YOUR TCM WELLNESS GUIDE
mayaGua Sha & Acupressure for Neck, Shoulders & Stress Relief
A simple daily routine to release tension and support relaxation
THE BEGINNER MERIDIAN WELLNESS HANDBOOK
Simple Gua Sha, Acupressure & Meridian Practices for Everyday Wellness
Welcome 🤍 I'm so happy you're here. Whether you found me through Instagram, a friend, or one of my videos, this guide was created to help you better understand your body and learn simple wellness practices inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Before we begin, here's a quick shortcut. Looking for the tools?
👉 Soothwood Brass Gua Sha
👉 WhaleFlow Hand Gua Sha
👉 Beginner Meridian Wellness Course
Before You Begin: A Note on This Guide
You don't need any experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine or bodywork to use this guide. It's designed to be simple, practical, and easy to follow — so you can start feeling relief today, right at home.
A few things to keep in mind as you get started:
- Pressure: Firm but comfortable. You should feel a gentle warmth or mild ache — never sharp pain.
- Duration: 30–90 seconds per area is enough. Move slowly and breathe deeply.
- Frequency: You can use these techniques any time of day. Even a few minutes on 2–3 points can help your body feel more relaxed.
- Tools: Your fingers are enough to begin with. A Gua Sha tool can help maintain consistent pressure and reduce hand fatigue, especially for neck and shoulder routines.
Why So Many Women Are Turning to Gua Sha for Tension Relief
Gua Sha is a simple self-care technique used to help release tension in the body. Most people reach for it when they experience:
- Neck tightness from screens or desk work
- Shoulder tension from stress or posture
- Feeling physically stiff or "stuck"
- Difficulty relaxing at the end of the day
This guide will show you a simple way to use it at home — to help your body feel more open, more relaxed, and more like yourself.
How to Use Your Gua Sha Tool (The Right Way)
Using the tool correctly is more important than using force. Here's the basic technique:
- Apply a light oil or moisturizer
- Hold the tool at a 15–45° angle
- Glide slowly across the skin
- Use steady, light pressure
You should feel a gentle pulling or warming sensation — never pain. More pressure does not mean better results. The goal is relaxation, not intensity.
The hands are traversed by six primary meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Three Yin meridians run through the palm (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart meridians), while three Yang meridians run along the back of the hand (Large Intestine, Triple Burner/San Jiao, and Small Intestine meridians).
In TCM, the hands are considered a gateway to the body's internal systems, as these meridians connect with the organs and support the flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body.
Different fingers are traditionally associated with different organ systems and functions. For example:
• Thumb → supports the Lung and digestive system
• Index finger → associated with intestinal function
• Middle finger → commonly used for sleep support and motion-related discomfort
• Ring finger → often used for headaches and neck-shoulder tension
You don't need to understand every detail of the theory. The most important thing is learning to observe how your body responds.
Rather than memorizing dozens of acupoints, it can be more effective to focus on a few key points that work along interconnected meridian pathways associated with stress, tension, and emotional regulation.
1. PC8 — Laogong (Palace of Labor)
Location: Center of the palm
When stress accumulates emotionally—showing up as irritability, feeling overwhelmed, or mental exhaustion—this is one of the most important points to work with.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Pericardium system is closely associated with emotional protection and the body's response to stress. Laogong is traditionally used to help clear excess internal heat and release accumulated emotional tension.
The palm is also considered a natural area where tension tends to gather, especially in modern life where we spend so much time using our hands, phones, and computers.
How to Find It
Gently make a fist. The point is located where the tip of the middle finger naturally touches the palm.
How to Use It
Apply steady pressure with the thumb of the opposite hand while breathing slowly and deeply for 1–2 minutes. You may also gently scrape the area with a Gua Sha tool.
2. SI3 — Houxi (Back Stream)
Location: Outer edge of the hand
This is one of the most important points for addressing structural tension throughout the upper body.
If you experience neck stiffness, upper back tightness, or tension around the shoulder blades, Houxi is commonly used in TCM to help release the entire chain of tension running through these areas.
This point is also connected to the Governing Vessel (Du Mai), a major meridian that travels along the spine and is traditionally associated with posture, movement, and Yang energy throughout the body.
How to Find It
Lightly close your fist. The point is located on the outer edge of the hand, just behind the knuckle of the little finger.
How to Use It
Use a comfortable but firm pressure while scraping or slowly massaging the point in circular motions for 1–2 minutes on each hand.
