This post is part of an ongoing series on acupressure. If you’re jumping in the middle of this series, please check out our video giving a general introduction to acupressure and how to make these points work for you.
Most people think of gettings colds in fall and winter as a normal part of life, and that the unlucky ones get additional colds in the spring and summer. In truth though, if the immune system is strong, there’s no reason to get sick anytime of the year. And when we do get sick, doing just a little extra to boost the immune system’s strength can do a lot to reduce the symptoms or severity of any cold or flu.
Below we’re going to show you a few points that are good at helping increase the immune system when you have a cold, as well as for dealing with the always-frustrating sinus congestion or runny nose. As with our other acupressure posts, you can click on any image for a larger view.
The Immune Points
Two great points to help strengthen the immune system during a cold or flu are found on the forearm. They are often quite sensitive when you’re tyring to fight something off.
Lung 7
Lung 7 is found on the side of the forearm by the thumb. Run your hand along the edge of the inside edge of the forearm from the wrist until you fall over the end of the bone (the head of the radius, in anatomy speak) into a small depression. This point is excellent for the common cold and treating chills & body aches.
Triple Warmer 5
This point is found on the back of the forearm, close to the inside edge. From the wrist, run your finger along the back of the forearm near the edge until you fall into a depression in the muscle. The depression is often more pronounced than for Lung 7, and is a little further back toward the elbow. This point is best for the flu or alternating fever & chills.
The Sinus Points
The sinus points – Large Intestine 20 & Yintang – are excellent for helping open up the sinus passages and stopping a runny nose. Large Intestine 20 is found along the crease from the nose to the face (the ‘ala nasi’), level with the bottom of the nostrils. This point is best for alleviating sinus congestion if you massage outward away from the nose. Yintang is the famous ‘third eye’ point, and apart from inducing relaxation is also often used to stop a runny nose.
Not certain if these points are the best for you? Schedule your consultation today and we can help you kick that cold to the curb!
