Shoulder pain is becoming common now more than ever. As we spend more time hunched at computers, glued to phones, or looking down at tablets, it’s no wonder that there is approximately 18-26 percent of adults who suffer from this condition at any point in time.1
Another reason why many experience this musculoskeletal pain is because of injuries or muscle overuse.
Unfortunately, since the shoulder is designed to have a wide range of motion and withstand heavy physical demands, it affects our ability to move once something goes wrong with it. This pain and discomfort may impact our productivity and quality of life.
To reduce pain and swelling, those who experience shoulder pain usually get by with medications. However, there are alternative treatments that are worth trying. One of these is acupressure for shoulder pain relief.
How Can Acupressure Ease Shoulder Pain?
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. Both forms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) stimulate the proper flow of the body’s vital energy called qi. The difference is that acupressure doesn’t use fine needles into the skin. Instead, it requires applying manual pressure to specific points in the body.
This practice stimulates the nervous system to get rid of clogged qi and ensure that this energy flows through channels in the body. It then eases muscle tension and shoulder pain.
Best Acupressure Points for Shoulder Pain
With consistency, acupressure can serve as an effective self-treatment for reducing shoulder pain and improving shoulder function. Get shoulder pain relief by stimulating these acupressure points.
1. Large Intestine 6 (Pianli or Veering Passageway)
Large Intestine 6 (LI 6) is ideal for alleviating sore arms, neck pain, arm pain, and hand pain. It can also be used for face and neck swelling, nosebleeds, sore throat, and ear ringing.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Flex your elbow
- Find the top of the muscle where your thumb and index fingers meet
- Apply pressure to the point
- Massage in small circular motions
- Repeat the steps on the other side
2. Large Intestine 10 (Shousanli or Arm Three Miles)
Large Intestine 10 (LI 10) effectively relieves shoulder pain. It also helps with neck tightness, neck pain, elbow pain, abdominal pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Rest your forearm on a flat surface
- On the outer side of your forearm, measure three finger-widths below your elbow crease
- Press the point with your thumb or fingers
- Stimulate the point using circular motions
- Repeat on your other arm
3. Large Intestine 15 (Jianyu or Shoulder Bone)
Large Intestine 15 (LI 15) helps with the shoulder joint by circulating qi, treating wind stroke, and clearing heat. It also addresses skin rashes, hypertension, and toothache.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Bend your elbow
- Raise your arm to shoulder height
- Locate the dip at the point of your shoulder
- Press and massage the point
- Repeat on the other side
4. Gallbladder 20 (Fengchi or Wind Pool)
Activate Gallbladder 20 (GB 20) if you need relief from shoulder pain. You may also use this for neck pain, neck stiffness, headache, and eye pain.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- On your nape, measure one finger-width from the midline of your head on both sides
- Press the points at the same time
- Massage in circular motions
5. Gallbladder 21 (Jianjing or Shoulder Well)
Gallbladder 21 (GB 21) eases shoulder stiffness and pain. In a study, cholecystitis patients found relief from shoulder pain, back pain, and stomachache by stimulating this acupressure point.3
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Find the halfway between your shoulder and the top of your neck
- Press the point with moderate pressure
- Massage in circular motions
- Repeat on the other side
Read More: Best Yoga Poses For Upper Back Pain
6. San Jiao 5 (Waiguan or Outer Pass)
San Jiao 5 (SJ 5) helps ease shoulder pain, upper back pain, neck stiffness, and neck pain. It also relieves wrist pain and temporal headache.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- On the back of your hand, find the groove between your ring and pinky fingers
- Massage and stimulate the point
- Repeat the steps on your other hand
7. Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao or Three Yin Intersection)
Spleen 6 (SP 6) is one of the most versatile acupressure points. Besides shoulder pain, it relieves spleen and stomach deficiency, diarrhea, skin diseases, headache, insomnia, and more.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- On your inner leg, find the highest part of your ankle
- Measure four finger-widths towards your knee
- Press the point
- Repeat the steps on your other ankle
8. Stomach 36 (Zusanli or Leg Three Miles)
Stomach 36 (ST 36) strengthens qi and blood, removes dampness, and strengthens the spleen and stomach. Use this if you need relief from shoulder pain, digestive issues, palpitations, and throat pain.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Measure four finger-widths down from below your knee
- Press and massage the point
- Repeat the technique on the other side
9. Pericardium 6 (Neiguan or Inner Gate)
Pericardium 6 (PC 6) regulates qi and opens the chest. Stimulate this acupressure point for shoulder pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Measure three finger-widths down on your inner wrist
- Apply gentle pressure to the point
- Massage the point in small circular motions
- Repeat on your other wrist
10. Small Intestine 3 (Houxi or Back Stream)
Small Intestine 3 (SI 3) is best used for shoulder pain and stiff neck. It also treats malaria, headache, epilepsy, and night sweating.
Tips to activate this acupressure point:
- Make a loose fist on the side of your bad shoulder
- Find the point along the crease of your palm below your pinky finger
- Massage the point
Other Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain
Getting rid of shoulder pain can be done in many ways. Do these home remedies to find temporary relief:
- Apply an electric heating pad to your shoulder
- Avoid drinking caffeine, sodas, and alcohol
- Avoid sleeping on your bad shoulder
- Do shoulder stretching exercises
- Get a massage
- Get plenty of rest
- Put ice on your shoulder
- Quit smoking
- Reduce inflammation in your body by adding whole foods to your diet
- Take a salt bath
- Take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Use essential oils derived from therapeutic plants, such as lavender, peppermint, and marjoram oils
Read More: Best Home Remedies For Shoulder Pain
In Short
Stimulating these acupressure points for shoulder pain relief is a cheap, fast, and easy way to get rid of pain naturally. This is perfect for those looking for a low-risk treatment that can be done at home.
Before trying acupressure, remember that this practice can serve only as an additional treatment. To treat more severe cases, reach out to your doctor.
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