Popular Acupressure Points

What Are Acupressure Points?

Acupressure points are specific anatomical locations where firm pressure can be applied to support the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these points sit along meridians — energy pathways connected to the body's organs and systems. Each point is found using anatomical landmarks, usually a small depression or hollow between bones, tendons, or muscles, and confirmed by a characteristic tenderness when you press it. Practitioners call the deep, dull sensation of a correctly pressed point the deqi response.

How Points Are Named

Every point has a standard name built from its meridian abbreviation and number. LI stands for Large Intestine, ST for Stomach, SP for Spleen, HT for Heart, PC for Pericardium, GB for Gallbladder, LV for Liver, and BL for Bladder. So LI4 (Hegu) is the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian, while ST36 (Zusanli) is the thirty-sixth point on the Stomach meridian. Each point also carries a Chinese name — Hegu means Union Valley — and a common English translation. A few points, such as Yintang, are extra points that do not belong to a specific meridian.

How to Use These Cards

Each card links to a full guide with the exact location, traditional uses, step-by-step stimulation instructions, research summaries, and precautions for one point. If you are new, a good starting set is LI4 (Hegu) for headaches and pain, PC6 (Neiguan) for nausea and anxiety, and ST36 (Zusanli) for digestion and energy — all three are easy to locate and among the most commonly used points. A useful rule of thumb: press at a 90-degree angle, hold for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, breathe steadily, and treat both sides of the body.