Powerful Acupressure Points To Nourish Your Spirit During Challenging Times—Part 3

To be able to see the best results with acupuncture points it is important to know the state of a person's mind, body and spirit. Most people in the modern world are imbalanced at the level of the spirit, at the very core of our being. Who we are becomes imbalanced due to past traumas and pain. Feeling useless, unlovable, worthless, stuck in fear, grief, anger, worry or lack of joy can cause spiritual maladies that are rooted in a person's behaviors and leads to disease. As acupuncturists, we reach a person’s spirit through our own spirit. By emptying our thoughts and simply being curious to hold space for a person’s feelings we are able to know who they are and this lets us know how to be with them and how to support their whole being. 

Acupuncture points are usually talked about for treating physical symptoms and diseases but there is a deeper level that acupuncture points can address, the spirit level. Mentally and emotionally we can become imbalanced and disease usually does not lie only on the physical level. This article will teach the location of some powerful acupuncture/acupressure points to nourish your spirit during challenging times.

STOMACH 40

Point Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 8 cun superior to the external malleolus, lateral to ST 38, two finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia.

Spirit of the Point: Abundance Splendor is the power of earth, calls us home, home inside. Thoughtful, loyal, secure, generous. A healthy earth can say no and is stable, secure and has good boundaries. A wonderful point. The child at the mother’s breast. Brings abundance, richness and quality, light to Earth. This is not a dark place, there is a plentiful supply of energy here, a full harvest of love, joy and nourishment.

SAN JIAO 2

Point Location: On the dorsum of the hand, proximal to the margin of the web between the 4th and 5th fingers, at the junction of the red and white skin.

Spirit of the Point: This is the gate which gives the ability to move, allows all fluid and essence to be carried around the body. If there is no fluidity, there is no ease of movement or smoothness. Transforms when feeling awash with thoughts and carried away with them. Mind wandering with loss of stability, awash in thoughts, emotional turbulence, distracted or carried away by life and not in control. When there is a lack of sense of flow, unable to go with the flow, this regulates movement of fluid and energy. Without fluidity adjustments can’t be easily made, allows for one to give clear and appropriate attention to things. This point helps our ability to be fluid and yielding, to be expansive and then when appropriate, to withdraw. SJ 2 helps on a mental and spiritual level in our relationships and our enthusiasm in life. 

SPLEEN 10

Location: When the knee is flexed, on the medial aspect of the thigh, the point is about 2 inches above the medial superior border of the patella, on the bulge of the medial portion of m. quadriceps femoris.

Spirit of the Point: This point translates to the Sea of Blood and is a place of nourishment and movement. Revitalizes, enriches and re-awakens when there is no blood, no life, no energy. Brings warmth, vitality and richness. Can be used for coldness of the mind and spirit, rejection, withdrawal. Gives mothers the nourishment to be able to nurture their own. 

LIVER 8

Location: On the medial aspect of the knee, when the knee is flexed, the point is in the depression on the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease, on the posterior border of the medial epicondyle of the femur, on the anterior portion of the insertion of m. semitendinosus and m. semimembranosus.

Spirit of the Point: Is called the Crooked Spring. This is a source of water that feeds the tree directly. If the roots are oversaturated, it takes excess Water away. If dry—not enough Water—they will be stiff and brittle in mind and spirit, the tree is unyielding and easily blown over—one can’t take on one more challenge, or they will break. If there is too much water they will be overwhelmed, lost at sea, awash in ideas or plans, life a log in water with no purposeful movement. This point brings strength and flexibility and takes away the fear. Where we can feel the tree some water or take water away if the tree is saturated and drowning. 

KIDNEY 6

Location: In a depression below the tip of the medial malleolus.

Spirit of the Point: Kidney 6 is called Illuminated Sea. Expansive and bright, when filled one can draw upon this sea for inner quality of the mind, body and spirit. Brilliant with light, a sea of quality, a vast expanse. A light, bright, clear sea, full of clarity and illumination. The sea should be tranquil, controlled, thus this point is used when the sea is raging or flooding causing panic and fear. This point will calm the spirit at a deep level. 

