Sight is one of the most important senses. It connects you to the world and helps you absorb information around you.
Simply put, without healthy eyes, life can be less satisfying.
Unfortunately, experiencing eye problems from time to time is normal. Dry eyes, eye strain, irritation, or blurry vision occur occasionally, and they cause discomfort.
If you are dealing with eye issues, avoid taking your sense of sight for granted. Take care of your well-being with acupressure for healthy eyes.
How Can Acupressure Improve Eye Health?
In this digital age where almost everyone is glued to their phones, TVs, or computers, more and more people suffer from eye problems. If you are one of them, improve your eye health with acupressure.
This form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) involves stimulating a steady flow of energy called qi throughout the body. It requires massaging specific acupressure points to provide relief for certain eye issues.
Doing this practice regulates qi and blood flow. It then improves blood circulation of the eyes, promoting better eye health.1
According to Ani Baran, a licensed acupuncturist and owner of NJ Acupuncture Center, “Acupressure is a great, non-invasive way to give our eyes a bit of TLC and help them recover from the stressors of the day.” With consistency, it can ease eye twitching, relieve tension, promote relaxation, and address vision problems.
Acupressure may also help with glaucoma. In a study, patients with glaucoma received auricular acupressure twice a day for four weeks. Results showed that their vision activity and intraocular pressure improved significantly. Another research also found that self-acupressure soothes dry eyes.2,3
The 10 Best Acupressure Points for Eyes
In TCM, eye diseases are connected to a weakness in the liver and kidneys. A weak spleen can also be considered a cause of cataracts. That said, applying pressure to the acupressure points that target these organs and those around the eyes may enhance eye health.
Improve your vision and find relief from eye problems by stimulating these 10 best acupressure points for eyes.
1. San Jiao 23 (Sizhukong or Silk Bamboo Hole)
San Jiao 23 (SJ 23) eases symptoms of eye strain, including headaches and migraines. It also alleviates eye pain, redness, twitching, and blurry vision.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Find the end tips of your eyebrows near your ears
- Apply pressure to the points
- Massage the points in circular motions
2. Stomach 1 (Chengqi or Tear Container)
Stomach 1 (ST 1) is best used for main eye problems. It relieves eye pain, twitching, swelling, redness, and conjunctivitis symptoms.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Look straight ahead
- Find the points directly under the center of your eyes
- Press the points
- Massage the points for several seconds
3. Stomach 2 (Sibai or Four Whites)
Stomach 2 (ST 2) relieves eye itching, redness, and twitching. It also helps with facial paralysis and pain in the face.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Look straight ahead
- Locate the points directly below the center of your pupils
- Adjust your fingers to the level of the center of your nose bridge
- Press and massage the points with index fingers
4. Urinary Bladder 2 (Cuanzhu or Bamboo Gathering)
If you are dealing with itchy, watery, or red eyes due to allergies, massage Urinary Bladder 2 (UB 2). This acupressure point is ideal for excessive tear production and sinus congestion.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Place your fingers at the tip of your eyebrows along the inner eye area
- Apply pressure to the points
- Massage the points in circular motions
5. Gallbladder 1 (Tongziliao or Pupil Crevice)
Gallbladder 1 (GB 1) addresses eye problems, such as dry, itchy eyes, sore eyes, conjunctivitis, photophobia, and blurry vision. Using this acupressure point also helps reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Rest your index fingers directly on the outside corners of your eye sockets
- Press the points gently
- Massage the points for a few minutes
6. Gallbladder 14 (Yangbai or Yang White)
Gallbladder 14 (GB 14) reduces drooping of the eyes, eye twitching, and glaucoma. It also provides headache relief.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Place your finger above your left eye
- Adjust your finger so that it rests on the left side of the center of your forehead
- Press and massage the point
7. Urinary Bladder 1 (Jingming or Bright Eyes)
Urinary Bladder 1 (UB 1) boosts eye health by clearing heat and expelling the wind. It manages symptoms of color blindness, night blindness, early-stage cataracts, vision loss, and glaucoma.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Put your fingers on the inner corners of your eyes
- Apply pressure to the points
- Massage the points gently
8. Qiuhou (Behind the Ball)
Qiuhou (Ex-HN7) stimulates blood circulation to the eye. It reduces eye fatigue, glaucoma, early stage of cataract, and myopia.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Place your fingers below your eyes
- Find the points on the outer corner of your eye sockets
- Push the points
- Massage the points upwards
9. Yuyao (Fish Spine)
Yuyao (Ex-HN4) soothes eye pain, redness, swelling, and twitching. It also offers headache relief.
How to use this acupressure point:
- Put your fingers in the middle of your eyebrows
- Press the points
- Massage the points in circular motions
10. Kidney 7 (Fuliu or Returning Current)
Kidney 7 (KD 7) soothes dry eyes. It also helps deal with night sweats and a weak lower back.
How to use this acupressure point:
- On your inner lower leg, find the dip between your shinbone and your Achilles tendon
- Press and massage the point with moderate pressure
- Repeat the steps on your other leg
Other Home Remedies for Healthy Eyes
Treat your eyes with proper care with alternative therapies, including acupressure. If your symptoms are not severe, consider doing these other home remedies:
- Disinfect your contact lenses
- Eat food sources rich in vitamins A, C, and E and zinc, such as carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes
- Eat more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including salmon and flaxseed
- Incorporate leafy green vegetables, eggs, zucchini, and broccoli into your diet
- Lessen your screentime
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Stay hydrated
- Use eye drops for dry eyes
- Visit your eye doctor regularly
- Wear protective eyewear, including eyeglasses and sunglasses
In Short
Massaging these 10 best acupressure points for eyes can improve your eyesight and relieve eye problems. Best of all, you can do it on your own and without leaving the comfort of your home.
Remember that this practice may help only with minor issues. To address serious eye problems, talk to your doctor.
Acupressure can improve a lot of unpleasant conditions! For more information, feel to also read these blog posts:
- Best Acupressure Points For Anxiety
- Best Acupressure Points For Hair Growth
- Best Acupressure Points For Cough
- Best Acupressure Points For Low Back Pain
- Best Acupressure Points For Acid Reflux
- Best Acupressure Points For Constipation
- Best Acupressure Points For Eyes
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