Massage to Relieve INSOMNIA

The Lingshu (The Vital Axis) states: "When yang qi is at its limit and yin qi is
abundant, one's eyes are closed. When yin qi is at its limit and yang qi is abundant,
one is awake." TCM holds that if yin and yang are in harmony, one's sleep is normal.
Sleeping problems are related to the state of protective qi, as well as internal
harmony of the body. Under normal circumstances, the body's protective qi flows
along the yang meridians in the daytime which enables the organs to function
actively and thus remain awake. On the other hand, protective qi flows along the yin
meridians at night, thus the body becomes inactive and needs to sleep. When the
internal harmony is disturbed, the stability of Shen (spirit) inside the heart is affected
and insomnia will then occur.
1.

Press and knead the center of the crown of the head (Du20), 30 times.

2.

Thumb-knead the inner sides of the eyebrows (Bl2), 30 times.

3.

Put the thumbs on the temple area and use the middle knuckles of the index
fingers to press the inner canthi of the eyes, then scrape apart along the upper
and lower orbits, 30 times.

4.

First rub the hands together to get them warm, then put them over the closed
eyes for 30 seconds; slightly rub the eyeballs, 10 times or more.

5.

Thumb-knead the depressions below the occipital bone (Gb20), at the bottom of
the skull, 30 times.

6.

Cross the hands and put on the abdomen, rub the upper abdomen, first
clockwise and then counterclockwise 30 times; then rub the lower abdomen
clockwise and counterclockwise 30 times.

7.

Press and knead the front of the forearm, 2-finger-breadths above the midline of
the wrist (Pc6), 30 times on each side.

8.

Press and knead the lateral side of the wrist (Ht7), 30 times on each hand.

9.

Press and knead 1-finger-breadth below the anterior crest of the tibia (St36), 30
times on each leg.

10. Press and knead 3-finger-breadths above the inner malleolus of each ankle
(Sp6), 20 times.
11. Rub the center of the sole of the foot (Kl1), 30 times on each side.
For individuals with associated signs, add the steps below:
Fatigue, dream-filled

Rub heavily along the sides of the upper and middle

sleep and palpitations

spinal column, 30 times.

Dizziness, ear ringing,

Knead heavily the kidney area, 30 times.

lumbar soreness and

Knead the depressions behind the inner ankle malleolus

seminal emission

of each ankle (Ki3), 30 times.

Blood-shot eyes,

Rub first along the side of the ribs, then the lower

irritability and

abdomen, 30 times.

constipation

Knead both sides of upper back, about mid-chest level

(Bl18),

30 times.

Knead the dorsum of the foot, depression between the

big toe and the second toe (Lr3), 30 times on each side.
Nip and knead the middle part of the palm web,
between the thumb and the index finger (Li4), 30 times
on each hand.

Massage to relieve insomnia