The 10 Best Acupressure Points for Acid Reflux You Should Activate

Best acupressure points for acid reflux

Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It does more than nourish your body. Sometimes, it can be a way to celebrate a milestone or simply treat yourself after a long day.

While it’s usually enjoyable, overindulging yourself can slow your digestion. This is why you sometimes have a burning sensation in your chest or have a metallic taste in your mouth after having big meals.

When this happens, you get acid reflux, also known as heartburn or acid indigestion. It takes place when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe. Besides eating large meals, it is triggered by consuming caffeine, alcohol, lots of table salt, chocolate, and acidic juices.

Regardless of its cause, this condition can make you feel uncomfortable for minutes to hours. To find temporary relief without medications, try activating acupressure points for acid reflux.

How Can Acupressure Relieve Acid Reflux?

Acupressure for acid reflux

Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that requires stimulating certain pressure points in the body. As it stimulates the flow of qi, a vital energy, it improves basic life functions, including digestion.

According to Dr. Lawrence B. Taw, MD, the director of the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine – Torrance, “Acupuncture has a very calming effect that tends to relax the muscles and promote digestion.”

Moreover, a study revealed that acupuncture eases chronic acid reflux called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Since acupressure has similar principles as acupuncture, this practice can therefore provide relief from acid reflux.1

The 10 Best Acupressure Points for Acid Reflux

Address discomfort and ease tummy troubles connected to heartburn with acupressure. These 10 acupressure points will provide you with temporary relief from acid reflux.

1. Pericardium 6 (Neiguan or Inner Gate)

Acupressure Point Pericardium 6 P 6 (Neiguan or Inner Gate)

Eating a heavy meal can cause shallow breathing. This is where Pericardium 6 (P 6) comes in. It opens the chest and regulates the energy in the heart, which helps relieve nausea and vomiting associated with indigestion and acid reflux.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Face your wrist towards you and bend it slightly
  • Measure three finger-widths from your wrist crease to the space between your thumb and forefinger
  • Apply pressure to the point with your thumb
  • Massage the point in circular motions
  • Repeat the steps on your other wrist

2. Liver 3 (Taichong or Great Surge)

Acupressure Point Liver 3 LV 3 (Taichong or Great Surge)

Liver 3 (LV 3) eases gastric acid reflux. It also alleviates other digestive problems, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Find the slight dip where your big toe and second toe meet
  • Press the point with your index or middle finger
  • Massage in circling motions
  • Repeat the steps on your other foot

3. Conception Vessel 12 (Zhongwan or Middle of the Earth)

Acupressure Point Conception Vessel 12 CV 12 (Zhongwan or Middle of the Earth)

Conception Vessel 12 (CV 12), also called Ren 12), regulates stomach qi. It is a harmonizing point that addresses heartburn, bloating, gas, indigestion, and inadequate food absorption.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Find the point between your navel and the lower tip of your sternum
  • Press the point with your index and middle fingers
  • Rub the point in circles

4. Spleen 4 (Gongsun or Grandfather Grandson)

Acupressure Point Spleen 4 SP 4 (Gongsun or Grandfather Grandson)

Spleen 4 (SP 4) regulates qi and tonifies the spleen. By stimulating this point, you will find relief from nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomach pain, and vomiting.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Locate the downward curve on the inner side of your foot
  • Press this point and massage in circular motions
  • Repeat the process on your other foot

5. Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao or Three Yin Intersection)

Acupressure Point Spleen 6 SP 6 (Sanyinjiao or Three Yin Intersection)

Spleen 6 (SP 6) affects the spleen, liver, and kidney energetic organ systems. It relieves digestive disorder symptoms by tonifying yin.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Find the bone that sticks out of your ankle
  • Measure four finger-widths up towards your knee
  • Press and massage the point
  • Repeat on your other ankle

6. Urinary Bladder 21 (Weishu or Stomach Shu)

Acupressure Point Urinary Bladder 21 UB 21 (Weishu or Stomach Shu)

Urinary Bladder 21 (UB 21) regulates stomach qi. Use this acupressure point if you seek relief from nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Measure six inches above the small of your back and 1.5 inches on either side of your spine
  • Press the point
  • Apply pressure to the point in circular motions

7. Stomach 36 (Zusanli or Leg Three Miles)

Acupressure Point Stomach 36 ST 36 (Zusanli or Leg Three Miles)Stomach 36 (ST 36) is known as “the point of one hundred diseases” because it can help relieve various ailments. By regulating stomach qi, this acupressure point eases vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestion problems related to acid reflux.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Find the dent 2-3 inches below your kneecap on the outer side of your leg
  • Press the point with pressure
  • Massage the point in circular motions
  • Repeat the process to your other leg

8. Stomach 37 (Shangjuxu or Great Upper Hollow)

Acupressure Point Stomach 37 ST 37 (Shangjuxu or Great Upper Hollow)Stomach 37 (ST 37) regulates the intestines, stomach, and spleen. It eases abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bowel issues. Also, it is especially effective in treating large intestine disorders, particularly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).2

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • From ST 36, measure three finger-widths downwards
  • Find the dent between your muscle and bone
  • Press and massage the point in circular motions
  • Repeat the steps on your other leg

9. Large Intestine 4 (Hegu or Joining Valley)

Acupressure Point Large Intestine 4 LI 4 (Hegu or Joining Valley)If you are dealign with constipation, abdominal pain, or gastric pain, stimulate Large Intestine 4 (LI 4). This acupressure point alleviates pain and reduces symptoms in the intestines.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Find the fleshy dent below where your thumb and forefinger meet
  • Apply pressure to the point
  • Massage in gentle circular motions
  • Repeat on your other hand

10. Large Intestine 11 (Quchi or Pool at the Crook)

Acupressure Point Large Intestine 11 LI 11 (Quchi or Pool at the Crook)Large Intestine 11 (LI 11) regulates qi and blood. Stimulating this acupressure point reduces vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Techniques to activate this acupressure point:

  • Bend your elbow
  • Look for the tip of your elbow crease on the outer side of your elbow
  • Press and massage the point
  • Repeat the techniques on your other elbow

Other Home Remedies for Acid Reflux

Acupressure isn’t the only alternative therapy to relieve acid reflux. There are other home remedies worth trying at home.

Best of all, these remedies are generally safe. Mary Rouzer, DNP, a nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology, explains, “Unless your esophagus has damage we’ve seen on a scope and requires medication, it’s fine to try natural remedies for acid reflux.”

Here are some easy ways to ease heartburn at home:

  • Add ginger and high-fiber foods to your diet
  • Avoid carbonated beverages and citrus juices
  • Avoid overeating
  • Chew sugar-free gum after meals
  • Consume probiotics
  • Drink aloe vera juice
  • Eat a ripe banana
  • Elevate your bed
  • Keep a food journal
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Limit eating fried and fatty foods
  • Lose weight
  • Manage stress
  • Quit smoking
  • Reduce caffeine
  • Refrain from eating midnight snacks
  • Sleep on your left side
  • Slow down when eating
  • Take a small amount of apple cider vinegar mixed with water
  • Try herbal teas
  • Use calming techniques like meditation
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing

In Short

Stimulating acupressure points for acid reflux is a quick and effective way to relieve your symptoms. However, this practice is effective only in treating mild, occasional heartburn. If you experience persistent acid reflux or have a damaged esophagus, consult a doctor.

For more tips about digestion problems, feel free to also read our article about the best acupressure points for constipation and the best teas for diarrhea.

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