Did you know that pressure points on your hands can help you relax, sleep, and ease everyday tension?
Here’s where to find them and what they’re believed to help with.
Key takeaways:
- Your hands have several pressure points that are traditionally used in acupressure and hand reflexology.
- Acupressure is a complementary practice, and evidence for specific health benefits varies.
What are pressure points on your hands?
Pressure points on your hands are specific areas that are traditionally stimulated by applying gentle, steady pressure. In acupressure, these points are believed to influence different areas of the body and may be used as part of relaxation practices.
You may also come across these techniques under hand reflexology, although reflexology and acupressure are different traditional practices.
From hand pressure points for headaches to points traditionally used for stress and sleep, here are eight spots you can easily locate on your hands.
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8 Pressure Points On The Hands To Know
1. Heart 7: The wrist point for relaxation
The Heart 7 point is located in the crease of your wrist, roughly in line with the space between your ring and pinky fingers.
In traditional acupressure, this point is associated with calming and relaxation. It is sometimes included in routines involving hand pressure points for anxiety, stress, and sleep.
How to find it: Place a finger along your wrist crease and move toward the pinky side until you feel the area near the tendon.
2. The point below your pinky
Another well-known hand pressure point lies in the depression located right below the pinky finger on the hand. This particular point can be activated through the application of slight pressure to the skin.
How to find it: Look at the fleshy area immediately below your pinky and locate the natural depression in your hand.
3. The side-of-hand point
Traditional acupressure practices associate this area with relieving tension around the neck and head. It is therefore sometimes included among hand pressure points for headaches.
This point runs along the side of the hand, beginning near the tip of the thumb and extending downward toward the wrist.
How to find it:
Trace the side of your hand from your thumb toward your wrist and look for the tender or sensitive area along the edge and massage it for 30 seconds atleast.
4. Inner Gate point
It is one of the better-known hand pressure points and is often included in relaxation routines.
The Inner Gate point also known as the as Pericardium 6 is located around the inner side of the wrist crease and is commonly used in traditional acupressure.
How to find it:
Turn your palm upward and look at the inside of your wrist. The point is located around the wrist crease between the tendons. Now once you find it, massage it this is one of the hand pressure points for anxiety, so stimulate this point in circular or up-and-down motions.
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5. Outer Gate point
As its name suggests, the Outer Gate point is located on the opposite side of the arm.
Traditional acupressure practitioners locate it between two tendons on the back side of the arm, a little above the wrist.
How to find it:
Turn your hand over and locate the area between the two tendons on the back of your forearm near the wrist. Then, once you locate it press gently to find a tender or sensitive spot.
6. Wrist point below the pinky
You can find another commonly used wrist point by following the line of your pinky down toward the wrist crease.
This is particularly easy to locate because your pinkie provides a natural reference point.
How to find it:
Run your finger down from your pinky toward your wrist until you reach the wrist crease. The point lies along this line.
7. Base-of-thumb point
The base of the thumb contains another area commonly used in traditional hand acupressure.
How to find it:
Run a finger down from your thumb toward your wrist. The point is located around the base of the thumb where the hand meets the wrist. This area may feel particularly sensitive when you apply pressure, especially if your hands are tense from repetitive use.
8. Hand Valley point
The Hand Valley point is located in the firm area of skin between your thumb and index finger.
This is one of the most recognizable hand pressure points and is frequently mentioned in discussions about pressure points for tension and headaches.
How to find it:
Spread your thumb and index finger apart and locate the firm, fleshy area between them. Observe the highest part of the muscle lump formation where your thumb and first finger come into contact. Gently press to determine the point of tenderness.
Hand Pressure Points For Anxiety And Stress
Certain hand pressure points for anxiety and hand pressure points for stress are traditionally used as part of calming routines.
The act of just sitting quietly, concentrating on breathing and applying some pressure might in itself become a relaxation ritual without implying that the pressure point itself cures you of any anxiety or stress
Ways To Try Hand Reflexology
- You don’t need to press hard to try these techniques.
- Avoid pressing over broken or irritated skin.
- Don’t use acupressure as a substitute for treatment when you have persistent symptoms.
- Use your fingertip or thumb to apply gentle, steady pressure for a short period and stop if the area becomes painful.
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The takeaway
These eight pressure points on your hands are commonly discussed in traditional acupressure and hand reflexology practices. Whether you’re curious about hand pressure points for headaches, relaxation, stress, anxiety, or sleep, they can be explored as a gentle self-care ritual rather than a replacement for medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can hand pressure points help with headaches?
Traditional acupressure involves the use of certain hand points to address problems such as headaches and tension. This is why you’ll often see searches for hand pressure points for headaches.
Nevertheless, there could be several reasons behind one’s headaches. If the headache is severe, sudden, or comes with some other signs, then you should seek the help of your doctor.
Do left hand pressure points and right hand pressure points differ?
You may come across guides that distinguish between left hand pressure points and right hand pressure points. The exact approach depends on the particular acupressure system being followed. Some points are used on both sides of the body, while others may be discussed in relation to one side or specific meridians.
Can you use hand pressure points for sleep?
Some acupressure routines include wrist and hand points as part of a bedtime relaxation practice. Hand pressure points for sleep are generally used with slow breathing and gentle stimulation rather than forceful pressure. Try spending a few minutes gently massaging your hands before bed and treating it as a wind-down ritual.
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