3. HT7 — Shenmen (Spirit Gate)
Location: Wrist crease, little-finger side
If stress tends to show up as overthinking, restlessness, anxiety, or difficulty falling asleep, this is often one of the most effective points to work with.
In TCM, the Heart system is associated not only with circulation but also with the Shen—the mind, emotions, and overall mental state.
Shenmen is traditionally used to calm excessive mental activity, ease emotional agitation, and support a more balanced nervous system.
How to Find It
Turn your palm upward. Follow the wrist crease toward the little-finger side until you find a small, soft depression.
How to Use It
Apply comfortable but firm pressure, or gently scrape the area while breathing slowly and steadily for 1–3 minutes on each hand.
This is one of my most frequently used points during hand Gua Sha sessions.
My favorite tool for working this area is the WhaleFlow Gua Sha Tool →
How These Three Points Work Together
Many people approach stress as isolated symptoms—focusing only on the neck, shoulders, or head.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, however, these points are viewed as part of an interconnected system:
• Laogong (PC8) → Emotional release
• Houxi (SI3) → Structural tension relief (neck and shoulders)
• Shenmen (HT7) → Nervous system calming
Together, they create a simple daily regulation practice that addresses the underlying patterns of stress rather than just the symptoms.
Key Insight
You don't need a complicated routine.
What matters more is understanding how the body's pathways connect posture, emotional state, and physical tension.
Consistently working with these three points is often enough for people to notice meaningful improvements over time.
What's Next
Once you understand this system, Gua Sha and acupressure become much more intuitive.
You begin to recognize your body's patterns rather than simply following a list of instructions.
In the next section, we'll explore how these meridian pathways can be combined with Gua Sha techniques to support full-body tension release and overall well-being.
The Neck Routine: Release What a Long Day Builds Up
The neck is one of the most common areas where tension builds up from daily life. Here's a simple routine to try:
- Apply oil or moisturizer
- Start at the base of the skull
- Glide downward along both sides of the neck
- Repeat 5–10 times per side
Many people use this routine after long screen time or before bed to help reduce tension and support a calmer feeling.
The Shoulder Routine: Let Go of What You've Been Carrying
Shoulder tension often builds from stress, posture, and the emotional load we carry throughout the day. Try this:
- Start at the top of the shoulder
- Glide outward toward the arm
- Repeat 10–15 gentle strokes per side
- Pause briefly on tight areas
This area often feels "heavy" when stress accumulates. Slow, consistent movement can help release that sensation.
5 Acupressure Points for Daily Stress Relief
In addition to Gua Sha, simple pressure points can help support relaxation and tension relief. You don't need to learn complex theory — just focus on how your body feels.
1. Heart 7 — Shenmen (Spirit Gate)
Location: Wrist · Pinky side
If I could recommend just one acupressure point for everyday wellness, Heart 7 would be at the top of my list.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heart 7 is known as the Yuan-Source point of the Heart meridian. Beyond supporting the physical heart, this channel is closely connected to the mind, emotions, and what TCM refers to as the Shen — our inner spirit and mental calm.
When your mind feels overactive, stress starts to build, or you find yourself lying awake unable to relax, this is often one of the first points practitioners turn to. Heart 7 is traditionally used to help quiet the mind, promote emotional balance, and encourage a greater sense of calm.
How to Find It
Turn your palm upward and gently bend your wrist. Locate the wrist crease on the palm side, then move toward the little-finger side. You'll find a small hollow between the bone and the nearby tendon — that's Heart 7.
How to Use It
Apply steady, comfortable pressure with your thumb or an acupressure tool. Hold for 1–2 minutes while taking slow, deep breaths. Then repeat on the opposite wrist.
2. Yintang (Hall of Impression)
Location: Between the eyebrows
Many people naturally reach for this spot when they feel stressed, mentally exhausted, or overwhelmed. That instinct may be more meaningful than you think.
Yintang, often called the "Hall of Impression" point, is one of the most commonly used extra points in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is traditionally used to help calm mental tension, soothe discomfort in the forehead, and encourage relaxation before sleep.
Located in an area with numerous nerve endings and near branches of the trigeminal nerve, gentle stimulation of this point often creates a noticeable feeling of ease and release.
How to Find It
Look for the point directly between your eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose. You'll find a small, soft depression in the center of the forehead.
How to Use It
Using a fingertip or acupressure tool, apply light and consistent pressure. Since this area is quite delicate, gentle pressure is usually enough. Hold for 1–3 minutes while breathing slowly and deeply. You can also massage the area using small circular motions.
