Insomnia is a fairly common sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some people experience short periods of insomnia for a few days or weeks, while others have insomnia for months at a time.
Acupressure may provide some relief for insomnia. Acupressure involves using physical touch to stimulate pressure points that correspond to different aspects of physical and mental health. While it can be done by a professional, you can also try stimulating pressure points on your own.
Here are 5 pressure points you can try for acupressure for sleep.
Bubbling spring
- Lie on your back with your knees bent so you can reach your feet with your hands.
- Take one foot in your hand and curl your toes.
- Feel for the depression of a bubbling spring point on the sole of your foot.
- Apply firm pressure and massage this point for a few minutes using circular or up-and-down motion.
Wind pool
- Clasp your hands together and gently open your palms with your fingers interlocked to create a cup shape with your hands.
- Use your thumb to apply a deep and firm pressure towards your mastoid bone behind your ears, using circular or up-and-down movements to massage this area for four to five seconds.
- Breathe deeply as you massage the area.
Spirit gate
- Gentle pressure in a circular or up-and-down movement the small, hollow space in the spirit gate point which is located at the crease on your outer wrist, below your pinkie finger.
- Continue for two to three minutes.
- Hold the left side of the point with gentle pressure for a few seconds, and then hold the right side.
- Repeat on the same area of your other wrist.
Inner frontier gate
- Turn your hands over so that your palms are facing up.
- Take one hand and count three finger widths down from your wrist crease.
- Apply a steady downward pressure between the two tendons in this location.
- Use a circular or up-and-down motion to massage the area for four to five seconds.
Three yin intersection
- Locate the highest point on your ankle.
- Count four finger widths up your leg, above your ankle.
- Apply deep pressure slightly behind your biggest lower-leg bone, massaging with circular or up-and -down motions for four to five seconds.