Self-Help Acupuncture Points

You can rub these acupuncture points if you show any of the symptoms I’ve listed below. They work with so many problems. I include one of these meridians and acupuncture points in each treatment.

The name of my favorite acupuncture point is P7 (also called Spirits Door or Shenmen in Chinese), and it’s located on the inside of the wrist near the little finger. I use this Big Picture treatment for patients who are struggling with clarification or decision making. For example, one of my new patients this week was facing a BIG decision. He was facing a decision about two job offers. He was vexed! I did this acupuncture point and, the next day, he was clear on what he had to do. In fact, I could see a big difference in his eyes. This point is extremely helpful for these purposes – just ask me for it. In Chinese Medicine, this is called “Daling,” it clarifies the heart and calms the spirit. P7 works with harmonizing the Stomach Meridian, too, and works with eliminating insomnia and nightmares, palpations and loss of voice as well as many other problems.

Another acupuncture point worth noting is TW5 or Outer Gate (Waiguan in Chinese). It works with protecting the Wei Qi, or Defensive Qi. I use this if I feel a wind-cold is affecting a patient. This acupuncture point is located in the back of your arm just a few fingers up from your wrist.

A common point on the face near the ear is SI 19, Palace of Hearing or Tinggong. Treatment in this area is used for earaches, tinnitus and hearing problems.