Your knees are about to give way, and conventional medicine doesn’t seem to work. Nothing helps you to get down that flight of stairs. But if you suffer from knee pain, have you tried to tap on the acupressure points?
Accessing acupressure points will enable you to get down steep stairs without dreading knee pain. We explain how acupressure works and its benefits. This article also demonstrates how to tap on relevant acupressure points to deal with knee problems.
How Acupressure Works
Practitioners of Acupressure base it on the concept of the body’s energy like those who practice acupuncture and other therapies. They believe that the body’s qi (energy) travels along paths within it known as meridians. The qi mostly centers around 14 of these points.
According to this theory, a block in the flow of qi results in illness. The practitioner presses on the acupoint to release the flow. There are about 300 acupoints, with each having a name and an alphanumeric code.
The degree of pressure and the duration of application varies. The practitioner applies moderate to penetrating pressure ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. Though research isn’t conclusive, studies suggest that using pressure releases endorphins or happiness chemicals.
Why we should tap on acupressure points
You may doubt how a natural treatment like acupressure can reduce the pain in your knees. There are reasons the Chinese have sought this treatment for years.
1. Holistic well-being:
First of all, acupressure is the science of putting some force on the parts of the body that have links to different muscles. As mentioned earlier, acupressure deals with illnesses by unblocking the flow of Qi in the body.
2. Speeds up healing:
Tapping on acupressure points releases muscle tension and promotes blood circulation. These, in turn, enhance the life force in the body. Acupressure aids recovery from disease.
3. Eases pain:
Also, acupressure reduces discomfort, including that in the knees. The body releases the blockages in the pressured areas, and blood circulates, relieving the pain.
4. It is calming
Since acupressure stimulates different points in the body, it enables the mind to function. According to practitioners, not blocking the meridians calms you and allows you to handle stress.
5. Increases libido
Practitioners believe that imbalanced qi causes decreased libido. It also maintains kidney and heart health. Acupressure ensures that these are in working order, thus helping sexual performance.
6. Develops facial muscles
Cosmetic acupressure builds the muscles in the face. It also prompts blood circulation and helps the body produce collagen, decreasing aging.
7. Releases tension in the muscles
Acupressure releases tension in the muscles because it stimulates the action in the nerves. It also relieves stress and relaxes the body.
8. Promotes blood circulation
When appropriately applied, acupressure encourages blood circulation. Accessing acupressure points opens the flow of blood to the skin and regenerates the cells in all parts of the body.
9. Reduces the need for medicine
Acupressure treats almost all ailments. This practice relieves pain and treats headaches, reducing the need for over-the-counter drugs.
9 Acupressure Points for Knee Pain
Each of these acupressure waypoints supports the knees in some way. Applying pressure on them eases the strain on your knees, especially after an exhausting workout. Using acupuncture on them has tremendous effects, but knowing how to tap on them is useful if you cannot seek treatment or are afraid of needles.
When searching for these acupressure points for knee pain, look for areas that are sinkable. Apply pressure on them, in circles, for about ten minutes, about three to five times daily.
1. Shady Side of the Mountain
First of all is the Shady Side of the Mountain, which decreases pain, tension, cramps, and varicose veins. To find it, move your hand to the top of your shin, then over to the inside of your leg. Go down to the pliable tissue. You will see you a snug corner below your knee which should feel tender.
2. Calf Nose
This acupressure point for knee pain relieves meniscus problems (pain on the kneecap). To access it, grip your knee cap and bend your leg slightly. Your ring finger and pointer should rest comfortably below the knee cap. Apply gentle pressure. Do not push too hard because doing so will worsen the injury.
3. Sunny Side of the mountain
This knee-joint acupressure point eases sprains and tendons. It is beneficial for knee injuries and decreasing stiffness. You will find it on the outside fold of the knee, between the knobs of the bones, when you bend it.
5. The Commanding Middle
Use this point for acupressure if you have arthritis in your knees. Tapping on it encourages blood flow to the knee joint and support the soft tissue. Consequently, it relieves the pressure on the bones. If you have sciatica or lower back pain, it is particularly useful. You will find it’s in the middle of the soft area of the knee.
6. Three Mile Point
Strengthen your body and muscles by using the Three Mile Point. It prevents pain in the knees as well. This acupoint is roughly two inches below the knee cap and about a finger’s length outside the leg.
7. Crooked Spring
The Crooked Spring acupressure point relieves the swelling and pain in the knee. You will discover it inside the fold of the knee, at the end, when you bend it.
8. Nourishing Valley
Tapping on this acupressure area removes tension. To find it, take two fingers and put them on the edge of the crease in your knee. You will find it in the hollow section between the two tendons.
9. Yin Yang House
The Yin Yang House nurtures the muscles in the knee and supports the joints. You will find it about three fingers above the kneecap, on the inside of your leg.
In all, tapping on acupressure points can relieve your knee pain. Try putting pressure on them if you can’t find a practitioner to do so for you.
