Acupressure Points In The Chest

According to Chinese medicine theory, many different energy lines pass through the chest area. A Chinese practitioner or a massage therapist who is trained in acupuressure may be able to stimulate certain points around the chest to relieve symptoms such as cough, chest pain, or arm and shoulder pain. Be sure to check with your physician before beginning alternative therapies, and to research acupressure practitioners in your area.

Stomach Point 12

The energy line, or meridian, that corresponds with the stomach organ is long, beginning on the face and traveling down the front of the body to end at the big toe. Point 12 along this meridian is located at the midpoint of the clavicle, or collarbone, according to yinyanghouse.com. Your practitioner will find the midpoint of the bone, then go up into the depression above the bone, pressing behind the bone itself. The website also states that your practitioner may press this point to relieve shoulder, neck, or throat pain.

Stomach Point 13

According to “A Manual of Acupuncture,” this point lies directly below stomach 12, in the depression below the clavicle. It can be useful for helping fullness and distension in the chest, pain, cough, asthma, hiccups, and a stiff neck.

Stomach Points 14 to 16

The remaining stomach points are aligned with stomach 12 and 13, the same distance from the middle of the chest. Stomach 14 is found in the space between the first and second ribs. Stomach 15 is between the second and third ribs, while stomach 16 is found between the third and fourth rib, according to yinyanghouse.com. “A Manual of Acupuncture” states that these points are all useful for fullness in the chest, coughing, and improving breathing.

Gallbladder Point 22

The gallbladder channel also has points on the chest, although they are not all in a straight line like the bladder meridian points. According to acupuncture.com, gallbladder 22 should be located when the arm is raised. Your practitioner will find it on the mid-axillary line of the body, meaning the midline of the side of the body. If you were to turn to the side, your mid-axillary line runs through the middle of your ear and down the entire side of your body. Gallbladder 22 is located on that line, in the depression of the fifth and sixth ribs. It can be stimulated to help with cough as well as pain of the shoulder and arm, states “A Manual of Acupuncture.”

Gallbladder Point 23

This point is located in the same space between the fifth and sixth ribs, although this point is approximately an inch closer to the front of the body, says yinyanghouse.com. It can also be used for fullness of the chest, but it is also good for insomnia, vomiting, and loss of use of the four limbs, according to “A Manual of Acupuncture.”

Ren Point 17

The Ren channel is often called the Conception Vessel in Chinese medicine theory. Acupuncture.com states that this point is located on the midline of the body, level with the nipples and level with the space between the fourth and fifth ribs. Your practitioner may just tap or press this area gently, as it is on the sternum, or chest bone. It is good for shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and acid regurgitation, according to “A Manual of Acupuncture.”

Ren Points 18 to 20

The Ren channel continues to rise, up toward the neck, the points lying approximately one inch apart. Ren 18 is approximately one inch above Ren 17, Ren 19 one inch above Ren 18, and so on, according to “A Manual of Acupuncture.” These points can all be helpful for chest pain, as well as problems with the ingestion of food. It is important to discuss your symptoms and your concerns with your physician as well as an acupuncturist or licensed massage therapist before beginning treatment.