Those of us who have suffered from eczema (such as Atopic Dermatitis) know how unpleasant this condition can be. Fortunately, there are techniques that can ease the symptoms of this condition. After considerable research, I have found out that a number of different sources (sites dedicated to the problem of eczema or acupuncture manuals), agree on the same techniques for this skin issue.

In this post, I am going to share several techniques which, if practiced daily for a number of weeks, may bring relief.

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure have both proven to be successful in relieving symptoms of eczema. First, let’s have a look at the difference between these two ways of treatment:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses fine needles, inserted at specific points along the body’s energetic pathways (meridians). This is believed to restore and balance the flow of energy necessary for healing. You need to find a qualified acupuncture practitioner to get a treatment, and you’ll usually need a number of sessions for the treatment to be effective.

Acupressure

Acupressure works on the same principle, but uses fingertips instead of needles. This means that you can apply this treatment to yourself or others, at home or wherever suits you.

Improvement Through Acupressure

In one of their articles at nationaleczema.org, Kachiu C. Lee, M.D. and Peter A. Lio, M.D. describe a study that has been conducted by Northwestern University’s Department of Dermatology to explore the effects of acupressure.

The participants of the experiment – all eczema sufferers – were divided into two groups: An experimental group and a control group. Both groups were instructed to continue their usual regime of eczema treatments, such as oral medications, steroid creams, moisturizers etc.

The subjects from the experimental group were also instructed to apply pressure at a specific acupuncture point (shown later in this article). They would have to do this on a daily basis for four weeks.

The participants in the control group were told to just stick to their usual regime of treatment, and not use any acupressure or acupuncture during these four week period.

The Results

After the four weeks passed, all participants were invited for follow-up examination. The subjects in the experimental group (those who were instructed to work with specific acupressure points) reported noticeable improvement of their eczema symptomps, including decreased itching sensation.

The participants from the control group who did not use any acupressure, had no noticeable change in their skin condition.

Acupressure Point for Eczema

The acupressure point used in the study was Large Intestine 11. This point lies on the energetic channel that not only nourishes the organ Large Intestine, but impacts the health of other organs and systems such as the skin. This is where it is located:

Large Intestine 11

There are two more points which are often used for alleviating symptoms of eczema, and I would highly recommend including these in your daily routine, together with the Large Intestine 11 (LI 11).

These are: Spleen 10 and Bladder 40.

Spleen 10

Bladder 40

How to Apply Acupressure

To work with the acupressure points, use your thumb (on any finger of your preference) and apply steady pressure to a given point. Rub/stimulate the point in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Ideally, you may want to do this on a daily basis for at least two weeks, or until you start noticing some relief in itchiness, sensation of heat, or the number of lesions.

It is best to incorporate the acupressure sessions in your daily activities, e.g. when you relax, watch TV, wait in a queue, lie in bed, etc.

Perseverance Pays Off

Working with the points is easy: Simply press or rub the point in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. However, if you’d like to see results, it is necessary to stick to this treatment for a number of weeks, as in the experiment by the Northwestern University’s Department of Dermatology. Just integrate it in your daily routine and you may be well rewarded for your discipline sooner or later.

Recap

The three acupressure points for alleviating symptoms of eczema are:

Large Intestine 11

Spleen 10

Bladder 40.

They should be stimulated/rubbed in circular motion for 1-2 minutes.

Here are pictures of each point once more:

Large Intestine 11

Spleen 10

Bladder 40

Healthy Liver

Another important point to mention in connection with eczema is the health of the liver which regulates detoxification of the blood. Often, the red itchy patches will become more inflamed when your blood has high level of toxins.

Massaging the Neurolymphatic Points

One way to encourage the elimination of those toxins is by regularly massaging the neurolymphatic points of the Liver, which are located (all along the line) under the right breast. This method is frequently used by osteopaths, chiropractors, kinesiologists, energy medicine practitioners etc.

Questions or Comments

I hope you will find some of these techniques useful. If you have any questions or comments, do let me know in the comment section below.

This post is dedicated to our lovely neighbour who suffers from seasonal allergies like I do. If you are one of us, you may find the information here helpful.

If you are short of time and can’t read the whole article, just watch this short video by Carey Philips, Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner. It is thanks to so her tips that I managed to ease the irritating symptoms of hayfever.

