the foot, at the web between the 1st and 2nd toes
May support: Clears liver fire, relieves red eyes and irritability
How to press: Thumb press, 1 min each side
Xinshu BL15
Where: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of T5 spinous process
May support: Nourishes heart yin, reduces night sweats and restlessness
How to press: Ask for help pressing, 1 min each side
Xuehai SP10
Where: 2 cun above the medial knee, on the vastus medialis
May support: Cools blood and clears heat, consolidates damp-heat clearing
How to press: Thumb press, 1–2 min each side
Yanglingquan GB34
Where: In the depression anterior-inferior to the fibular head
May support: Meeting point of sinews — soothes gallbladder, relieves tension from stress
How to press: Thumb press, 1–2 min each side
Yingxiang LI20
Where: At the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi, in the nasolabial groove
May support: Opens the nasal passages, relieves allergic rhinitis and congestion
How to press: Middle finger press both sides, 1 min each
Yinlingquan SP9
Where: In the depression below the medial condyle of the tibia
May support: Strengthens spleen and drains dampness, relieves edema and heaviness
How to press: Thumb press, moderate pressure, 2 min each side
Yinxi HT6
Where: 0.5 cun above the wrist crease, radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris
May support: Heart cleft point — clears heart fire, stops night sweats, calms the mind
How to press: Thumb press, 1 min each side, best before sleep
Yongquan KD1
Where: In the depression at the anterior third of the sole
May support: Origin of the kidney meridian, grounds qi and stabilizes the whole body
How to press: Press after a warm foot soak before bed, 3 min each side
Zhaohai KD6
Where: 1 cun below the medial malleolus
May support: Nourishes yin and descends fire, relieves dry mouth, insomnia and heat
How to press: Light thumb press, 1 min each side
Zhigou TE6
Where: 3 cun above the dorsal wrist crease, between the radius and ulna
May support: Promotes bowel movement, ensures damp-heat has an exit route
How to press: Thumb press, 1 min each side
Zhongwan CV12
Where: 4 cun above the navel, midpoint between sternum and navel
May support: Regulates stomach and spleen, relieves bloating and poor appetite
How to press: Rub with three fingers, 1 hour after meals
Zusanli ST36
Where: 3 cun below the knee, one finger lateral to the tibia
May support: Tonifies middle qi, strengthens digestion, boosts overall energy
How to press: Press with thumb pad, moderate pressure, 2 min each side
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Is it safe to do acupressure on myself?
For gentle self-massage on the common points below, yes — acupressure uses finger pressure, not needles. Use moderate pressure for 1–2 minutes per point, stop if anything feels painful, and skip acupressure over injuries, and during pregnancy avoid points on the lower abdomen, lower back, and certain leg points. Check with your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition.
How hard should I press an acupressure point?
Moderate pressure — enough to feel a mild soreness or "full" sensation (in TCM called deqi), never sharp pain. Press with the pad of your thumb or middle finger, hold or make small circles, and breathe slowly. Less is more; gentle and consistent beats hard and brief.
How long and how often should I do acupressure?
About 1–2 minutes per point, once or twice a day is plenty for general wellness. Many people do a short routine in the morning to get going, or in the evening to wind down. Consistency over weeks matters more than long single sessions.
Do I need to find the exact spot?
Close is good enough for self-acupressure. Use the landmarks in each description (for example, "3 finger-widths below the knee"), then feel for a slightly tender or "deeper" spot nearby — that tenderness usually means you've found it. You don't need pinpoint accuracy for gentle self-care.
Last updated: 2026-07-13
This page offers general TCM educational perspectives, not medical advice or a diagnosis. For any health concern, please consult a licensed healthcare professional.