Acupressure for Summer Heat and Humidity
- Rubinah Atcha
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Summer is a glorious time to bask in the warmth and sunshine that nature bestows upon us. Many of us dream about Summer during the cold, dark days of winter. However, the heat of Summer isn’t for everyone, and the hottest and most humid days can pose real health risks for most. The benefits, cautions, as well as some lifestyle tips & recipes for Summer were discussed in a previous article. Here, let us dive into the specific Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pathogen of Summer Heat and acupressure points that can help.
Six Exogenous Pathogenic Factors
The term “pathogenic” can seem very alarming when viewed from a modern medical perspective of bacteria and viruses. In TCM however, the meaning is quite different.
Pathogens in TCM are any factor that causes imbalance in the body. Internal pathogenic factor refers to pathological states generated within the body due to organ dysfunction, emotional imbalances, or lifestyle. The disruptions arise internally and often manifest as the Five Elements moving out of balance. Exogenous pathogenic factor on the other hand, refers to environmental influences that can disrupt the body's normal balance.
These exogenous pathogenic factors are:
Wind
Cold
Heat
Dampness
Dryness
Summer Heat
They are not “bad” or pathogenic in and of themselves. Nature and humans need different types of weather in order to thrive. When an individual’s body is unable to adapt due to temporarily being weakened, or the weather is extreme however, unpleasant symptoms will arise. Some people get uncomfortably dry skin during Autumn, or worsening joint pain in Winter. During high Summer, we can feel agitated or extra sluggish on humid days.
Acupressure for the Summer Months
In addition to seeking out Registered Acupuncture services and making lifestyle & dietary changes, self-massage on specific points can help with the symptoms you might feel during summer.
Symptoms can include:
Intense thirst
Agitation & irritability
Heaviness in the head or brain fog
Fatigue & sluggishness
Fever
Short of receiving acupuncture, from a TCM standpoint acupressure can:
Regulate Body Temperature- Help your body stay cool by promoting better blood circulation and delivering a sense of cooling off.
Reduce Inflammation- Combat the swelling and discomfort that hot weather can exacerbate.
Enhance Relaxation- Lower stress levels and promote mental clarity, making it easier to handle the heat.
Points to Keep You Cool
To clear summer heat and calm stress, focus on acupressure points that regulate body temperature and ground your nervous system. The most effective points for this include Large Intestine 11 (LI 11), Heart 8 (HT 8), Pericardium 3 (PC 3), Pericardium 6 (PC 6) and Spleen 9 (SP9).
LI 11 (Large Intestine 11 / Quchi)
Location: On the outer end of the elbow crease when you flex your arm.
Benefits: A classic point to clear excess heat from the body and lower fevers, as well as reduce heat-related inflammation and skin flare-ups.
HT 8 (Heart 8 / Shaofu)
Location: On your palm. When making a loose fist, it is exactly where your pinky fingertip lands.
Benefits: Cools "heart fire," alleviating excessive thirst, irritability, restlessness, and heat-induced insomnia.
PC 3 (Pericardium 3 / Quze)
Location: At the center of the transverse crease on the inner elbow.
Benefits: Used to treat heatstroke symptoms and reduce the anxiety, aggitation or palpitations associated with extreme heat.
PC 6 (Pericardium 6 / Neiguan)
Location: On the inner forearm, three fingers above the wrist crease.
Benefits: Calms the spirit, reduces anxiety, and alleviates nausea or brain fog commonly experienced on hot summer days.
SP9 (Spleen 9 / Yinlingquan)
Location: On the inner side of the lower leg about four finger breadths from the knee crease next to the tibia bone.
Benefits: Reduces swelling especially in the lower legs and feet, helps with lack of appetite, resolves heavy feeling headaches and brain fog.
Apply firm, circular pressure for 2–3 minutes per point to release excess internal heat. Images from www.acumeridianpoints.com.
Note: These are general recommendations and may not be appropriate for everyone. A TCM assessment with a licensed practitioner is recommended for suggestions best suited to you as an individual.
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I struggle with all these symptoms plus eczema that gets worse with heat and humidity. I found this to be super informative and easy to follow. I definitely want to try these with the cooling recipes from the other summer article. Thank you!