The Ultimate Guide to Acupressure: An Effective, Drug-Free Solution to Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a common issue for many, dampening their excitement when planning a trip. According to Eastern medicine, motion sickness occurs when your stomach is too hot, cold, or empty. The qi in your abdomen is blocked, and the constant shaking and sudden braking of the vehicle can cause an imbalance in your body, leading to nausea and dizziness.

There are several ways to prevent motion sickness during travel, and acupressure is one of the simplest methods that you can practice anywhere.

1 Does Acupressure Help with Motion Sickness?

According to research, stimulating the Nei-Guan and Zu-San-Li acupoints can alleviate motion sickness symptoms by regulating the interaction between neural cell signals and hormones in the vestibular nucleus.

Recently, researchers have invented a wristband called the “Acuband” that is placed at the Nei-Guan acupoint. The Acuband helps reduce motion sickness symptoms and abnormal gastric motility, such as nausea and vomiting.

Acupressure for Motion Sickness

2 Guide to Acupressure Points for Quick Relief from Motion Sickness

Locate the acupoints and gently massage them in a circular motion with your thumb for 2-3 rounds before pressing as follows:

Nei-Guan Acupoint: Measure two thumb widths (a “cun” is the width of your thumb) from the crease of your wrist, between the two tendons.

Nei-Guan Acupoint

Que-Pen Acupoint: Located on the midline of the chest and abdomen, below the lower tip of the breastbone by half a thumb width.

Que-Pen Acupoint

Zu-San-Li Acupoint: Located in the depression below the knee cap, three thumb widths down and one thumb width away from the shinbone.

Zu-San-Li Acupoint

Remember, the “cun” measurement is unique to each person, so use your own thumb width as a guide to locate the acupoints accurately.

Reference: Youmed Health Portal

3 Notes on Acupressure for Motion Sickness

To effectively alleviate motion sickness with acupressure, it’s important to use your thumb to massage and apply moderate pressure on the acupoints without using your fingernails to avoid skin damage.

Note on Acupressure for Motion Sickness

4 Other Drug-Free Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness

Fresh Ginger

Place a slice of ginger on your navel and secure it with tape during your trip, or simply chew on a piece of ginger to ease nausea.

Fresh Ginger

Orange Peel

A popular method is to hold an orange peel close to your nose, allowing its strong scent to overpower the vehicle’s odors, thus reducing nausea.

Orange Peel

Essential Oils

Apply essential oils to your temples and the base of your skull to help prevent motion sickness.

Essential Oils

Vinegar

Drink a warm cup of water with a splash of vinegar before your journey to reduce the chances of motion sickness.

Vinegar

Chewing Gum

Chew on minty gum to stay relaxed and calm, which can help alleviate motion sickness. Go for gum with mint, orange, or lemon flavors for the best results.

Chewing Gum

Avoid Overeating or Traveling on an Empty Stomach

It’s important not to travel on a full or empty stomach, as both can cause discomfort and worsen motion sickness.

Avoid Overeating or Traveling on an Empty Stomach

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a soothing herb that can ease an upset stomach and reduce acid levels, helping to prevent motion sickness.

Chamomile Tea

Licorice Root

Licorice root significantly reduces nausea and vomiting. You can buy it at any traditional medicine store and boil it with water until you’re left with a cup of the decoction.

Licorice Root

Engage in Conversation

Chatting with your travel companions can be a great distraction from motion sickness. Share funny stories and enjoy the journey!

Engage in Conversation

Motion sickness can be a real downer when traveling, but with these tips, we hope you can enjoy your trips back home, on vacations, or with friends and family, feeling happy and comfortable.