Educational field guide

Find a point, a channel, or an herb.

Traditional language, in plain words. Pressure only. Nothing here is a diagnosis.

Start from a question

By body regionHead, chest, hand, back, foot.By meridianThe twelve channels, Ren, and Du.By symptom or goalPain, sleep, digestion, colds.By elementWood, fire, earth, metal, water.By herb actionRelease, clear, tonify, calm.Extra systemsVessels, ear, scalp, extra points.

Self-care routines

All routines

Tension headache

For a dull, tight headache at the temples or the nape, when you mainly need to soften the muscles and settle. Not for a sudden severe headache.

Nausea

For ordinary queasiness, travel, or a full stomach. Not for severe vomiting, chest pain, or a head injury.

Pre-sleep calm

A short wind-down when the mind is busy. It will not override pain, caffeine, or a sleep disorder.

Digestion after meals

For ordinary fullness after eating. Wait until you are not still chewing, and skip it if pain is severe.

Neck and shoulder tightness

For muscle tightness from sitting, not for a neck injury, numbness, or a headache that is new and severe.

Steady energy

A quiet routine for ordinary tiredness. It is not a treatment for fatigue with weight loss, fever, chest pain, or depression.

Clear head and memory

A quiet scalp-and-wrist sequence for ordinary fog and a scattered mind. Not care for dementia, a new concussion, or a sudden change in speech or face.

Ease a worried mind

For a busy, uneasy mind in the moment. Not a treatment for anxiety, panic, or depression.

Low-back warmth

For a tired, achy waist after sitting. Not for an injury, pain down the leg, numbness, or trouble passing urine.

Tired eyes

For screen-tired eyes and a tight brow. Not for vision loss, eye pain, or a sudden headache.

Stuffy nose

For a mild stuffy face at the start of a cold. Not for a high fever, one-sided facial pain, or trouble breathing.

Cold hands and feet

For hands and feet that stay cold when you are otherwise well. Not for a limb that is pale, numb, or suddenly cold on one side.

Where to look

Head and faceForehead, eyes, jaw, cheeks NeckBase of the skull, throat, nape ChestSternum, ribs, side of the chest AbdomenAbove and below the navel BackAlong the spine and shoulder blade Shoulder and armShoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm HandWrist, palm, fingers Hip and legHip, thigh, knee, calf FootAnkle, top of the foot, sole EarIn front of the ear, not the ear canal

The figure is a map, not a body to treat. Use the buttons under it. It faces you, so the back is drawn to the side.

Often opened

LI4Large Intestine

Union Valley

The classic hand point for head, face, and the start of a cold.

Traditionally avoided in pregnancy

ST36Stomach

Leg Three Miles

The leg point people learn for digestion and everyday energy.

LV3Liver

Great Surge

Top-of-foot source point for stuck qi, stress, and headache.

Use caution

PC6Pericardium

Inner Pass

The forearm point people learn for nausea and chest unease.

GB20Gallbladder

Wind Pool

The skull-base hollows for neck headache and “wind.”

Use caution

HT7Heart

Spirit Gate

The wrist point people learn for worry and sleep.

Use caution

YintangExtra points

Hall of Impression

Between the eyebrows. Extra point, not a channel point.

SP6Spleen

Three Yin Intersection

Inner-leg crossing of three yin channels. Not a pregnancy self-care point.

Traditionally avoided in pregnancy

How to read a page

A code such as LI4 is the channel plus the point number. Pinyin is the Mandarin reading. Chinese characters sit beside it.

Actions are traditional teaching phrases — move qi, clear heat, calm shen. They are not lab results.

A cun is a body-inch measured on that person, not a ruler inch. Needle notes use it only so students can recognize a chart.

Acupressure here means fingers, about 30–90 seconds. Needling is a licensed practice. Do not needle yourself.