Acupressure for neck pain

Neck pain relief points:Three pressure points that help to get relief from neck pain are: GB 20 (Wind Pool), GB 21 (Shoulder Well), UB 10 (Heavenly Pillar)

• GB 20: Wind pool point is present on the back of neck, at base of skull. Massaging the point relieves stiffness, shoulder pain, headache and pinched nerve pain.

To locate the points, place your hands back of head, use thumbs to locate two depressions on the edge of neck muscle. Use thumbs to firmly and gently press up towards the skull. Release the pressure slightly if the point feels tender. Hold it for few seconds (7-15 seconds), breath deeply and release.

• GB 21: Shoulder Well point, present at top of the trapezius muscle, halfway between the midpoint of spine and outermost bone of shoulder. It releases neck pain, stiffness, shoulder pain, frozen shoulder.

Rest index, ring and middle fingers of right hand on the left trapezius muscle. Using middle finger firmly press the point in the center for few seconds. Close eyes take deep breath. Repeat the acupressure on other side of the shoulder.

• UB 10: or Heavenly Pillar point, present on back of neck on outer edge of trapezius muscle downwards from wind pool point. Relieves neck pain, shoulder pain, upper back pain and headache.

Use thumbs to find the point by placing your hands back of head. Press firmly and apply gentle pressure using thumbs on the points. Hold fore few seconds, take breath, release. Repeat few times.

After releasing the points, clasp hand on back of head. Move elbows forward and exhale. Move elbows backwards as much as you can and inhale. Repeat it 4 to 5 times. Holding clasped hands, twist upper body left and right few times.