Welcome to the Big Deal Points! ~A Note from Cindy~ These twelve points have been used for thousands of years to relieve many common ailments. Because they are known to be so effective, I call them Big Deal Points. Points are places on meridians where the Qi can be accessed. What does this sentence mean? Qi ( Chee ) is the word of energy in Chinese medicine. Qi is the energy that enlivens us as it flows through meridians. Meridians are pathways that run lengthwise on the body, from head to toe and along the arms. Common ailments such as headaches, back pain, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety are symptoms that the Qi is not flowing smoothly in the meridians. How to use these points: By stimulating these points with gentle pressure (never cause pain) and movement, you can support the Qi to get moving in the meridian again. Once the Qi is flowing the symptoms dissipate. All of the meridians and points are present on both sides of the body. I show the Big Deal Points only on one side - be sure to contact the point on both sides for the best results. Apply your pressure slowly, gently increasing the pressure until you feel some sensation. Often adding a little circular movement helps to get the Qi moving. Utilizing the healing potential of these points is both an art and science. The skill of getting results comes from experience - so explore, wonder, feel and trust your intuition. To Abundant Qi, Cindy Black, L.Ac, LMT Founder of Big Tree School of Natural Healing *Please note, none of the information provided is intended as medical advice.
Lung 10 (LU 10) Big Deal Point #1 These are points that have many uses and indications. Big Deal Points, and their uses have been handed down over thousands of years by dedicated practitioners like you. I give thanks to those before us who maintained the wisdom of these points so it can be available to us today. Point: Lung 10 (LU 10) Name: Yu Ji translated as Fish Border It s on your thumb, which I guess we should think of as our own little fish from now on! This point has three claims to fame: 1. Use it to relieve a sore throat. 2. Use it to relieve a pain in the thumb. 3. Use it to keep your thumb healthy, especially for Massage Therapists! Details of locating Lung 10: Locate the beginning and end of the first metacarpal (otherwise know as the long bone of the thumb ). Go to the middle of this bone. Roll your pressure right next to the bone on the palm side. Feel for a dip and/or a sore spot that s the point! I massage this point all of the time on myself. It is very relieving for the hands in general and the thumb in particular. When helping to relieve a sore throat, apply deeper pressure along with tiny circular motions in order to get the energy moving. Practice finding Lung 10 on yourself, friends and family. It won t take long until you are easily locating this point and integrating it into your practice. Looking for more information about the Lung meridian? Click here.
Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) Big Deal Point #2 Now we ll explore a very famous point, Large Intestine 4. Point: Large Intestine 4* (LI 4) Name: He Gu translated as Joining Valley LI 4 is between your thumb and first finger, on the back side of your hand. This point has four claims to fame: 1. Relieves headaches. 2. Relieves tooth aches. 3. Relieves coughs and sinus congestion. 4. Relieves hand pain. Are you wondering if LI 4 does anything for your large intestine? Weirdly it doesn t. LI 4 has more to do with respiratory issues and headaches than it does for digestion or elimination. Don t let the name fool you! *LI 4 point is contraindicated during pregnancy, so do not use this point on pregnant women. How to locate LI 4: Touch the thumb to hand. Go to the beginning of the crease between the thumb and hand. Locate the high point of the mound that is formed. LI 4 is on the high point of that mound right next to the crease. Open the thumb and squeeze the point. Think before you grab this point is often very sore, so apply and increase your pressure gently and slowly. In order to get the full benefit of this point, you need to get the energy moving by making little circles while applying pressure. For more intense headaches, you might need to apply pressure and movement for 30 seconds to one minute, rest for a few minutes and massage again for a few rounds. I always massage the feet as well as this helps drain the stuck energy out of the head.
Stomach 36 (ST 36) Big Deal Point #3 We move to the leg, and examine perhaps the biggest deal point of all time: Stomach 36. Point: Stomach 36 (ST 36) Name: Zu San Li translated as Leg Three Miles ST 36 is located just below the knee, on the outside (lateral) aspect of the lower leg. How to Find ST 36: 1. Place your hand just below the patella (knee cap). 2. On the outer surface of your leg, close to the tibia (shin bone), at the lower border of your hand, feel for the point. Reasons that ST 36 is such a big deal: The name, Leg Three Miles, reflects the action of this point to revitalize our entire system. Imagine you are on a long journey and exhausted. Stimulating this point will give you the energy to literally continue, to walk another three miles. In modern life, ST 36 helps us to recover from long term illness, stress, exhaustion, fatigue, etc. Stimulating this point increases energy (known as Qi in Chinese Medicine) and builds Blood. If we cannot digest our food we are seriously in trouble! ST 36 helps to power this critical function in our body. ST 36 relieves all kinds of digestive ailments, abdominal cramping, bloating, and pain.
