Maintaining a strong immune system is more important than ever. Alongside proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep, acupressure offers a natural way to enhance your body’s immune response. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupressure can help balance energy (or “Qi”), reduce stress, and support overall well-being, all of which are vital for a healthy immune system.
Here are five key acupressure points that you can stimulate at home to give your immune system a gentle boost.
Location: Between the thumb and index finger, in the fleshy webbing of your hand.
The LI-4 point is one of the most commonly used acupressure points and is known for its ability to reduce stress, relieve headaches, and boost the immune system. It helps promote circulation throughout the body, flushing out toxins and supporting overall immune function.
How to apply pressure: Using your opposite thumb, press firmly on the LI-4 point for about 20-30 seconds. You should feel a slight soreness or sensitivity when you’ve found the right spot. Repeat on both hands.
Benefits:
Location: Four fingers’ width below the bottom of your kneecap, about one finger width to the outside of your shinbone.
The ST-36 point is often referred to as the “Longevity Point” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) because of its powerful immune-boosting properties. Stimulating this point is believed to improve digestion, reduce fatigue, and strengthen the immune system by promoting overall vitality.
How to apply pressure: Use your thumb or fingers to press into this point for 1-2 minutes, using circular motions. You can do this on both legs to enhance the effect.
Benefits:
Location: On the inside of the wrist, about 1.5 inches above the crease of the wrist, just off the thumb side of the forearm.
LU-7 is an essential acupressure point for supporting the lungs, making it highly beneficial for immune health. In TCM, the lungs are considered the first line of defense against external pathogens. Stimulating this point helps open up the lungs, improve breathing, and ward off respiratory infections.
How to apply pressure: Using your thumb, apply steady pressure to this point on one wrist for 30-60 seconds. Then, switch to the other wrist.
Benefits:
Location: Three fingers’ width above the inner ankle, on the inside of the lower leg.
The SP-6 point is a powerful acupressure spot for boosting the immune system, improving circulation, and promoting relaxation. It’s especially useful in TCM for regulating the spleen, which plays a significant role in immune function. It also helps alleviate stress, which is a major factor in weakening the immune system.
How to apply pressure: Use your thumb to press gently into the point for about 1-2 minutes, alternating between legs. You can also massage the area with circular motions for additional relief.
Benefits:
Location: At the base of the neck, just below the seventh cervical vertebra (you can find it by lowering your head and feeling for the most prominent bone at the base of your neck).
GV-14 is considered a master point for immune regulation in TCM. It connects to many of the body’s primary energy channels, helping to stimulate immune function, clear heat (which often causes fever or inflammation), and protect the body from pathogens.
How to apply pressure: Gently press on this point using your index and middle fingers. Hold the pressure for 1-2 minutes while taking slow, deep breaths.
Benefits:
Supporting your immune system naturally with acupressure is a gentle, non-invasive way to help your body stay healthy. By regularly stimulating these five key points—LI-4, ST-36, LU-7, SP-6, and GV-14—you can improve your overall immune function, reduce stress, and promote better health. Remember, acupressure complements a healthy lifestyle, so be sure to stay active, eat nutritious foods, and get plenty of rest to further support your immune system.