SMALL INTESTINE 4

Location: On the ulnar side of the palm in a depression between the base of the 5th metacarpal joint and the hamate bone.

Spirit of the Point: This point has to do with contacting the outside world, to reach out and communicate, can you sort out this and that, can we take in, express and give out in all directions. A safe and beautiful point to use. The wrist is very flexible; it lets us give out and take im, and it allows us to be creative. Through it we can take in, nurture, be flexible, and operate. When this point is stuck we cannot reach out or touch. Gives structure and stability to reach out and help our relationships.

STOMACH 44

Location: Proximal to the web margin between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, in a depression distal and lateral to the 2nd metatarsodigital joint.

Spirit of the Point: The Inner Courtyard. Let’s in near and dear friends, those who really listen and empathize. To find compassion and help someone find the ability to let people in and open up in a gentle way when one may reject sympathy. This is a quiet and contemplative place, calms a restless and distrusting mind. Calms pain and fear when asking, “What is it? What’s Causing it? Is it going to come back again?” Allows fears to be grounded and alleviates nightmares. 

LUNG 3

Point Location: On the medial aspect of the upper arm, on the radial side of m. biceps brachii, about 3 inches below the front end of the axillary fossa.

Spirit of the Point: Lung 3 is called Heavenly Palace. This is a palace of ultimate richness, makes life worth living. Deals with qualitative spiritual essence. This is the palace of the soul and spirit, the creator, where the spirit can be fed, cared for, revitalized and cleansed of all which has defiled it. Gets rid of the dark, smoky soot on the window and opens it to allow the light to come in so one can see. Lets filth out and light in. This is the best palace of all. It is one of the most dynamic and spiritually uplifting points. Can bring one back into a lifestyle that is more meaningful, showing the essence of the life one has been missing. Has a powerful pyschological effect on all emotional problems arising from Lung disharmony, depression, claustrophobia and agoraphobia. Allows a person to receive and let in. About trust, communication and receptivity. This is a safe palace where you have what you need. 

LIVER 1

Location: On the lateral side of the big toe, about 1 cm from the corner of the nail.

Spirit of the Point: Liver 1 translates to Great Esteem. Gives energy of a clear vision, providing determination, seeing the way, the plan of the plan itself. To move forward with confidence, to go for it. Revitalizes, reinvigorates, shakes rubbish from the tree so it can breathe. Shakes off the dead leaves and prunes dead branches. Clarity to get things’ started when one feels they cannot grow or change. To move past the “what if’s..” helps to do this with confidence, to see and work through obstacles, trusting yourself on where or how to go, movement that is appropriate, surging or cautious. The “I AM”, power point. Restores a sense of identity, a sense of self. When energy is bottled up, suppressed, there is a need to express, this point gives a feeling of worth and value to confidently move forwards. Clears the mind and spirit giving rise to clear vision. 

HEART 1

Location: At the apex of the axilla fossa on the medial side of the axillary artery.

Spirit of the Point: Heart 1 is known at the Utmost Source. It connects to the spirit and pervades everything... the divine, the creator, the source of Fire. When lacking this connection there may be panic, isolation, abandonment. To feel at one with everything, connects the divine within to the divine without, restores control back to the Heart after shock or trauma. Sets the ruler back on the throne. The Heart doesn’t do anything, it just is. The imagery is the queen sitting in peace and authority on her throne. Heart 1 addresses the Supreme Controller, the Empress or Queen within us. The Empress within us, only exists by the Empress outside of us. They are one and they have to be in communication with the other. The energy inside of us is the same as that outside of us. If the Supreme Controller loses that connection you’ll start seeing chaos and uncertainty. The other Officials throughout the kingdom (or other organs in the body) become unruly and panic stricken. They are all dependent upon the Supreme Controller to bring cohesion amongst all of the people within the palace. Heart 1 connects to the utmost source, a place connecting to the feeling and showing of deep and solemn respect. Powerfully resurrects the Heart. Touches the essence of the Heart. Puts the Queen back in her throne.