Spleen 6 (SP 6) Big Deal Point #4 To the lower leg for Spleen 6. Point: Spleen 6* (SP 6) Name: San Yin Jiao translated as Three Yin Intersection *SP 6 is contraindicated during pregnancy, so do not use this point on pregnant women. It s true, you have intersecting roads on your lower leg, sort of... Meridians, the invisible lines on the body where energy (Qi, pronounced chee ) travels can loosely be imagined as roadways. Spleen 6 is a Big Deal Point because three meridians cross, or intersect, at this point. Why Spleen 6 made it to the Big Deal Point list: 1. It is a go-to point for the female reproductive system. Reading between lines, SP 6 is great for relieving those crabby symptoms of PMS. Also used to support healthy and happy menstrual cycle, which is a key to fertility. 2. Isn t #1 enough? 3. Think about the importance of blood in relation to the menstrual cycle. Spleen 6 helps to nourish the blood in general, so it is a great point support women s healthy menstrual cycles, as well as supporting our overall stamina, and energy during menstruation. Locate Spleen 6 on the inside surface of the lower leg, just above the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus). Location Tips: Place your pinky finger on the high point of the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone). SP 6 is located next to your first finger knuckle on the inside of the lower leg.
Heart 7 (HT 7) Big Deal Point #5 Let s continue with another point on the arm. Point: Heart 7 (HT 7) Name: Shen Men Spirit Gate In Chinese Medicine we say that the Spirit resides in the Heart. Heart 7 is used to calm the Spirit. Calming the Spirit means calming, and soothing the mind and emotions. Large emotional upheavals that keep us from feeling centered, disturb our sleep, and pull us out of the present moment are signs that our Spirit is not feeling settled in our Heart. When to use Heart 7: 1. To relieve insomnia. 2. To relieve anxiety. 3. To relieve hyperactive, spinning thought patterns that keep us on edge or anxious. 4. To soothe the Heart, and call the Spirit back to its home. Tips for Locating HT 7: Locate the wrist crease on the palm side of the forearm. Go to the pinky end of the crease and feel for the bone there. HT 7 is located next to this bone (pisiform bone), on the fleshy part of the wrist. Apply gentle, calm, loving touch to this point. Feel calm, and ease within yourself as you make contact with Heart 7. When bringing soothing energy to a point, hold the point with presence, and ease rather than deep, active pressure. Looking for more about HT 7? Check out balancing Fire and Water using HT 7. Click here for the blog and video.
Small Intestine 9 (SI 9) Big Deal Point #6 We are going up the shoulder area to celebrate the half-way mark of Big Tree Healing s Big Deal Points! Point: Small Intestine 9 (SI 9) Name: Jian Zhen, or True Shoulder I use this point all of the time to clear tension out of the shoulders. I also use it when my clients have neck tension or pain since the shoulder, and neck are so intwined. Uses of Small Intestine 9: 1. Chronic or acute shoulder pain, and tension. 2. Chronic or acute neck pain, and tension. 3. To support the movement of Qi (energy) between the torso, and the arm. SI 9 is located on the back of the shoulder just above the arm pit crease. Tips for getting right on to SI 9: Slide light pressure up about an inch from the back of the arm pit crease. Apply pressure diagonally up, and toward chest area of the opposite shoulder.
Bladder 60 (BL 60) Big Deal Point #7 The Bladder meridian is the longest meridian, and it has the most points of any single meridian 67! Aren t you glad you don t have to memorize all 67? As you can imagine, there is more than just one Big Deal Bladder Point. I m choosing Bladder 60 for this tip, as it is such a great point to integrate into practically any type of massage. Point: Bladder 60* (BL 60) Name: Kun Lun, Kun Lun Mountains *BL 60 is contraindicated during pregnancy, so do not use this point on pregnant women. BL 60 is a Big Deal Point: 1. Draws the Qi (energy) down from the head, neck, back, hips, and legs. BL 60 has such a downward pull that it is contraindicated in pregnancy. 2. Use to relieve pain in the head, neck, upper, and lower back, hamstrings, calf, and ankle. 3. Relieve low back pain-- Learn all about it on this Big Tree blog post. I often hold this point (along with Kidney 3 which is directly opposite BL 60) at the end of a session. Holding these points tends to draw any left over energy or tension out of the entire body give it a try, and see what happens. How to locate BL 60: Locate the high point of the lateral malleolus (outer ankle bone). BL 60 is at the mid point between the Achilles Tendon, and the high point of the lateral malleolus.
