PRESS THIS POINT FOR COLD & FLU SYMPTOMS—AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS!
Large Intestine 4 is one of the few acupuncture points that people who have never had acupuncture before are familiar with. It's the pressure point located between your thumb and index finger.
Large Intestine 4 is kind of the mother of all acupuncture points. It's a great point to know because it's used to treat almost anything you can think of: headaches, chills and fever, runny nose, stiff neck, sweating issues, sore throat, dizziness, low back pain, constipation, skin problems, toothache, sinusitis, rhinitis, nosebleeds and more.
So, why does Large Intestine 4 have such wide-ranging applications? Large Intestine 4 is what’s known in acupuncture as a source point. Every meridian has one. Source points behave sort of like central stations on subway lines. They are hubs where internal and external energies gather and transform. They are single, high-concentration points that grant access to the larger system. Large Intestine 4, as source points go, is especially moving in nature—meaning, it's a powerful point that helps break up stagnation.
Probably the best-known use of Large Intestine 4 is to treat what are known as Wind conditions: chills and fever, runny nose, headaches, stiff upper back and neck, too much or too little sweating, sore throat, dizziness, etc. Large Intestine 4 is a go-to point for these types of symptoms.
Other common indications for Large Intestine 4 include toothache, sinusitis, rhinitis, nosebleeds, and Bell’s Palsy. This is because the Large Intestine meridian travels up to the face, so almost any symptom related to that region calls for the point.
Large Intestine 4 is usually sore with firm pressure applied. That's normal. If you can breathe through it, it's great to press to the point of slight soreness. This means the point is working its magic! Apply firm pressure on the side of whatever's ailing you (you can do both sides if your issue isn't side-specific) for 1-2 minutes.
NOTE: Large Intestine 4 is contraindicated during pregnancy.