Arm & Wrist
Arm and wrist acupressure covers points with surprising reach: PC6 at the wrist for nausea and motion sickness, LI4 at the thumb web for headaches, and several forearm points for localized arm and wrist pain.
Why Do Arm and Wrist Acupressure Points Matter?
The arms and wrists carry some of the most versatile points in the entire system — locations that treat complaints far beyond the limb itself. LI4 near the thumb web is a classic target for headaches and toothaches, while PC6 at the wrist is traditionally used for nausea, motion sickness, and anxiety, and LU7 keeps the pattern pointing at neck and head complaints. For problems in the limb itself, such as repetitive strain, tennis-elbow discomfort, wrist pain, and general fatigue, the same band of forearm points provides local relief. These locations pair naturally with our guides to acupressure for nausea, headaches, and neck pain.
Classically, PC6 sits on the Pericardium meridian, LI4 and LI10 on the Large Intestine meridian, and LU7 on the Lung meridian — pathways that link the arms to the head, chest, and digestion. Physically, the wrist and forearm pack dense nerve structures close to the surface, and sustained pressure in these channels is traditionally linked to easing nausea signals and relaxing tense forearm muscles. PC6 has been among the most researched acupressure points since the nausea studies of the 1980s, which is why it appears so often in clinical and self-care contexts.
What Are the Key Points in This Region?
These points cover both local wrist and forearm complaints and distant effects. Choose by standing symptom, such as nausea, headache, or wrist strain.
Points in this region
LI4 (Hegu) · Union Valley
Headaches, toothaches, immune support
PC6 (Neiguan) · Inner Pass
Nausea, anxiety, motion sickness
LU7 (Lieque) · Broken Sequence
Headaches, neck stiffness, cough
LI10 (Shousanli) · Arm Three Miles
Forearm pain, tennis elbow, fatigue
SI3 (Houxi) · Back Stream
Wrist pain, neck stiffness, back pain
How Do You Stimulate Arm and Wrist Points?
These points are best reached with the pad of your thumb on the opposite hand. Rest the arm on a stable surface, press at a 90-degree angle, and deepen the pressure gradually over 10–15 seconds until you feel a deep, dull ache (deqi). Hold for 30–60 seconds, then repeat on the other arm. Keep the wrist relaxed and the pressure steady rather than squeezing. LI4 should not be pressed during pregnancy, and if any point causes sharp pain or tingling, ease off immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is PC6 for nausea?
Can wrist acupressure really stop motion sickness?
How long should I press these points?
Acupressure has been evaluated in clinical trials for pain, nausea, anxiety, and sleep, with evidence described as promising but requiring further high-quality research.
— Lee EJ, Frazier SK. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2011;42(4):589-603. PMID 21531533.
Verifiable sources
- Lee EJ, Frazier SK. The efficacy of acupressure for symptom management: a systematic review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2011;42(4):589-603. PMID 21531533 · DOI
- Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Son H, Choi SM, Lee S. Effect of self-acupressure for symptom management: a systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(1):68-78. PMID 25637155 · DOI
General evidence for acupressure from published systematic reviews. See condition-specific pages for targeted studies.