🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Pain is a very common symptom and often occurs when no doctor or medicine is available. At such times, you may not know that pressing the corresponding acupoints with one finger can often produce immediate relief.
1. Headache: During a headache attack, press the Hegu and Neiguan acupoints with your thumb, applying upward pressure to create a sensation of soreness and distension that radiates upward. Pressing both points simultaneously yields better results. For severe headaches, you may also press the painful spot with your fingers for 1–2 minutes. This method is especially effective for vascular neuralgia.
2. Toothache: Locate the tender point on the cheek corresponding to the toothache, then use your index finger dipped in Zheng Hong Hua oil to press the tender point, applying pressure until local soreness and distension are felt. Pain usually subsides within several minutes. If pain persists, for upper toothache press the Xiaguan acupoint (depression below the zygomatic arch in front of the ear) on the affected side; for lower toothache, press the Jiache acupoint (prominence at the angle of the jaw) or the Hegu acupoint (muscle prominence at the web between thumb and index finger) on the affected side. Press each acupoint for 1–2 minutes to relieve pain.
3. Sore Throat: Press the Tianzhu acupoint located at the lateral edge of the neck muscles near the hairline, creating a sensation of soreness and distension, then press Hegu for 5 minutes to alleviate pain.
4. Neck Pain: Neck pain is commonly caused by "wry neck" (cervical stiffness). Select the "Wry Neck" acupoint located between the second and third metacarpal bones on the back of the hand, slightly posterior, and press it with a sensation of soreness and distension radiating upward. Meanwhile, gently move the neck. For patients with a cord-like tender area, use the thumb to perform a downward peeling motion from top to bottom. Relief can be achieved within minutes.
5. Breast Pain: Find the tender point between the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae and the scapula on the affected side, then press it with the thumb to relieve pain. Adding pressure to the Tianzong acupoint (central point of the scapula on the affected side) enhances the effect.
6. Side Stabbing Chest Pain: Along the rib line of chest pain, locate a tender point about 1.5 cun lateral to the spine. First, have the patient inhale deeply to expand the chest, then press downward with the thumb at the tender point. Sometimes a "crack" sound is heard, indicating proper realignment of the costovertebral joint. Alternatively, after pressing, gently tap the painful area on the back with the palm while breathing in.
7. Angina Pectoris: When angina occurs, extend the right fist, and press the Zhiyang acupoint (intersection of the midline between the two scapular inferior angles and the spinal column) with the middle fingertip of the extended fist. Rest the fist against the backrest of a chair, lean the upper body backward so the fingertip presses firmly into Zhiyang, creating a sensation of soreness and distension until the angina subsides.
8. Gastric Pain: First locate tender points or subcutaneous nodules along the spine between the fifth and tenth thoracic vertebrae. Press the Zhiyang acupoint with the tip of a fist, or have someone else press it with their thumb. In some cases, pain disappears within 1–3 minutes. For stubborn cases, add pressure to the Zusanli acupoint (four finger-widths below the knee, one finger-width lateral to the tibia), which produces significant relief.
9. Biliary Colic: First identify sensitive tender points—(1) at the outer edge of the junction between the eighth and ninth costal cartilages (outer side of Riyue acupoint), and (2) at the bilateral sides of the eighth and ninth vertebrae, 2–3 cun away. Press these two tender areas with the fingertip, gradually increasing pressure over 5–10 minutes to relieve pain.
10. Low Back Pain: For acute sprain-related low back pain, press the Sprain acupoint. Bend the elbow at 90°, press the point just below the elbow crease, two finger-widths down, where there is obvious soreness and distension. Press this tender point with the thumb to a tolerable level while moving the waist. Pain typically eases within minutes.
11. Abdominal Pain: Press the Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints with the thumb for 10 minutes to relieve pain. For severe cases, press the tender point on the radial side of the second metacarpal bone midway, or the tender points between the ninth and twelfth thoracic vertebrae, until pain subsides.
12. Dysmenorrhea: Press the Diji acupoint (four finger-widths below the inner ankle, at the lower margin of the tibia) and the Sanyinjiao acupoint (three cun above the inner ankle) with the thumb. Alternatively, find the tender point on the radial side of the second metacarpal bone on the back of the hand and press it. Performing this daily several times before menstruation can prevent or reduce menstrual pain.
13. Limb Injury Pain: For localized pain, locate the corresponding tender point on the healthy limb and press it while moving the injured area. For example, if the right lateral malleolus is sprained and the tender point is directly below the ankle tip, press the left ankle tip below to induce soreness and distension while moving the right ankle. For superficial pain after long-standing injury, use the fingernail to press and flick the area alternately—this also proves effective.
These methods provide good pain relief, but note that while relieving pain, one should actively treat the underlying disease to achieve complete cure.