T'AI CHI_____________________________________________
 TCU * R. D. Evans Community Center * University Christian Church * St. Stephen Presbyterian Church
High Point Rehabilitation * Town Village Ridgmar * First Presbyterian * Trinity Terrace
d.beck@tcu.edu   (682) 465-5685 or (817) 737-5030    www.taijichuan.com   ©2006
 

10 DAILY POINTS
 
*Name: LI 4, Hoku or Hegu (Union Valley)
Where: In the center of the webbing between thumb and index finger, pressing against the bone of the index finger.
How: Hold about one minute and then repeat with other hand.
For: Headaches and other pain. Helps to balance flow of energy between upper and lower parts of the body. Used to clear excess heat. Warning: Pregnant women should not press on this point.

Name: 1-1 11, Quchi (Pool at the Bend)
Where: On the outside end of the elbow crease when the arm is held against the chest.
How: With firm pressure press for about one minute, then switch arms.
For: Removes excess heat and damp from body. Relieves pain from arm, elbow, and shoulder.

*Name: Sp 6, Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Meeting)
Where: Four finger widths above the inside anklebone.
How: Press quite firmly for about a minute, and gradually release.
For: Can nourish the overall yin of the body by strengthening the yin of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Is considered a master point for healing and regulating the female organs, e.g., relieving cramps. Warning: Pregnant women should not press on this point.

*Name: St 36, Zusanli (Three Mile Point)
Where: Four finger widths below the lower border of the kneecap and one finger width off the shin bone to the outside. You've found the point correctly if you feel the muscle move under your fingers when you flex your foot up and down.
How: Using moderate to firm pressure, hold for about a minute.
For: Is the most powerful point for revitalizing the chi and blood of the entire body.

Name: Lv 3, Taichong (Bigger Rushing)
Where: Start at the web of skin between the big toe and second toe and slide your index finger up between the bones until you feel a depression about half an inch up. Press between the bones in the direction of the root of the second toe.
How: Place both your middle and index fingers in between your big and second toes on top of your feet. Start with light pressure and increase until you are using moderate pressure. Rub briskly or press both feet about a minute.
For: Prevents chi stagnation in the body and is good for controlling stress.

*Name: K 3, Taixi (Great Ravine)
Where: On the inside of the ankle halfway between the anklebone and the Achilles tendon.
How: Press using medium to firm pressure for about a minute.
For: Produces a powerful tonifying effect on the Kidney meridian and the entire body.

Name: B 23, Shenshu (Kidney Shu)
Where: About one and a half inches on either side of the spine an inch or two above the small of the back.
How: Use the backs of your hands to rub your lower back briskly up and down, creating heat from friction for one minute. Then use either your thumbs or fingers to stimulate
one side at a time or both sides at once for about a minute.
For: This point in combination with K 3 strongly tonifies the Kidney chi.

Name: GB 20, Fengchi (Wind Pool)
Where: In the depression on either side of the vertebra of your neck at the base of the skull.
How: Use the thumbs with medium to firm pressure for a minute or more, remembering to breathe deeply and to build up and release pressure gradually.
For: Useful in headaches and colds, neck stiffness and pain.

Name: Sp 10, Xuehai (Sea of Blood)
Where: On the bulge on the inside of the thigh about 2 thumb widths above the top edge of the knee.
How: Press firmly for about a minute with your thumb.
For: Helps prevent stagnation of the blood, especially in the lower abdomen. Also heals and nourishes the skin.

Name: St 40, Fenglong (Abundant Splendor)
Where: Halfway between the outside anklebone and the center of the kneecap. Halfway down, find the shin bone and then go two thumb widths off the bone to the outside.
How: Press firmly with either thumb or middle finger.
For: Very useful in reducing mucus and congestion.

Note: *Indicates one of the four most important points.

Recommended Reading:

Acupressure's Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach, Bantam Books, 1990. [$14.36 from amazon.com]

Healing With Pressure Point Therapy by Jack Forem & Steve Shimer, Prentice-Hall, 1999. [$12.00 in paperback from amazon.com]