Pressing These Three Acupoints Helped Me Survive the Worst Nausea of Chemotherapy

During my fourth cycle of chemotherapy, the nausea became so intense that I couldn't keep down water, let alone food. I was desperate. Then my acupuncturist, who had been treating me for pain management, taught me three simple acupressure points. She said, "Your hands and legs carry their own pharmacy." Skeptical but willing to try anything, I started pressing these points whenever the waves of sickness hit. To my astonishment, the technique worked—not perfectly, but enough to give me back some control. Here I share those three life‑changing points, how to find them, and how to use them safely.

Why Acupressure Works for Chemotherapy Nausea

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nausea is seen as a disruption of the stomach's qi (energy) flow. Specific points along the body's meridians can help regulate that flow. Modern research supports this: studies have shown that stimulating the P6 point (Neiguan) reduces chemotherapy‑induced nausea and vomiting. The beauty of acupressure is that it's free, portable, and puts the power back in your hands—literally.

Point 1: Neiguan (P6) – The Inner Gate

Location: On the inner forearm, about three finger‑widths (the patient's own fingers) above the wrist crease, between the two tendons.

How to find it:

1. Turn your palm upward.
2. Place the index, middle, and ring fingers of your other hand just above the wrist crease.
3. The point lies between the two prominent tendons (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis).

Effect: Calms the stomach, relieves nausea, reduces anxiety.

How to press: Use your thumb to apply firm, steady pressure for 1‑2 minutes. You can massage in small circles. Repeat on both arms.

During my chemo sessions, I would press Neiguan as soon as I felt the first hint of queasiness. It didn't erase the nausea completely, but it turned a tsunami into a manageable wave.

Point 2: Zusanli (ST36) – Leg Three Miles

Location: On the lower leg, about four finger‑widths below the kneecap, just outside the shin bone.

How to find it:

1. Sit with your knee bent.
2. Locate the depression just outside the shin bone, about the width of your palm below the kneecap.
3. You'll often feel a slight tenderness or ache when you press the right spot.

Effect: Strengthens the whole body, boosts energy, supports digestion, reduces fatigue.

How to press: Use your thumb or knuckle to press deeply for 1‑2 minutes. You can also use a tennis ball against a wall. Do both legs.

I pressed Zusanli every morning during treatment. It became my daily ritual—a way to tell my body, "We're going to get through this."

Point 3: Shenmen (HT7) – Spirit Gate

Location: On the inner wrist, in the depression just below the pisiform bone (the small, pea‑shaped bone on the pinky side of the wrist).

How to find it:

1. Turn your palm upward.
2. Run your finger along the pinky‑side edge of the wrist until you feel a small bony bump (the pisiform).
3. The point is just below that bump, in the natural crease.

Effect: Calms the mind, reduces anxiety and restlessness, aids sleep.

How to press: Apply gentle, steady pressure with your thumb for 1‑2 minutes. Breathe deeply while holding the point.

When anxiety kept me awake at night, pressing Shenmen helped quiet my racing thoughts. It became my go‑to for moments of panic.

A Step‑by‑Step Protocol for Chemotherapy Days

Here's how I integrated these points into my treatment routine:

1. Before chemo: Press Neiguan and Zusanli for 2 minutes each side.
2. During infusion: Gently hold Neiguan on the arm without the IV.
3. After chemo: Repeat all three points every 2–3 hours as needed.
4. At bedtime: Press Shenmen to promote restful sleep.

Important Safety Precautions

• Avoid deep pressure if you have low platelet counts or bleeding tendencies.
• Do not press directly over surgical sites, wounds, or active infection.
• Consult your oncology team before starting any new self‑care practice.
• Listen to your body: If a point feels painful or uncomfortable, ease up.

The Empowerment Beyond the Points

Learning these acupressure techniques did more than ease my nausea—it gave me an active role in my healing. In a process where I often felt powerless, having these tools restored a sense of agency. I could press a point on my wrist and feel my body respond. That was hope made tangible.

If you're facing chemotherapy‑induced nausea, consider trying these three points. Find a quiet moment, locate the spots, and apply gentle pressure. You might just discover that your own hands can offer the relief you've been searching for.

© David Taylor - This article is part of a cancer care blog series.