Feeling Faint: Acupressure Points & Self-Care
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. Before fainting, you may feel weak, sweaty or nauseated, and notice tunnel vision or sounds seeming to fade away. Causes include coughing very hard, straining during a bowel movement, standing in one place for too long, and urinating, especially at night or after lying down for a long time.
Traditional use: in TCM, points such as GV-26, KI-1 and LI-4 are traditionally used for feeling faint. This page is for someone who is awake and feels faint. Never press points on a person who has fainted and is not responding: see the warning below.
Recognizing Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
- Feeling weak, sweaty or nauseated
- Tunnel vision
- Sounds seeming to fade away
Primary Points for Feeling Faint
Select a point to learn more.
Additional Support Points
Select a point to learn more.
Self-Care Acupressure Routines
Feeling Faint Routine (15 minutes)
- Lie down right away, and raise your feet about 12 inches (30 cm) above the level of your heart
- While lying down and awake: touch GV-26 lightly
- Press KI-1 and LI-4
- Stay lying down for at least 10 to 15 minutes, in a cool, quiet place if you can
- Never press points on someone who has fainted and is not responding: call your local emergency number if they do not become alert within a couple of minutes
Everyday Considerations
Common triggers
- Standing: Standing in one place for too long
- Straining: Coughing very hard, or straining during a bowel movement
- At night: Urinating at night or after lying down for a long time
Pregnancy
- Traditionally avoided during pregnancy: LI-4. Skip this point if you are or may be pregnant.
When to Seek Medical Care
First aid if someone faints
- Raise the person's feet above the level of their heart, about 12 inches (30 cm)
- Keep them lying down for at least 10 to 15 minutes, in a cool and quiet place if you can
- If they vomit, turn them on their side so they do not choke