Acupressure for hot flushes and night sweats

Hot flushes and night sweats are the most characteristic symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause — sudden surges of heat across the face, neck and chest, often with sweating and a wave of unease. In classical Chinese medicine these are the signature symptoms of Kidney Yin deficiency with rising Empty Heat: the cooling, moistening Yin substance has depleted with age and reproductive transition, leaving Yang unanchored to surge unpredictably. Acupressure nourishes Yin, clears Empty Heat and calms the Shen disturbance that often accompanies the physical symptoms. See the full menopausal symptoms condition page for the deeper clinical approach.

The four core points

KD 6 (Zhaohai) — “Shining Sea”

Location. In the depression just below the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus).

Technique. Firm thumb pressure for 1–2 minutes per ankle, twice daily — morning and evening.

Why. The most direct point for nourishing Kidney Yin and the master point of the Yin Qiao Mai (the extraordinary vessel that governs sleep and Yin substance). Particularly useful for night sweats, hot flushes that disturb sleep and the dry mouth/dry eyes that often accompany menopause.

HT 6 (Yin Xi) — “Yin Cleft”

Location. On the inner wrist, on the little-finger side of the prominent tendon (flexor carpi ulnaris), about half a finger-width above the wrist crease.

Technique. Firm thumb pressure for 1–2 minutes per wrist.

Why. The Xi-Cleft (accumulation) point of the Heart channel and the classical point specifically for night sweats. Nourishes Heart Yin and calms the Empty Heat that disturbs sleep. The single most useful point for the “heat rises, I wake at 3am dripping with sweat” pattern.

KD 3 (Taixi) — “Great Ravine”

Location. In the depression behind the inner ankle bone, between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon.

Technique. Firm thumb pressure for 1–2 minutes per ankle.

Why. The source point of the Kidney channel — the most powerful constitutional point for Kidney function. Daily pressing over weeks builds the underlying Yin and Essence that menopausal symptoms reflect the depletion of. Pair with KD 6 for the strongest Yin-nourishing effect.

SP 6 (Sanyinjiao) — “Three Yin Intersection”

Location. Four finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, just behind the back edge of the shin bone.

Technique. Firm thumb pressure for 1–2 minutes per leg.

Why. The crossing point of the three Yin channels (Spleen, Liver, Kidney) — the three organ systems that govern the menstrual cycle and reproductive transition. Useful for the broad menopausal pattern beyond just hot flushes — irregular bleeding in perimenopause, menopausal anxiety, and the constellation of symptoms that change month to month.

Supplementary points

LU 7 (Lieque) + KD 6 (Zhaohai) — the classical pair

LU 7 (1.5 finger-widths above the wrist crease on the thumb side) combined with KD 6 is the Ren Mai master-couple combination — the classical extraordinary-vessel pair for menopausal symptoms. Press both points on each side simultaneously for 1–2 minutes daily.

HT 7 (Shenmen)

On the wrist crease at the little-finger side. Calms the Shen for the anxiety-and-restlessness component that often accompanies hot flushes.

LV 3 (Taichong)

Between the big toe and second toe. Useful for the irritability and stress component — perimenopause amplifies the Liver Qi stagnation pattern that many women already carry.

GV 20 (Baihui)

At the crown of the head. Light tapping or pressure here for 1 minute calms the rising Yang that drives the flush sensation. Particularly useful at the moment a flush begins.

An acute-flush technique

The moment a hot flush begins:

1. Slow nasal breathing (4 in, 6 out) — this alone often reduces intensity
2. Press HT 6 firmly on one wrist for 30 seconds
3. Press KD 6 on one ankle for 30 seconds (if seated)
4. Cool the back of the neck and the inner wrists with cold water or an ice cube wrapped in cloth

This 90-second sequence can interrupt many flushes before they reach peak intensity.

A daily preventive routine

Morning and evening:

1. Press KD 3 on both ankles for 1–2 minutes each
2. Press KD 6 on both ankles for 1–2 minutes each
3. Press SP 6 on both legs for 1–2 minutes each
4. Press HT 6 on both wrists for 1 minute each (especially evening, to support sleep)
5. Press LV 3 on both feet for 1 minute (if stress and irritability are prominent)

Hot flushes are a slow condition to shift. Daily acupressure over 8–12 weeks produces meaningful change in frequency and intensity in most patients.

Self-care that reinforces the points

• Cool sleep environment — bedroom 16–19°C, layered bedding so you can shed as needed
• Cotton or natural-fibre nightwear
• Identify and reduce flush triggers — common ones include hot drinks, spicy food, alcohol (particularly red wine), caffeine and stress
• Daily aerobic exercise — demonstrably reduces hot flush frequency in trials
• Adequate sleep — the most direct support for Kidney Yin recovery
• Yin-nourishing foods — pears, black sesame, walnuts, white mushrooms, tofu, fish, goji berries, eggs
• Reduce hot, spicy, drying foods — these deplete Yin further
• Stress management — chronic stress amplifies hot flush frequency through the autonomic nervous system

When to see a practitioner

Severe hot flushes that disturb sleep nightly, significantly affect work or quality of life, or are accompanied by significant mood change, joint pain or other menopausal symptoms benefit from professional treatment. Clinical acupuncture has the best evidence base of any non-hormonal intervention for hot flushes, and Chinese herbal medicine offers an additional layer of support. See the menopausal symptoms page for the deeper clinical approach, or discuss hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with your GP.

Browse the full acupressure hub, the related acupressure for insomnia or anxiety guides, or the acupuncture points directory.