How This Video Helped Me

I woke up last week into a beautiful May’s morning, and as soon as I breathed in the flower-scented air, I started sneezing, couldn’t stop blowing my nose (and waking up my husband with the annoying fanfare), and my eyes felt all puffy and itchy. As an energy medicine enthusiast, I started looking for some tips on YouTube, and found Carey’s video.

A Surprisingly Fast Relief

I followed all the exercises demonstrated by Carey, but one technique in particular seemed to work incredibly fast: When I started pressing and massaging an acupuncture point on my instep, (called Liver 3 – see the picture in Technique 3) after about a minute of doing so, the tingling in my nose, as well as the sneezing, suddenly stopped. My eyes stopped itching as well.

I felt very different from just a few moments back – what a relief. I immediately shared this technique with my husband, who was suffering from the same issue, and, to our joy, his symptoms eased as well. We entered our garden, and instead of having to run back in the house and hide from all the pollen flying in the air, we enjoyed breakfast outside without any symptoms. 

A Closer Look at the Techniques

Let’s have a closer look at the techniques in Carey Philips’ video. These exercises – if practiced frequently – can boost the immune system, stimulate a healthier flow of energy in your body, and address allergy symptoms such as headaches, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, runny or congested nose, or sore throat.

Technique 1: Four Thumps

(0:30 – 1:10 in the video)

This is adapted from Donna Eden’s Daily Energy Routine, a simple but powerful set of exercises that help boost your immunity and establish healthy habits in your body’s energy systems.

I highly recommend learning the whole Daily Energy Routine and doing it every day. I credit this for not having had a cold for more than two years – since I have started practicing it daily. I’ll share Donna Eden’s video of the whole sequence at the end of this post.

Technique 2: Figures of Eight Around the Eyes

(1:10 – 1:31 in Carey Philip’s video)

Draw, tap or pinch figures of eight around your eyes. This will help relieve congested energy.

Technique 3: Liver 3 Acupuncture point

(1:32 – 2:13)

This is the technique that worked for me most in terms of easing the hay fever symptoms.

Find the Liver 3 acupuncture point on the instep of your foot, press and massage it. Carey Philips Explains very well how to find it, so I recommend skipping the segment in the video (1:40). Massaging this point helps relieve itchiness of the eyes and other allergic symptoms such as sneezing, which I’m happy to confirm through my own experience.

What I find interesting is that if you press this point and find it point tender, it confirms that the energy is stuck there, thus in need of a good massage in order to free the energy – and easing your symptoms as a consequence.

Here is an illustration of the Liver 3 point, as seen in the app called Points:

Note: This image is licensed to Miridia Acupuncture Technology, the developer of the Points app. You can read my review of the app here.

Technique 4: The Crown Pull

(2:13 – 2:52)

This technique helps relive congested energy in the head, which often manifests through headaches, sinus pressure or difficulty to concentrate.

Technique 5: Large Intestine 4 Acupuncture point

(2:53 – 3:25)

As with the Liver 3 point on the foot, (technique no 3), frequently massaging this point down the webbing between your thumb and index finger helps relieve sneezing and runny nose.

And again, if you press this point and find it tender, it’s a sign that you need to work on it.

This image is the property of Miridia Acupuncture Technology.

Technique 6: Triple Warmer Smoothie

(3:28 – 4:10)

When we have allergies, the meridian Triple Warmer is over-active, so it’s helpful to calm its energies by tracing its flow backwards. Follow the video to learn this technique, which helps with easing allergic symptoms, as well as making you feel calmer in general. I’m happy to share that this technique has helped me many times during stressful situations, helping me not to over-react or simply ‘lose it’!

Technique 7: Massage Spleen meridian end points

(4:12 – 4:28)

Massaging these acupressure points helps strengthen immunity and rebalance your energies.  

This image is the property of Miridia Acupuncture Technology.

The Daily Energy Routine

Here is Donna Eden’s Daily Energy Routine, which you can easily incorporate in your day – it can be done in bed, in the shower, while waiting for the kettle to boil, on the walk…and it will always reward you with notable benefits, such as more energy, improved focus, better mood, and increasingly stronger immune system.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Carey Philips for her helpful video. You can visit her website here: https://wellintolife.com/

Also, my big thanks go to Miridia Acupuncture Technology for  developing the brilliant Points app.

Shares and Comments

I hope that you have enjoyed this post. Please feel free to share it with anyone you know that may find it helpful. And, if you’d like to share your experience or ask a question, just leave a comment further down this article. Be well and hayfever-free!