The Ling Gu Point: Instant Sciatic Pain Relief

You can practice this technique at home by applying pressure to the area with your fingers to get instant relief for different types of pain, such as that caused by your period, headaches or back pain.

Acupuncture involves treating different vital points in order to provide you with a feeling of well-being and help you get rid of pain and sickness. Although a full acupuncture session generally focuses on several points, the ling gu point is one of the most important ones.

In this article, we’re going to talk about the ling gu point. This point can provide immediate relief for sciatic pain and other backaches. Learn more in the following article.

Ling Gu: a Point to Pay Attention to

The point known as ling gu, which means “spirit bone,” can be manipulated on a daily basis to treat a number of problems, most of which relate to back pain. That’s why this particular point is very popular among people who have office jobs that require them to sit in a chair all day long.

A Bit of History

The discoverer of this acupuncture point was master Tung. This Chinese doctor was famous throughout his country for the results he produced in his patients with the techniques he used. He stands out from other acupuncturists because he used a small number of needles to achieve great effects.

The points Master Tung discovered remained a family secret for several generations. Eventually, he decided to reveal them to a group of students. Now, because of that decision, we have access to their benefits.

Ling Gu Location

The Ling Gu point is located in the upper part of the hand. More precisely, you can find it between your first and second metacarpals.

In other words, it is located between your thumb and your index finger, a bit above the soft section that allows your thumb to be “independent” from your other four fingers. If you put a finger from your other hand on this point, then you’ll find an empty space.

Relief for Many Health Problems

If you work with this point correctly, it can rapidly alleviate sciatic pain and other backaches. Sciatic pain tends to concentrate in the lower back area and down into the legs. This terrible discomfort keeps people from moving around as they normally would.

In order to achieve the desired effect, the needle should be placed in the opposite ling gu point. In other words, if you are experiencing pain down into your right leg, you should work with your left hand. The person feels relief within just a few minutes in 75% of cases.

Treating this point can also be effective for the alleviation of other types of pain such as:

• Back pain
• Headaches
• Foot pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Ear issues
• Shoulder pain

This point is so strong that, in the case of pregnant women, acupuncturists don’t event touch it because it can induce labor.

You Can Alleviate Pain Just by Squeezing Your Hand

According to ling gu experts (also known as hegu), when you apply pressure to this spot between the thumb and index finger, you can calm anxiety and back pain. This is especially true for sciatic pain, as well as headache. Acupuncturists use a needle to treat this spot, but you can also make use of it by applying pressure to that area.

Chinese acupuncture recognizes more than 300 points on the body. Among them, the ling gu point seems to be one of the most useful, especially for relief of spine and back pain.

Not enough studies have been carried out in order to prove whether or not the above is true. Nonetheless, traditional Asian medicine has included this spot as one of its “favorite” treatment points for hundreds of years.

No one knows exactly how the ling gu point works. A recent study about treatments with acupuncture needles in the hands indicates that it increases blood flow, thus alleviating pain. Other research studies suggest that it increases the production of endorphins. These are a type of hormone known for being a natural analgesic.

Acupuncturists often work with the ling gu point as part of a personalized treatment plan to get rid of pain. This plan includes a number of other points throughout the body.

For example, the points used with  a patient suffering from an anxiety disorder are different from the ones that will work to treat menstrual cramping. However, the ling gu point is most likely a common denominator in both treatments.

How to Do it

Maybe you want to try working with your own ling gu point. If so, acupuncturists suggest the following steps:

1. Place one finger on the fleshy area between your opposite thumb and index finger.
2. Put your index finger on one side of your hand.
3. Press down hard. If you do it right, it will hurt.

One or two minutes may be enough. However, you will start to see real benefits after 20 to 40 minutes of constant pressure. If you are unable to obtain any relief after pressing down on one hand for a while, try with the other hand.

The idea is that you can perform this technique alone. You can do it either at home or in the office. You can even do it while traveling to work on the bus.

We do not recommend the use of needles without proper knowledge of the topic or without the supervision of an expert.

By applying pressure to the ling gu point, you’ll be able to minimize back and sciatic pain, as well as headaches and menstrual stomach cramps. Try to maintain pressure for 30 minutes. Equally important is not to wait until the pain is so bad that you can barely move.