Acupoint massage for deep sleep: a 10-minute bedtime ritual.

Sleep: The Free Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sleep is the time when the body recharges its energy. Insomnia means your energy is imbalanced.

10 Points for Deep Sleep

For calming and relaxation:

• EX-HN1 (印堂): between the eyebrows — the "third eye point," calms the mind


• HT7 (神门): at the wrist — the "spirit gate," for deep sleep


• PC6 (内关): 3 fingers from the wrist — calms anxiety

To extinguish the brain's "fire":

• KI1 (涌泉): on the sole of the foot — draws excess energy downward


• LR3 (太冲): between the big toe and second toe — calms the Liver (the cause of insomnia when waking between 1-3 AM)

A 10-Minute Pre-Sleep Ritual

Minutes 1-2: Sit on the bed, breathe slowly 10 times
Minutes 3-4: Massage your scalp with your fingertips
Minutes 5-6: Press the point between the eyebrows for 30 seconds × 3
Minutes 7-8: Press the wrist points for 30 seconds × 3
Minutes 9-10: Rub the soles of your feet 30 times for each foot