Acupressure
Where it is: At the midpoint of the popliteal crease behind the knee.
Traditionally referenced for: Reference uses include acute low-back pain, sciatica, knee pain, leg weakness, and heat-related skin eruptions.
Caution: Point-specific anatomy identifies the posterior femoral cutaneous and tibial nerves, with the popliteal vein and artery at increasing depth. Avoid vascular puncture, nerve contact, and uncontrolled deep insertion.
Where it is: In the lumbar region, on the posterior midline in the depression below the spinous process of L4.
Traditionally referenced for: Reference uses include lumbar pain, stiffness, weakness of the legs, and cold-type menstrual pain.
Caution: The spinal canal lies deep to this midline point. Avoid deep insertion and adjust depth to the person's build.
Where it is: In the lumbar region, level with the lower edge of the L2 spinous process and 1.5 body-cun from the posterior midline.
Traditionally referenced for: Reference uses include chronic low-back weakness, urinary disorders, reproductive deficiency patterns, tinnitus, and fatigue.
Caution: BL-23 is included in an ultrasound database of high-risk points. WHO warns that deep lumbar needling can injure the kidney; use anatomy- and body-build-specific depth.
Where it is: In the lumbar region, level with the lower edge of the L4 spinous process and 1.5 body-cun from the posterior midline.
Traditionally referenced for: Reference uses include low-back pain, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sciatica.
Caution: BL-25 is included in imaging work on high-risk points, and CT research found soft-tissue thickness varies with BMI. Do not apply one fixed deep insertion to every patient.
Acupressure is a self-care tradition, not a substitute for assessment. Seek medical care rather than pressing points if any of the following apply:
BL-40 (Wěizhōng), GV-3 (Yāoyángguān), BL-23 (Shènshù), BL-25 (Dàchángshù). Each point below links to its full reference page with the anatomical location and cited sources.
A common approach is firm but comfortable thumb pressure for 30 to 60 seconds per point, repeated a few times. Stop if pressure causes sharp pain, numbness, or tingling.
No. Acupressure uses finger pressure on the same point locations; acupuncture inserts needles and requires qualified training. This page describes pressure only and is not needling instruction.
No. It is a self-care tradition, not a diagnosis or a treatment. Any symptom that is severe, persistent, or unusual for you needs medical assessment.
References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.