Can Pressure Points Help Relieve Nausea?
Acupressure is different from acupuncture. Rather than using needles, it involves using fingers to apply pressure to certain points of your body. Pressing on these points may help relax muscles and improve blood circulation.
There are several pressure points, also called acupoints, that may help with nausea. You can reach some of these yourself.
Other pressure points are harder to locate. For those, you'll want to see a trained massage therapist with acupressure experience.
It is important to note that acupressure should not be a substitute for medical care. Persistent or severe nausea may require medical treatment.
Read on to learn more about the acupressure points that may help relieve nausea.
Tips for acupressure
When trying acupressure at home, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Use your thumb or index finger to massage the pressure points.
You can also use more than one finger or the heel of your hand to press on these points.
Use firm but gentle pressure.
Use a circular motion when applying pressure to these points.
Continue treatments for several days or until you begin to feel relief.
Do not apply acupressure to open wounds or swollen or painful areas without discussing it with a medical professional.
PC6 or P6 (Nei Guan)
Pericardium 6 (PC6 or P6) is a pressure point located on the inner side of your wrist. It may help manage nausea and prevent vomiting.
To focus on P6:
Hold your hand up so that your palm is facing you.
To find the right spot, place the first three fingers of your other hand across your wrist at the base of your palm.
Place your thumb just below your three fingers.
Gently press your thumb so you feel two large tendons.
The P6 pressure point is located there, at the center of your lower wrist. Apply gentle pressure to this spot.
Repeat on your other wrist.
LI4 (He Gu)
The large intestine 4 (LI4) point on your hand helps with nausea caused by headaches, pain, and digestive issues.
To try it:
Find the highest spot on the muscle between your thumb and index finger.
This is the area where your thumb connects to the fingers.
This area will bulge out slightly when you bring your thumb and finger together.
The LI4 point is located about half an inch inward on the back of your hand. Apply pressure to this area.
Repeat on your other hand.
Avoid if pregnant
Although more research is necessary to verify this, most practitioners agree that you shouldn't apply pressure to your LI4 point while you're pregnant.
LIV3 or LV3 (Tai Chong)
The LIV3 or LV3 (Tai Chong) pressure point on your foot is linked to your liver.
A 2012 article suggests that acupuncture focusing on LV3 may reduce headaches, which can be a cause of nausea. While acupuncture is not the same as acupressure, it may be a pressure point you wish to try.
To try this point:
With your foot flat on the floor, place your finger in the gap between your big toe and the toe next to it.
Slide your finger down about two finger widths onto your foot.
The pressure point is on your foot in this spot. Apply pressure to this area.
Repeat on your other foot.
SP4 (Gongsun)
This pressure point on the inside of your foot is connected to the spleen. It may help with nausea.
To try the spleen 4 (SP4) point:
Sit down, and pull one foot onto your knee so that the inside of the foot is facing you.
Slide your hand from your big toe to the side of your foot.
This point is where your foot begins to arch, just past the padded ball of your feet.
You should feel a slight downward curve of the foot in the SP4 point. Apply pressure to this area.
Repeat on your other foot.
ST36 (Zu San Li)
The stomach 36 (ST36) point is located on your lower leg, just below the kneecap. Massaging this point may relieve nausea and pain, as well as help with other health issues.
To try it:
Sit down, and place your hand on your kneecap.
Press on the spot where your pinky finger is resting.
The pressure point for nausea is located on the outside of your shin bone, just below the knee.
Apply pressure in a downward motion.
Repeat on your other knee.
BL20 (Pi Shu)
This pressure point on your back is linked to the digestive system. It may be best to see an acupressure practitioner to reach this point.
To try the BL20 point, also known as UB20:
Lie down on your stomach.
The practitioner will locate your 11th thoracic spine (T11) on the middle of your back.
This spine bone is at the bottom of your rib cage and is connected to the last ribs.
The pressure points are on both sides of the spine, about two inches from the edges of the bone.
KID21 (Youmen)
The kidney 21 (KID21 or KD21) point is used to relieve nausea and vomiting. A 2020 study found that it could help alleviate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
You'll need an acupressure practitioner to reach this point. To try it:
Lie down on your back.
The acupressure practitioner will find this point on your upper stomach area.
KID21 points are located just below the breastbone on either side of the middle of your stomach.
They're located about midway between your collarbone and belly button.
The bottom line
Acupressure may help manage nausea for some people. To relieve nausea at home, you can try applying pressure to these points.
You can also visit a trained acupressure professional. You may need more than one visit to see results.
Contact a doctor for advice if you frequently experience nausea. The doctor can help determine the underlying cause and advise on any treatments they recommend.
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