At some point in life, a majority of people must have felt a dreadful sensation in which suddenly, the heart starts to race and beat so hard that it can be literally felt by the person as if it’s about to explode any second, and the person panics as if he’s experiencing a heart attack. This rapidly beating heart sensation or heart palpitation, more often than, is in itself totally harmless. But frequently occurring palpitations can suggest a heart condition that’s set off by anxiety. Individuals suffering from panic attacks and nervousness are the most susceptible to this condition. Heart palpitations may also manifest as skipping heart beats. For most of us, palpitations can be distressing and confusing, yet this issue can be easily treated successfully and/or controlled by means of acupressure therapy which is designed to increase circulation and relax the whole body. One can begin feeling well emotionally and physically as tension is set free and they can begin to attain a new view of the problems that underscore their nervousness and anxiety.
Nervousness and Palpitation – Causes
Nervousness and unexpected flutter in the chest can be due to a number of health conditions and factors including:
Vitamin B12 deficiency
PVCs or Premature ventricular contractions
Anxiety attack
Inadequate potassium in your blood
Hyperthyroidism
Generalized anxiety disorder
Too much caffeine intake
Bipolar disorder
Atrial fibrillation
Acute reaction to stress
When stimulated, the following acupoints can instill deep relaxation in the body, and they usually activate a chain of new insights and thoughts that can help offset the feelings of fear, nervousness, and anxiety.
Kidney 27 (K 27) Acupoint
The pressure point Kidney 27 or K 27 is a very commonly used acupoint that helps to resolve a variety of health issues and diseases. This acupoint is also known as the Shu Mansion, and it is located hollow adjacent to the breastbone under the collarbone.
Liver 3 (Lv 3) Acupoint
The Liver 3 or Lv 3 is a powerful acupoint that helps resolve the problem of how to manage and control nervousness, palpitations, and anxiety. This acupoint is located in the fleshy webby areas between the second and big toes on the top side of the foot. On both feet, this point can be stimulated by pressing it for a minute with the index finger.
The Lv 3 is used to promote the flow of Chi; tonify the liver; facilitate relaxation; and relieve worry, anxiety, and stress. It can help treat male impotence, sleeplessness, eye problems, PMS, lower back pain, and reduce high blood pressure.
Conception Vessel 17 (CV 17) Acupoint
When stimulated, this acupoint can treat hysteria, depression, anguish, anxiety, nervousness, emotional imbalance, and tightness in the chest. It treats other conditions like sore throat, mastitis, deficient lactation, cough, and asthma.
Pericardium 6 (P6) Acupoint
This incredibly powerful and versatile acupoint is used to treat palpitations and helps accelerate recovery. It is found in the forearm’s inner middle side, 2.5 cun (finger-width) from the crease of the wrist. The P6 point can be activated on both hands by bearing strong pressure to the acupoint for a minute using the index finger whilst deeply breathing through the nose.
It is used to cure wrist pain heart palpitation, nausea, and anxiety. In addition, it is also helpful in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, motion sickness, and a bad stomach.
Governing Vessel 24.5 (GV24.5) Acupoint
The GV24.5 can be activated by closing your eyes, bringing together your palms and placing it on the acupoint. To stimulate this point, use your index and middle fingers to lightly press the point for a minute while taking deep, slow and long breaths. The GV24.5 is used to alleviate congestion of the nose, dizziness, vertigo, eye problems, headaches, insomnia, sleeping difficulties, anxiety related conditions, and relax the whole body.
Heart 7 (H7) Acupoint
Heart 7 (H7) is a purposeful acupoint that is used to the issue of how to naturally overcome palpitations, nervousness, and anxiety. This acupoint is also referred to as the Spirit Gate, and it’s located on the forearm’s side of the little-finger, at the crease of the wrist.
This Heart 7 is stimulated by applying pressure using the middle finger of both hands for a minute whilst breathing deeply. It can help treat forgetfulness, fear, palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, and emotional imbalances. In addition, this point also can treat stupor, epilepsy, chest pain, irritability, cardiac pain, and insomnia.
Pericardium 3 (P3) Acupoint
This is another purposeful point of acupressure best used to control and manage palpitations, anxiety, and nervousness. The P3 is nicknamed the Crooked Marsh, and is located at the lower edge of the elbow crease on the inside of the arm, when the arm is bent.
It can be activated bilaterally (on both arms) by applying pressure to it for a minute using the thumb while simultaneously intensely breathing through your nose. People feel their bodies being freed of their nervous tension and stress. The P3 is used to heal tightness and pain in the chest, elbow pain, wrist pain, nausea, palpitations, and anxiety.
Bladder 10 (B10) Acupoint
This is an extremely potent acupressure point for treatment of anxiety disorder producing meaningful results right from the outset of the treatment. It also known as the Heavenly Pillar, and located one cun under the base of the skull on the prominent muscle a half inch outside of the spine.
To stimulate the B10, bend you fingers and place the fingertips on the neck’s ropy muscles. Apply firm pressure on the area while you perform deep, slow, and long breaths. This help treat sore throat, neck stiffness and pain, eye problems, heaviness in the head, over fatigue, insomnia, stress, nervousness, anxiousness and anxiety.
Triple Warmer 15 (TW 15) Acupoint
Last but definitely, not least, the Triple Warmer 15 is a commonly used point in acupressure for the treatment of anxiety which leads to effective relief of palpitations and nervousness. This acupoint is also called the Celestial Rejuvenation, and can be found on both your shoulders, halfway between outside of the shoulders and the base of the neck, 1.5 inch below the top of the shoulders.
To stimulate the Tw 15 on both shoulders bend your fingers and place your left hand on your left shoulder and your right hand on your right shoulder. With the help of the fingertips, press the points firmly while keeping your eyes closed and taking deep and long breaths. This should relieve neck stiffness and pain and nervous tension and strengthen your resistance to fever and cold.
Jamie Catlett is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Jacksonville, FL and the founder of Jacksonville Acupuncture Clinic.