By: Michelle Schoffro Cook   |    July 22, 2016

If you’re tired of sheep-counting and lying awake due to insomnia, rest assured you can take matters into your own hands in the form of acupressure.

You can easily massage these points on your own hands or body or ask a partner to massage the points on your hands or body, depending on the point locations. These healing points are also called acupoints. When pressed or massaged, these points can induce therapeutic functions that are specific to each point. While there are many excellent points to use for insomnia, here are some of my favorites. Keep in mind that you can do acupressure for insomnia any time of day, not just at nighttime. The points work to restore balance to the body’s energies, not just subdue symptoms. As a result, you might not fall fast asleep after using these points a single time, but if you stick with it over a series of days, you’ll likely see improvements.

Hold each of the points for at least a minute but preferably longer. Avoid using massage oils or lotions when rubbing the points, as these will typically make your skin too slippery to hold the point for any length of time. Most people find that holding the point for at least a few minutes is best.

Du 20—(pronounced like “do”) This point is also known as the “Meeting Point of a Hundred Points” because, in Chinese medicine, it supplies energy to most other acupressure points in the body and is frequently involved in many health problems, including insomnia. It is located on the top of the head about half way between the hairline on the forehead and the neck. Alternatively, imagine a line connecting the ears over the top of the head. Du 20 is the mid-point. It is a good point to start with as it encourages proper energy flow to the other points. Hold or massage this point for at least one minute, but longer if necessary. You’ll find this point on the top of the head of the illustration below.

P6—(known as pericardium 6) This is one of the points on the heart-protector meridians and is most notably known for its ability to alleviate nausea, but is also good for insomnia, anxiety and many other health conditions. It is found on the inside of the wrist about two finger widths up the arm from the wrist crease. See the photo below.

H7—In Chinese Medicine insomnia is often linked to the heart. This point, known as Heart 7, is situated along the heart meridian, which is found on the outer edge of the wrist crease in line with the little finger. It is one of the most common “tranquilizer points” used in Chinese Medicine. See the photo below.

UB62—Known as Urinary Bladder 62, this point is located at the base of the ankle bone on the outer side of the leg. It is also one of the most important sedative points on the body. See the photo below.

Also, in my experience, many people who suffer from insomnia are sensitive to caffeine or sugar, so it is best to reduce both or stop eating them after 2pm.