62    Gastrointestinal Protocol: Constipation

Constipation

General LI 4, LI 11, TW 6, Sp 15, Kid 6

With abdominal cramping add Liv 3

Gentle massage along the tibialis anterior muscle on the shin. The tibialis
anterior muscle originates in the upper two-thirds of the lateral surface of
the tibia bone, and runs along the lateral aspect of the shin to the foot.

Large Intestine 4 He Gu “Joining Valley”

Common uses: headache, pain, sinus congestion, anxiety

This point is located on hand, in the web between the thumb and
index finger.
Place the hand palm down. When the thumb and pointer finger are
pressed together, the point is located at the highest point of the
muscle between the first and second metacarpal bones.
Special considerations: contraindicated in pregnancy

Large Intestine 11 Qu Chi “Pool at the Bend”

Common uses: constipation, diarrhea, elbow pain, sore throat,

fever, skin disorders
This point is located at the elbow, midway between the radial
edge of the biceps brachii tendon and the lateral epicondyle of the
humerus, at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease.
Encourage the patient to flex the elbow at a 45-90 degree angle.
On the cubital crease, find the midpoint between the radial
border of the biceps brachii tendon and the lateral epicondyle of
the humerus. Stimulate this point with one or two fingers, or the
thumb.

INTEGRATIVE NURSING: ACUPRESSURE

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 Gastrointestinal Protocol: Constipation    63

Triple Warmer 6 Zhi Gou “Branch Ditch”

Common uses: constipation, abdominal and chest discomfort, arm

pain
This point is located on the outer (dorsal) forearm, four of the
patient’s fingers width from the wrist crease, in the depression
between the radius and ulna.
On the dorsal aspect of the forearm, measure four of the patient’s
fingers width from the wrist crease. Using the tip of the index
finger, feel for the depression, or “ditch”, between the radius and
the ulna bones, staying slightly closer to the edge of the radius.
Stimulate with the index finger or the thumb.

Spleen 15 Da Heng “Great Horizontal”

Common uses: constipation, diarrhea

This point is located on the abdomen, in the depression at
the border of the rectus abdominis muscle at the level of the
umbilicus.
Locate the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle. The
point is located in the depression at the lateral edge, at the level
umbilicus. Apply pressure with one or two fingers.

Kidney 6 Zhao Hai “Shining Sea”

Common uses: insomnia, urinary frequency, constipation, throat

dryness or irritation
This point is located below the ankle, one finger’s width below the
prominence of the medial malleolus, in the small groove between
the ligaments.
Locate the most prominent part of medial malleolus, or the inner
ankle bone. Measure one of the patient’s fingers width below the
most prominent point. Using the tip of your index finger, feel for
a small groove located between two tendons (flex and invert the
foot to highlight the tendons). The point is located in this groove.
If you can’t find the groove, feel for the spot in that area that is
most sensitive to the patient.

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 64    Gastrointestinal Protocol: Diarrhea

Diarrhea

General CV 12, St 25, St 36, Sp 9, Sp 6

With abdominal cramping add Liv 3

With fatigue add Sp 3

Conception Vessel 12 Zhong Wan “Middle Cavity”

Common uses: low appetite, nausea, vomiting, heartburn,

abdominal pain and distention
This point is located on the midline of the abdomen, midway
between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle.
Run the forefinger along upward the lower margin of the ribcage,
into the fleshy depression immediately below the solid bony edge
of the sternum. This is the sternocostal angle, where the sternum
and the cartilaginous xiphoid process meet. Find the midpoint
between the sternocostal angle and the umbilicus. Stimulate with
one or two fingers.

Stomach 25 Tian Shu “Heaven’s Pivot”

Common uses: diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and

distention, poor appetite
This point is located on the abdomen, halfway between the
midline and the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle, at
the level of the umbilicus.
Locate the midline and the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis
muscle. The point is located at the midpoint, at the level umbilicus.
Apply pressure with one or two fingers.

INTEGRATIVE NURSING: ACUPRESSURE

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 Gastrointestinal Protocol: Diarrhea    65

Stomach 36 Zu San Li “Three Leg Mile”

Common uses: digestion, fatigue, immune system support

This point is located on the lower leg, four finger widths below the
knee, near the outer edge of the shin.
Measure four of the patient’s finger widths down from the bottom
edge of the knee cap. The point is at this level, one finger breadth
out from the height of the shin bone.

