Acupressure Points to Relieve Neck Tension

>> Hi. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Manejias. I am a physiatrist and acupuncturist
at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Thank you for joining me today. I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. I'd like to share a few tips to help
alleviate neck tension and promote relaxation through acupressure techniques
that you can do at home. The first point is called
KAB 20 or gall bladder 20. The best way to find this point is to
position the thumbs at the base of your skull. You'll find two small, bony bumps,
one on each side, left and right. Move right beneath those bony bumps to find an
area that is soft and perhaps a little tender. You can use your other fingers to massage your
skull while you are also massaging below these bony areas. Massage in small, circular
motions for two to three minutes. The next point is called your
GB or gallbladder 21 point. It is located midway between the
base of your neck and your shoulder in a muscle called your trapezius. You can use two to three fingers
to apply firm pressure and small, circular motions to your trapezius
muscle again for two to three minutes. You can do the same thing to the other side. Small, circular motions for
two to three minutes. Another great point for neck tension, headaches, upper back tension is called your large
intestine four point, or your LI-4 point. This point should be avoided
if you are pregnant, however. It is located between your thumb and
your index finger in the muscle belly that is soft and perhaps also tender. You can apply small, circular
motions for two to three minutes. And then you can switch to the other side,
again, for two to three minutes, small, circular motions with enough pressure to find
an area that is slightly tender to touch. Another great point for neck pain
is your small intestine three point. If you make a fist and just above the
outer edge of the bone in your hand, you'll find the meaty area in the muscle. And you can apply firm pressure, two to
three minutes, small, circular motions. And same thing the other side. Step off the bone in the outer edge of the
hand into a soft, meaty area of the muscle. Small, circular motions for
two to three minutes. That's all I have for you today. Thank you so much for listening and stay well.