Acupressure for Allergies

Do you suffer from occasional seasonal allergies? Or maybe your allergies are chronic and year-round. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), more than 100 million people suffer from allergies in the United States, with almost 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children experiencing seasonal allergies. Here in San Antonio, we're very familiar with year-round allergies. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to help combat allergy symptoms at home, using just your hands.

Acupressure uses the acupuncture channel system to gently stimulate points to help regulate imbalances within the body. Each point is located along a channel that flows through the body, with specific points offering different indications for certain issues.

Acupressure is gentle enough to use on children and the elderly. There are a few guidelines to follow when practicing acupressure on yourself or others.

Acupressure Tips

Do not practice acupressure on areas with a cut, swelling, rash or scar tissue. If pregnant, don’t try acupressure at home without consulting with a licensed acupuncturist.

Start with light pressure using your finger and gradually apply more pressure evenly and gently. Continue holding the point with firm pressure for 30 seconds, up to 3 minutes. Gently lift your finger off the point. Repeat several times per day, as needed. 

You’ll know you’re in the right spot if the point feels achey, tense, or sore. Acupressure should never cause pain. All points are located on both sides of the body, except for the

points along the midline. 

Acupressure Points for Allergies

Try stimulating a few of these points throughout the day when experiencing seasonal allergies.

Large Intestine 4

Location: This point is located along the back of the hand near the base of the thumb. To find the point, move the thumb closest to the rest of your hand. You'll notice an area where the skin is raised, close to the thumb. The point is located at the highest point of that bunching of skin.

Indications: This point is great for stuffy or runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, redness and swelling of the eyes, chills and fever, sweating and toothaches.

Lung 7

Location: This point is located along the side of the wrist. To find this point first locate the wrist crease, the line where the hand meets the arm. With your palm facing up, lay your 3 middle fingers of the opposite hand along your wrist, with the ring finger touching the wrist crease. Roll your hand over so the palm is facing down, while pulling your middle finger and ring finger away from the wrist. The point is located in the depression where the tip of the index finger is touching.

Indications: This point is good for sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sinus congestion, cough, asthma, sinus headache, stiff neck, chills and fever.

Gallbladder 20

Location: This point is located on the back of the head. To find the point, bend your neck forward and find where the skull meets the neck at the midline. Run your index fingers down the side of the bony area towards the ears, until your finger falls into a hollow or soft spot. This point is commonly tender.

Indications: This point can help with stuffy and runny nose, sinus congestion, headaches, red or painful eyes, nosebleed, clogged ears, stiff neck, dizziness, chills and fever.

Large Intestine 20

Location: This point is located on the cheek, next to the nostril. To find the point, place the tip of your finger next to the nostril. You will feel an indentation at the location of the point.

Indications: This point is great for stuffy or runny nose, sinus congestion, loss of sense of smell, sneezing, nosebleed and red eyes.

Yin Tang

Location: This point is located in between the eyebrows on the center line of the face.

Indications: This point helps with sinus headache, nasal congestion and discharge, as well as sinus pain. This point is also very calming and can help relieve stress and anxiety.

Gallbladder 15

Location: This point is located on the forehead. To find the point, look straight ahead in a mirror. Draw an imaginary line from your pupils to just inside the hairline.

Indications: This point is helpful for sinus and nasal congestion, sinus headache or pain in the back of the neck, red, painful and watery eyes and dizziness.

San Jiao 5

Location: This point is located on the forearm. To find the point, bend your wrist back toward the top of your forearm, with your fingers pointing upward. Place your 3 middle fingers from the other hand on top of your wrist, with your ring finger touching the back of your hand. The point is located next to the index finger in between the two bones of your arm.

Indications: This point is great for nasal congestion, clear watery nasal discharge, nosebleeds, headaches, dizziness from allergies, ear ringing, itchy ears, red, swollen and watery eyes, stiff neck, and constant sneezing.

Conclusion

The next time you're experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, sinus headache or watery eyes, try a few of these acupressure points for allergies to help relieve your symptoms. Remember to use gentle and even pressure, without causing pain. You can download a copy of our Acupressure for Allergies below.

Acupressure for Allergies.pdf

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