Kidney 3 (KD 3) Big Deal Point #8 It s time for a very, very, very Big Deal Point: Kidney 3. Point: Kidney 3 (KD 3) Name: Tai Xi, Supreme Stream In Chinese Medicine the Kidneys hold our Life Force. KD 3 is the number one point to support, hold, and balance our Life Energy. Kidney 3 is a very, very, very Big Deal Point! Supports the Kidneys, and Life Force... nuff said! Use this point to aid in recovery from long-term illness, exhaustion and fatigue. How to locate KD 3: Locate the high point of the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone). KD 3 is at the mid point between the Achilles Tendon, and the high point of the medial malleolus. KD 3 is directly opposite of UB 60.
Pericardium 6 (P 6) Big Deal Point #9 Let s go back up to the arm. Point: Pericardium 6 (P 6) Name: Nei Guan, Inner Gate Remember how the Heart housed the Spirit? The Pericardium acts as a protector of the Heart, and therefore of the Spirit. I think of P 6 as a gateway (notice the name of the point is inner gate ) to Heart. Using P 6: 1. It has very similar properties to HT 7 (HT 7 was week 5 tip). Calm, and soothe the emotions, and mind. 2. Relieves nausea. 3. Relieves emotions that caught in the chest. When we have a heavy load on our heart, our chest can feel heavy, and dense. P 6 helps open up the chest allows the feelings, and energy to flow. Location tips: Measure 2 inches towards the elbow from the wrist crease on the palm side of the forearm. P 6 is in the center of the palm side of the forearm just 2 inches up from the wrist crease. There is usually not much sensation on this point even though it is a very powerful point.
San Jiao 5 (SJ 5) Big Deal Point #10 We are onto a San Jiao (Triple Heater) point. Point: San Jiao 5 (SJ 5) Name: Wei Guan, Outer Gate Remember last week s tip inner gate? This point, San Jiao 5 is located directly opposite P 6. Big Deal Point SJ 5: 1. Relieves pain in the forearm, and wrist. Especially good for massage therapists, carpenters, and computer workers. 2. Keeps the Qi (energy) flowing through the forearm, and wrist which prevents strain, and pain in the wrist, and elbow. 3. Used to relieve neck, jaw, ear, and shoulder pain. 4. Key point for reducing fevers, and relieving heat from ear infections. How to locate SJ 5: Measure 2 inches towards the elbow from the wrist crease on the back side of the hand surface of the forearm. SJ 5 is in the center of the back side of the hand surface of the forearm just 2 inches up from the wrist crease. SJ 5 is directly opposite of P 6.
Gallbladder 34 (GB 34) Big Deal Point #11 Point: Gallbladder 34 (GB 34) Name: Yang Ling Quan, Yang Mound Spring Yang is active, protective, bright, moving, exciting energy. When this energy gets jammed up we feel crabby, and frustrated emotionally, and pain and tension physically. Want to change that vibe? Look to GB 34 to get that Yang Qi moving again! GB 34 - it s a Big Deal! 1. Pain on one side of the head, jaw, neck, hips 2. Short temper, frustrated, angry 3. Pain at the outer (lateral) knee 4. Use for any tendon injury anywhere in the body - it is referred to as the Influential Point of the tendons. You find GB 34 below the knee on the side of the leg be careful that you are really GB 34 and not ST 36. How to locate GB 34: Find the head of the fibula (feels like a bone blob) on the lateral (outside) surface of the lower leg, close to the knee. Slide pressure down one inch and then roll your pressure towards the shin bone (tibia). This is a tricky point to find. It is often painful, so apply extra pressure and feel for the ouch! to verify that you are on the point. Looking for more on GB 34? Check out this blog post regarding it s amazing results for Relieving Sciatic Pain.
Liver 3 (LV 3) Big Deal Point #12 Last, but not least, we come to our 12th, and final point: Liver 3. Point: Liver 3 (LV 3) Name: Tai Chong, Great Rushing This point often carries a special ZING sensation so go gently here! Using Big Deal Point Liver 3: 1. One of the most important points to relieve headaches. 2. Did I mention using LV 3 for headaches? 3. Relieves PMS, and menstrual cramps! 4. Supports the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the entire body. Flowing Qi is happy Qi. Help your Qi be happy by massaging LV 3. (That s a little rhyme for our last time...) How to locate LV 3: On the top surface of the foot, use light pressure, and slide from the meeting place of the big toe, and the first toe toward the ankle. Feel for a dip after you pass the joint of the ball of the foot that is the point. LV 3 is often very tender, so apply a little more pressure, and feel for the ouch spot to verify that you are on the point. To relieve a headache, you will have to apply extra pressure, and movement to this point which is tricky since pressure to this point usually hurts. But, the experience of pain at this point indicates that it needs massage. Apply your pressure, and motion gently at first, and increase it incrementally so your client can get the benefits.
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