When you consider all the drug-free strategies for restful sleep, you’ll find that acupressure is a practical solution for relieving insomnia. Pressing the especial points along nervous system pathways can aid in stimulating energy flow throughout the body, and help to treat the sleeping problem.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are a number of points most commonly used to treat insomnia; here are three of those points which can help you to sleep better. If you find yourself awake late at night, you can simply press on the points yourself to find some relief and get back to sleep.
Shen-Men Point
Shen-Men point is located on the inside of the wrist crease. Find the spot in line with your pinky finger, where the bones of your arm and wrist meet. In Chinese Shen-Men means Sprite Gate, this point can tonify deficiencies of the Qi and Blood, balance Yin and Yang. Stimulate Shen-Men can increase melatonin production, the hormone that helps control sleep cycles.
【Steps】
Sit or lie down, hand up. Take deep breath.
Press down on the point with your thumb, gradually increasing the pressure for 3 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Adjust pressure until you feel an area of tension.
Do this on both right and left arms if necessary.
Nei-Guan Point
Nei-Guan point is located at the inner wrist “hollow”, two and a half finger widths up from the wrist crease, in the middle of the inner arm. In Chinese Nei means inner, Guan means Pass, Nei-Guan refers to its capability to resolve inner blockages in the chest region. Actions of Nei-Guan Point can calm the heart, settle the minds, and regulate tension. This point is often used to alleviate insomnia, irritability, hypertension, and mental disorders.
【Steps】
Sit or lie down, hand up. Take deep breath.
Apply medium pressure with your thumb for about 1 minute.
You can also gently massage the area if desired.
Switch arms and repeat.
Tai-Chong Point
Tai-Chong Point is located at the depression at the top of the foot, where the first and second metatarsal bones meet. Tai-Chong means Great Surge in Chinese, this point can release out the dampness Qi gathered in the area. This point is useful in the treatment of insomnia, anger, irritability and anxiety.
【Steps】
Prepare before sleep; have a foot bath before the treatment if possible.
Press thumb on the point firmly, gradually increasing the pressure for 1-2 minutes. Then switch another foot and repeat.
Press one foot up to 5 minutes.
