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Acupressure Points for Allergies

Sep 9, 2011 | By Meg Kramer
Acupressure Points for Allergies
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For over 5,000 years, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, have used acupressure to heal illness and to promote wellness. According to TCM, stimulating specific acupressure points relieves the symptoms of ailments like allergies by unblocking the flow of the body's "qi," or vital energy. According to Yin Yang House acupuncture clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee, several acupressure points are commonly used to treat allergy symptoms. As with any new treatment, consult your doctor before beginning to use acupressure.

LI 20 - Ying Xiang

The acupressure point known as LI 20 is also called Ying Xiang in Chinese, or Welcome Fragrance in English. Acupressure points lie on a network of meridians that is thought to carry qi throughout the body. LI 20 is point No. 20 on the large intestine network and is located near the nostrils in the smile lines on either side of the face. This point is indicated for the nasal and sinus issues associated with allergies.

LI 4 - He Gu

Like LI 20, LI 4 is also a point on the large intestine meridian. Its Chinese name, He Gu, means Union Valley in English.It can be found on the top of the hand, in the middle of the bone that connects to the index finger, on the side nearest the thumb. In addition to nasal allergy symptoms, LI 4 is thought to relieve discomfort in the eyes as well as pain of the jaw, mouth and teeth.

LU 7 - Lie Que

Lie Que, or Broken Sequence in English, is the Chinese name for the LU 7 point. It is located on the arm near the wrist crease, on the same side of the thumb near the protrusion at the end of the radius bone. As a point on the lung meridian, LU 7 is used to treat sneezing and a sore throat, as well as the runny nose that can occur with allergies. It is a command point of the head and the back of the neck, meaning it is thought to be effective in treating any symptoms affecting these areas.

UB 2 - Zan Zhu

The second point on the bladder meridian, UB 2, is located on the inside end of the eyebrows. Its Chinese name, Zan Zhu, means Bamboo Gathering in English. This point is used for sinus congestion or related headaches, as well as red, itchy or watery eyes. Points like UB 2, which are located near the body parts that display the symptoms being treated, are known as local points in acupressure. It can be used in massage along with LI 4 to alleviate headaches.

References

Article reviewed by Sue Last updated on: Sep 9, 2011

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