Stress? Headache? LI-4 May Help Provide Relief

Suffering from increasing stress? Have a tension headache and probably looking for a way to help reduce or quell the pain? Wish there was a way to help yourself feel better? Maybe this point on your hand can help and you don’t have to spend any money.

LI 4 is known as He Gu or “the valley” translated. It is a point widely used in practice and in my opinion one of the most well known acupuncture and acupressure points out there. I use it all the time in combination with breathing techniques and an accommodating, relaxed, good posture.

A Youtube video dedicated to LI 4 can be found here.

Studies show that this point can “significantly reduce myofascial pain” in the muscles of the jaw. ¹ The point has also be associated with the relieving of tension and migraine type headaches. ². This point has also traditionally been contraindicated and known as “Forbidden points” during pregnancy for it’s ability to increase the risk for early uterine contraction. ³

1. 2017. Acupressure Point LI4: Large Intestine 6 or He Gu. UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. https://exploreim.ucla.edu/self-care/acupressure-point-li4/
2. 2017. Acupressure Point LI4: Large Intestine 6 or He Gu. UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. https://exploreim.ucla.edu/self-care/acupressure-point-li4/
3. 2008. E. Manheimer, G. Zhang, L. Udoff, A. Haramati, P Langenberg, B. Berman, L.Bouter. Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. http://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/11/01/what-about-forbidden-points