Ever feel like you’re facing an uphill battle against germs during the winter season? It’s freezing outside, there’s so much going on, your to-do list keeps growing, and it’s also likely that you’re not getting enough rest, or sleep. This can leave you feeling run-down, stressed out, and over-extended. Classic signs that you’re pushing yourself, and your immune system needs a boost.
The good news is that there are acupressure and reflexology points that can help turbocharge your body’s defenses. Best of all, it takes just 60 seconds to practice these techniques to help boost your immunity naturally.
Learn how to activate these points to help protect you against sick co-workers who didn’t get the memo to stay home when they’re sneezing and coughing. It’s bad enough getting a white elephant gift. You don’t need to be gifted a cold either.
If you do have a cold, I recommend my Chinese Reflexology routine for a cold. But if you want some quick tips to strengthen your immune system in under 60 seconds—perfect for the busy holiday season—here are 3 potent reflexology and acupressure points to strengthen your body’s natural defenses the Traditional Chinese Medicine way.
Each of the points has a specific purpose and unique benefits, so you can choose the best points for you based on what you’re experiencing right now.
But take note that these pressure points work synergistically together. Unlike conventional medicine that silos your body into individual parts, Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach because your body’s systems work together.
As a result, the more reflexology points you massage, the more holistic and well-rounded the benefits are. Thus, if you’ve got time, I’d highly recommend massaging all three together, especially if you’ve been super busy, or feeling stressed.
Read on to learn how to locate and massage the reflexology and acupressure points for boosting your body’s defenses. Plus, discover which points are better based on your symptoms and circumstances.
1. Chinese Reflexology Point for the Lungs
Massaging the Lung reflexology point helps strengthen your Lung qi. Lung qi is a special type of energy that acts like a force field to protect your body against the invasion of external evil, which is Chinese Medicine’s way of describing germs.
Activate this reflexology point to help protect you against sick co-workers who didn’t get the memo to stay home when they’re sneezing and coughing. It’s bad enough getting a white elephant gift. You don’t need to be gifted a cold either.
Location of the Chinese Reflexology Lung Point
- Rectangular-shaped area on ball of foot
- Located below the three middle toes, on both feet
60-Second Reflexology Massage for Lungs
- Grab your left foot with both hands, so that your fingers are wrapped around the top of the foot.
- Press both thumbs into the area, and use your thumb tips to massage small circles.
- Start in the top left corner, and work your way across and down the area until you have massaged the entire Lung reflexology point.
- Massage for 30 seconds per foot, which adds up to 60 seconds in total.
2. Chinese Reflexology for the Throat and Tonsils
The tonsils are an integral part of your immune system. They’re one of the first lines of defense against respiratory infections because they contain white blood cells that help kill germs.
In addition, your throat is full of lymph nodes, which also contain white blood cells. Lymph nodes filter waste products from lymph fluids (aka the aftermath of fighting off infections). As a result, they can become swollen or tender as your body’s immune system goes to work.
Massaging the reflexology point for the throat and tonsils sends healing qi (life force energy) to your tonsils, throat, and the lymph nodes in your neck. This is a great point to massage when you feel like you’re on the cusp of getting a sore throat, or if you’re in close proximity to someone who has a cold and you’re breathing in their exhalations. Send in the qi to fortify your body’s natural defenses!
Location of the Chinese Reflexology Point for the Throat and Tonsils
- Located on the tops of both big toes
- Consists of two small circles, located just below the toe knuckle, one circle on either side of the toe bone
60-Second Massage for Throat and Tonsil Reflexology Point
- Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Make a fist with the same hand as the foot you’re about to massage (left hand for left foot, and right hand for right foot).
- Reach down and place the first two knuckles (middle finger and index finger) onto the two circles that make up the throat and tonsil point.
- Gently press into the area with your knuckles.
- Then twist your wrist, like you’re wiggling a key in a door knob. Press and twist for 30 seconds per foot, which adds up to 60-seconds in total. If you’ve got the flexibility, you can massage both feet at the same time. Then you’ll reduce the total time to just 30 seconds. Booyah!
3. Stomach 36 Acupressure Point (Zu San Li)
Stomach 36 is one of the most commonly used acupuncture points because its benefits are so wide-reaching, and it’s really effective. Massaging this acupressure point can help improve digestion, boost your life force energy, and strengthen your body’s overall vitality and immunity.
The Chinese name for this point is Zu San Li, which means leg three miles. As legend has it, this point got its name because when you’re totally exhausted and on your last legs, you can massage this point for an extra boost, and continue traveling for three extra miles.
Location of the Stomach 36 Acupressure Point
- Located 4-fingerwidths below the knee-cap on the front outer edge of your shin
60-Second Acupressure for Stomach 36
- Sit in a chair with your knees bent.
- Reach down with your left hand and gently feel for your left knee cap.
- Just below the outer corner of the knee cap, you’ll feel a noticeable indentation. Take note of where this indentation is.
- Then press the four fingers of your left hand together, like how you would if you were giving a high five.
- Line up your index finger with the indentation below the knee cap, so that your fingers are perpendicular to your leg.
- Stomach 36 is directly below where your pinky finger lies, in line with the indentation below the knee cap. This immune-boosting acupressure point is essentially located on the front outer edge of your shin.
- Make a loose fist with both hands. Reach down and press your knuckles into this area on both legs.
- Rub up and down on both legs simultaneously for 60 seconds. If this feels like a lot of effort, you can reduce the massage time to 30 seconds per leg, or do one leg at a time.
60-Seconds to Boost Immunity Naturally
Practice the points individually, or sequentially in the order listed below. As I mentioned earlier, it’s better to take a holistic approach. But keep in mind that while more points are beneficial, it is NOT beneficial to over-massage these pressure points, especially the reflexology ones.
Please follow the times listed below. If you feel friction or skin irritation, stop massaging and take a break for a few days until the irritation has resolved. Moving forward, massage less (e.g. half as often and/or half the time) to avoid irritating your skin.
- 60-Second Lung Reflexology Boost: 30 seconds on left foot + 30 seconds on right foot
- 60-Second Throat and Tonsil Reflexology Boost: 30 seconds on left foot + 30 seconds on right foot
- 60-Second Stomach 36 Acupressure Immune Boost: 60 seconds, massaging both legs at the same time
I recommend stimulating the points when you need a natural boost to your qi, which helps strengthen your body’s defenses. Massage for a minimum of 3 days in a row, and a maximum of up to 7 days; from 1 to 3 times per day.
If you need an immune boost for longer than a week, it’s better to strengthen your whole body and make sure you get enough rest. When your body is rested, strong and in balance, your immune system is naturally stronger. If you want to dive deeper, and learn how to strengthen your body with Chinese Reflexology, join the waitlist for my 6-month Sole Mastery program to learn how to transform your health naturally the Chinese Medicine way.
You can also get free reflexology charts and a complimentary mini course to introduce you to Chinese Reflexology by filling out the form below:
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The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Nurturing your body’s qi (life force energy) is the Chinese Medicine path for good health, vitality and resilience. I first learned Chinese Reflexology about 20 years ago. It was one of the most empowering and best gifts that I gave to myself. It’s also a gift that keeps on giving because I can share my knowledge with friends and family, and you too!
Stay healthy over the winter season.
Lots of Love and Light,
Holly
