Acupressure for Pain and Stress
Source: UCLA
http://exploreim.ucla.edu/self-care/acupressure-point-li4/
Acupressure Point LI4: Large Intestine 6 or He Gu
He Gu (LI4) is commonly used for stress, facial pain, headaches, toothaches and neck pain.
Today, He Gu (LI4) is clinically used for stress, facial pain, headaches, toothaches and neck pain. He Gu (LI4) is located on the highest spot of the muscle when the thumb and index fingers are brought close together. To use acupressure on this point, (1) locate the point then (2) use a deep, firm pressure to massage and stimulate the area for 4-5 seconds.
When applying acupressure, try to relax and breath deeply as you massage the area. The massage and the acupressure can be done by yourself, or by someone else who is there to assist you.
The ancient traditional Chinese medicine text includes a wide range of indications for He Gu (LI4) from headaches and constipation to general pain and delayed labor. A precaution for this point is that He Gu (LI4) may induce labor, thus must never be used during pregnancy.
He Gu (LI4) is a point that has been extensively studied through randomized controlled trials and clinical research. Recent studies from the Journal of Orofacial Pain showed that the stimulation of He Gu (LI4) significantly reduced myofascial pain of the jaw muscles [2]. A recent Cochrane systematic review on acupuncture in migraine and tension-type headaches suggests stimulation of acupoints as an effective and valuable option for alleviating migraines and tension-type headaches [1].
