Do we live in a stressful world or what? Stress, behavioral issues, mental health issues, etc. have all increased at alarming rates! I’m sure you’ve heard repeatedly that stress is the new smoking!
Look around. Do you see two vertical lines between people’s eyebrows? These are usually caused by frowning, stressing, frustration, headaches, and a number of other causes. When I managed a large dermatology practice years ago, we called those “11s”.
Have you noticed that often when people are stressed, they put one of more fingertips between their eyebrows and rub? Without realizing it, they are applying pressure at the Yintang!
Yintang (also known as EX-HN 3 and Extra-1) is an acupoint located at the midpoint between the inner edges of the eyebrows. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Yintang is known to induce a mentally stabilizing effect. The Yintang relaxes the sympathetic nervous system: our body’s “fight or flight response”. Known as ”The Hall of Impression”, Yintang is one of the most commonly used acupoints because it’s easy to find and manipulate. This same area is considered the third eye chakra in Hindu.
Interestingly, Yintang is not associated with any particular meridian. It is considered one of the “extra points” or “extraordinary points”. In other words, points that stand on their own. That being said, it does fall along the Governing Channel (Vessel) meridian, although not actually part of it.
What can the Yintang do for me?
Modern scientists, medical researchers, medical professionals, as well as patients are always looking for a non-pharmacologic treatment for many mental and physical disorders and/or illnesses. Importantly, anxiety and stress (whether due to psychiatric and/or physical conditions) can often be effectively relieved by Yintang. Acupuncture clinics commonly use the Yintang to calm anxiety and “monkey mind”. This helps patients settle down and decreases restlessness and agitation (particularly over things they can’t control). The ability to focus is also enhanced.
Using the Yintang for acupressure or acupuncture has also been shown to decrease insomnia, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, sinus headaches, frontal headaches, dizziness, and vertigo. The Yintang is even used for eye disorders, including itchy eye.
A 2016 case study linked the Yintang to the alleviation of cardiovascular symptoms. The patient in this study received acupuncture at the Yintang and acupressure at the pressure point below the lip. A 2017 study of patients about to undergo neurosurgery, reported that acupuncture at the Yintang reduced their pre-operative anxiety.
A meta-analysis published in the April 2018 Journal of Medical Acupuncture was undertaken in December 2017 using electronic medical databases. The analysis indicated that five different randomized controlled trials (RCTs) used acupuncture or acupressure to significantly reduce anxiety.
Is there a placebo effect? Perhaps. However, the same is also true of many studies, including drug studies. There is no way of actually knowing for sure.
Can I do Yintang acupressure on myself? If so, how do I do it?
Please note: Acupressure is not acupuncture. Do NOT try acupuncture on yourself. In acupressure, physical touch is applied to pressure or trigger points without needles.
Use your middle finger (or thumb if you desire) while lightly pressing or rubbing the Yintang. Do this for several minutes to relieve stress. Repeat as needed or desired.
If you are doing Yintang acupressure on someone else, you have several choices: 1) get behind them and use your index or middle finger to press, or 2) sit/stand next to them and use your thumb to press. I am sure there are other methods. However, it is beyond the scope of this blog to mention all of them.
Note: take slow deep breaths while applying firm pressure on the Yintang. If you desire, you can also massage in small circles while applying pressure.
Another method of Yintang self-acupressure:
Use the first and middle fingers of both hands. Use the tips of these four fingers to very gently massage the Yintang. Massage in a circular motion (either counter-clockwise or clockwise) while allowing your forehead muscles to soften.
You can practice by using either method to determine which works best for you. Again, take slow deep breaths while massaging.
The great thing about Yintang acupressure is that you can try it on yourself. The trigger point is easy to find and best of all: no needles or special equipment. If you so desire, you can also find a qualified Acupuncturist for more extensive treatments.
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