Stomach Cramps: Acupressure Points & Self-Care

Abdominal pain is pain anywhere between the chest and the groin. Many conditions can cause it. Less serious causes include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance, food poisoning and stomach flu. More serious ones include appendicitis, diverticulitis and kidney stones.

Traditional use: in TCM, points such as CV-6, SP-6 and ST-36 are traditionally used for abdominal cramping.

Recognizing Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

  • Cramping or pain in the belly

Primary Points for Stomach Cramps

Select a point to learn more.

Additional Support Points

Select a point to learn more.

Self-Care Acupressure Routines

Stomach Cramp Routine (5-10 minutes, as needed)

  1. Find a comfortable position: lie down with knees bent, or sit with knees drawn up
  2. Massage CV-6 in slow circles for 1-2 minutes
  3. Apply steady pressure to SP-6 for 1-2 minutes each leg
  4. Press ST-36 for 1 minute each leg
  5. For muscle spasms: add GB-34 for 1 minute each leg
  6. For stress-related cramps: include LR-3 for 1 minute each foot
  7. For menstrual-related stomach cramps: add CV-4
  8. Contact your provider if the pain comes with a fever, or you cannot keep down food or liquids

Everyday Considerations

Home care for mild pain

  • Fluids: Sip water or other clear fluids
  • Food: Avoid solid food for the first few hours
  • Medicine: Do not take any medicine without talking to your provider

Pregnancy

  • Traditionally avoided during pregnancy: CV-6, SP-6, CV-4. Skip these points if you are or may be pregnant.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact your health care provider if you

  • Cannot keep down any food or liquids
  • Have diarrhea for more than 5 days
  • Have a fever over 100°F (37.7°C) with the pain