Spleen 9 Yin Ling Quan “Yin Mound Spring”

Common uses: diarrhea, abdominal bloating, lower body edema,

urinary difficulty
This point is located the medial side of the lower leg just below
the knee, in a soft depression in the angle formed by the medial
condyle of the tibia and the posterior border of the tibia.
Run the finger in the groove posterior to the medial border of the
tibia until you encounter a soft, fleshy depression below the tibial
condyle. The area may feel sensitive to the patient; gentle pressure
when locating the point is recommended.

Spleen 6 San Yin Jiao “Three Yin Intersection”

Common uses: menstrual cramps, digestion, pain, anxiety

This point is located on the inside of the lower leg, four finger
widths up from the ankle bone.
Find the highest point of the inner ankle bone. Measure four of
the patient’s finger widths up from that high point. The point is
located at that level, in line with the ankle bone.
Special considerations: contraindicated in pregnancy

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 66    Gastrointestinal Protocol: Diarrhea

Liver 3 Tai Chong “Great Rushing”

Common uses: headaches, pain, menstrual cramps, anxiety, de-

pression
This point is located on the top of the foot in the space between
the bones leading up to the first and second toe.
Place your finger between the first and second toe. Slide your
finger toward the top of the foot, staying between the two bones.
The point is located in the space between the two bones, roughly
one third of the way between the base of the toes and the ankle.
Special considerations: avoid use during pregnancy.

Spleen 3 Tai Bai “Supreme White”

Common uses: fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal

distention and pain, foot pain
This point is located on the medial side of the foot, in the fleshy
depression proximal and slightly inferior to the head of the first
metatarsal bone.
Moving along the inner edge of the foot from the big toe toward
the ankle, slide your finger over the side of the ball of the foot into
the small fleshy depression.

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 Gastrointestinal Protocol: Nausea, dyspepsia    67

Nausea, dyspepsia

General Pc 6, St 36, CV 12, Kid 27

Pericardium 6 Nei Guan “Inner Gate”

Common uses: nausea, heartburn, anxiety, headache, dizziness

This point is located on the arm, three finger breadths from the
wrist crease on the inner forearm in between the two tendons.
Position the hand palm up. Measure three of the patient’s fingers
up from the crease of the wrist. This can be done by placing the
fingers of the opposite hand across the wrist, with the edge of
the ring finger at the wrist crease. The point is located at the level
where the index finger is resting, between the two tendons that
run from the wrist up the center of the arm. Stimulate with the tip
of the index finger or a thumb. A Sea-Band, or other acupressure
band, can also be worn at this point for constant stimulation.

Stomach 36 Zu San Li “Three Leg Mile”

Common uses: digestion, fatigue, immune system support

This point is located on the lower leg, four finger widths below the
knee, near the outer edge of the shin.
Measure four of the patient’s finger widths down from the bottom
edge of the knee cap. The point is at this level, one finger breadth
out from the height of the shin bone.

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 68    Gastrointestinal Protocol: Nausea, dyspepsia

Conception Vessel 12 Zhong Wan “Middle Cavity”

Common uses: low appetite, nausea, vomiting, heartburn,

abdominal pain and distention
This point is located on the midline of the abdomen, midway
between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle.
Run the forefinger along upward the lower margin of the ribcage,
into the fleshy depression immediately below the solid bony edge
of the sternum. This is the sternocostal angle, where the sternum
and the cartilaginous xiphoid process meet. Find the midpoint
between the sternocostal angle and the umbilicus. Stimulate with
one or two fingers.

Kidney 27 Shu fu “Shu Mansion”

Common uses: hot flashes, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, chest

tension, cough
This point is located on the upper chest, in the depression
immediately inferior to the clavicle, approximately two fingers
widths lateral to the midline.
Palpate the depression immediately inferior to the clavicle
approximately two fingers widths lateral to the midline. This point
may feel tender. Stimulate with one or two fingers. Alternatively,
points on both the left and right sides can be stimulated
simultaneously by using the thumb and the index or middle finger
of the same hand to gently massage the points.

INTEGRATIVE NURSING: ACUPRESSURE

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