3. Large Intestine 4 — Hegu (Joining Valley)
Location: Hand · Between thumb and index finger
If there's one acupressure point that people around the world recognize, it's LI4.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, LI4 (Hegu) is considered one of the most versatile and frequently used points. It is commonly used to help relieve tension in the head, face, and neck, while also supporting the body's natural ability to release built-up stress and tightness.
TCM theory suggests that LI4 helps promote the smooth flow of Qi through the upper body. When stress leaves you holding tension in your jaw, neck, shoulders, or forehead, this is often one of the first points practitioners recommend.
How to Find It
Open your hand and locate the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger. The point sits near the highest part of the muscle when the thumb and index finger are brought together.
How to Use It
Using the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand, apply firm, steady pressure to the point. Hold for 1–2 minutes on each side while breathing slowly and deeply. It's common for this area to feel sensitive or slightly tender, especially when you're carrying a lot of tension.
4. Stomach 36 — Zusanli (Leg Three Miles)
Location: Below the knee · Outer shin
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Spleen and Stomach are viewed as the body's primary source of nourishment and energy production. When stress becomes ongoing, these systems can be affected, often leaving you feeling drained, mentally sluggish, or lacking vitality. ST36 is one of the most valued points for supporting and strengthening this foundation.
Often referred to as a key vitality point, ST36 is traditionally used to help maintain energy, support digestion, and promote overall resilience during periods of physical or emotional strain.
How to Find It
Sit comfortably with your knee bent. Place four fingers directly below the lower edge of your kneecap. At the level of your little finger, move about one finger-width to the outside of your shin — that's ST36.
5. Liver 3 — Taichong (Great Surge)
Location: Top of the foot · Between big toe and second toe
If stress tends to leave you feeling short-tempered, emotionally stuck, or carrying tension in your jaw, temples, and shoulders, LIV3 is a point worth knowing.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is associated with the smooth circulation of Qi throughout the body. During periods of prolonged stress, this flow may become constrained, often showing up as irritability, frustration, tension, or a feeling of being emotionally wound tight.
LIV3, the Yuan-Source point of the Liver meridian, is traditionally used to help encourage the free movement of Qi and restore a greater sense of ease and balance.
Many TCM practitioners also pair LIV3 with LI4, a combination commonly known as the "Four Gates." This classic point pairing is widely used to help release built-up tension and support the smooth flow of energy throughout the body.
How to Find It
On the top of your foot, locate the space between the big toe and the second toe. Starting at the webbing, slide your finger upward toward the ankle about two finger-widths. You'll notice a small depression just before the bones meet — that's LIV3.
How to Use It
Apply firm, comfortable pressure with your thumb and hold for 1–2 minutes on each foot. You can also use slow circular motions while maintaining steady pressure.
Most people only use one or two points when they feel stressed.
The real power comes from knowing which points work together and when to use them.
You've now learned 5 of the most useful acupressure points for stress and tension relief.
But these points become much more effective when you understand how the meridian system connects them together.
In my Beginner Meridian Wellness Course, I'll show you how to combine acupressure, Gua Sha, and meridian theory into a simple daily practice.
👉 Explore the Course
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, a few habits can get in the way of results. Watch out for these:
- Using too much pressure
- Moving too quickly
- Using the tool on dry skin
- Focusing only on one area every time
- Expecting immediate results
Consistency matters more than intensity. A few minutes of practice done regularly is more effective than occasional long sessions.
Why I Use a Brass Gua Sha Tool
You can use your hands, but many people find a tool makes the practice easier and more consistent. A good Gua Sha tool should:
- Glide smoothly across the skin
- Maintain even pressure
- Feel comfortable to hold during longer routines
I personally use a brass Gua Sha tool because it works well for full-body routines, especially for neck and shoulder tension. If you'd like, you can find the exact tool I use below.
👉 Shop the Soothwood Brass Gua Sha
Ready to Go Deeper?
Start the Meridian Wellness Course
If this guide helped you, the next step is understanding the bigger system behind it. The Beginner Meridian Wellness Course teaches you how to go deeper into your own body awareness and build a complete routine.
You'll learn:
- How tension patterns in the body are connected
- How to combine Gua Sha and acupressure effectively
- How to build a simple daily wellness routine
- How to use these techniques with confidence, not guesswork
This is where everything becomes more structured and personalized. Start when you feel ready to go deeper.
