Acupressure is another tool that can be used to help maintain good eye health. It’s basically the art of using your fingers to press certain “pressure points” on the body, which trigger the normalization of energy flow in your body.
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How does eye acupressure work?
Acupressure works by the same principles that acupuncture works. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), our body has energy channels called Meridians through which energy flows. If there is a blockage, obstruction or slowing-down of the energy flow for some reason it is believed to lead to problems, and this energy flow can affect any body organ, including the eyes.
You can sometimes feel “obstructed energy”. My acupuncturist told me that you can feel it by feeling certain areas of your skin feel more swollen, full, tight, sensitive and tender than others. If you gently feel around your neck, back-of-shoulders and head (e.g. behind the ears, or on the temples), you may notice a few tender spots which may indicate that the energy is not flowing in a 100% balanced and smooth way.
The theory is that each acupuncture point (or acupressure point) is an access point to influence the energy flow. By pressing certain points, we can help normalize the energy flow, clearing up energy blockages.
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What are the acupressure points for the eyes?
There are a lot of acupressure points for the eyes:
A.) Acupressure points for the eyes on the face and head:
- Under the eyebrows, on either side of the bridge of the nose. Link to picture showing the points
- On either side of the bridge of the nose, near the corner of the eye. Link to photo showing the location
I believe this is acupuncture point is BL1 or UB1 which stands for Urinary Bladder 1, also known as Jingming. This point is known to be helpful with blurred vision and vision loss, as well as being helpful with early-stage cataracts, glaucoma and conjunctivitis - Eye socket pressure points:
- Along the upper eye socket, along the eyebrow
Here are the acupuncture points known as BL2 (aka UB2), YUYAO and TB23 (aka SJ23).
Link to image showing points locations
Each point does something a little different.
BL2 is very similar to BL1 with similar benefits.
YUYAO is good for eye problems that relate to studying too much, mental strain and worry.
TB23 is generally helpful for eye issues and general energy flow in the face area.
- Along the lower eye socket
Link to image showing points locations
Here the acupuncture points are known as ST1, QIUHOU and GB1. All of these are good for treating eye problems including short-sightedness.
NB. Below I will describe an acupressure exercise that simultaneously stimulates all these eye-socket points at once. - Third eye point: This is between your eyebrows as shown in this picture. This point’s Chinese name is “Yintang” and it is said to be good for helping eyestrain as well as other issues that may arise from energy blockages in the area (eg headaches, anxiety, sinus congestion, insomnia). To activate this point, you’d simply massage it in circular motions or use the press-release-repeat method.
- Nostril points: These points are located on either side of the nostrils, as shown in this photo. These points help energy flow that relates to clarity of vision.
B.) Hand Acupressure points for the eyes
The tips of the thumbs on the hands contain the pressure points that are linked to the eyes and also to the neck muscles, which are often closely related to the eye-muscle energy flow.
On a Hand Reflexology chart like this one, the area I’m talking about is labeled “Brain / Head” rather than eyes. In other charts it is given a more specific label of certain areas in the head or brain like “Pituitary gland”.
Massaging these can help strengthen eyesight.
The eye area is also found at the base of the index and middle fingers as shown in this hand reflexology chart.
C.) Feet Acupressure points for the eyes
If you look at a Reflexology Foot Chart, you can see that the eye zone is on the first and second toes, besides the big toe. Massaging the toes all the way to the tips may be helpful for eye health.
The right foot treats your left eye, and the left foot treats your right eye so it’s best to massage both feet.
D.) Other points that affect the eyes
The neck muscles are closely linked to the eye muscles. In order for blood flow carrying nutrients and oxygen, and in order for meridian-energy flow to reach your eyes, it has to pass via the neck. So it makes sense to me that if your neck-muscles are tight and tense, it may inhibit flow. If the neck muscles are relaxed and feeling good, your eye muscles would be better off too. For this reason, I think that a neck massage or anything that can relieve tension from the neck and shoulders, would be helpful for the eyes.
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How to do Eye Acupressure Exercises
With all acupressure exercises, you basically find the points and apply gentle pressure to them (without ever putting pressure on the eyeball). The two main techniques for acupressure are:
a.) Applying gentle pressure for a few seconds and release, and repeat. I call this the press-release-repeat method.
b.) Massage the points with small circular movements. You can do this either with your fingertips or with a finger knuckle which sometimes works better.
c.) Tapping the pressure points can increase their stimulation
You can work with any of the eye pressure points mentioned above.
If you prefer step-by-step guidance, below are 3 recommended acupressure exercises that are often recommended for improving eye health:
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1.) Inner Eyebrow Massage
This acupressure massage stimulates the under-eyebrow points (pictured in this link).
First get into a relaxed state, releasing the tension that might be in your neck or shoulders. Then use your thumbs to find the points on either side of your eyes. It should feel a little nervy when you apply light pressure to them. Close your eyes and move your thumbs in a gentle circular motion whilst applying the gentle pressure.
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2.) Around-Eye Massage
This acupressure exercise hits all the pressure points along both the upper and lower eye socket ridge (the points shown here).
Before starting, you may want to make sure you hands and face are well moisturized with something like vitamin E cream to ensure the fingers glide easily over the area.
- Get into a relaxed state, relaxing your muscles.
- Put your thumb on your temples.
- Upper rim massage: Using your knuckles on your index finger, glide the knuckle along your eyebrow, going from nose-to-temple.
- Lower rim massage: Now glide your knuckles along the lower eye rim going from nose-to-temple.
- Alternate upper rim and lower rim massage for a couple of minutes.
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3.) Nose-bridge massage
This exercise involves firstly relaxing your body and eyes (you can close them if it helps you feel relaxed), and then simply pressing-and-releasing the nose-bridge points as shown here in this picture.
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How long should you do an acupressure exercise for?
In the book “Improve your Vision Without Glasses or Contact Lenses”
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How long before you see results?
It depends on the individual, but it is recommended to use acupressure regularly, once a day, every day, and assess if you can feel a difference after giving it a good amount of time. Check in with yourself to see how you feel at 1 week, 2 week and 3 week check-points.
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Related Products
From Amazon.co.uk
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Disclaimer: Everything in this article is material the author has learned from books and online articles and is not a substitute for help from a qualified eyecare professional. Any exercises or recommendations described are applied at the risk and sole responsibility of the reader. The author takes no responsibility for any consequences arising from a reader practising anything recommended on this website.