No standing up, no gear. Just the edge of your desk is enough to loosen a neck and shoulders that have been locked up all afternoon. The TCM secret lives on the pinky side of your hand.
According to CDC survey data, back pain is the most common type of pain among American adults, affecting close to 4 in 10. Long hours of sitting and looking down at screens are among the biggest reasons why.
Why Hou Xi
Hou Xi (SI3) sits on the pinky side of your hand, at the end of the crease that forms when you make a loose fist. It belongs to the Small Intestine meridian and is also one of the “eight confluent points,” linking to the Governing Vessel that runs up the spine. That’s why it has traditionally been used to release tension in the back of the neck and the upper back.
Follow Along for 3 Minutes
Minute 1: Make loose fists and rest the Hou Xi point of each hand on the edge of your desk. Roll your hands back and forth.
Minute 2: Cradle your head in your hands. Press your thumbs into Feng Chi (GB20), just outside the two thick muscles at the back of your neck, and massage upward.
Minute 3: Interlace your fingers behind your head. Slowly tuck your chin toward your chest, hold for 10 seconds, then slowly lift. Repeat 5 times.
After work, try lying on an acupressure mat for 10 minutes with a heat pack under your lower back to let the day’s tension fully melt away. If your arms feel numb or weak, or the pain is severe, please see a doctor first.
Shop the ritual: Neck & Back Relief Set →
Keep reading
- Zu San Li (ST36): The Point Known as the “Longevity Point”
- Grief and the Lungs: Why Sadness Makes You Want to Sigh Deeply
- The Lower Back Is the Home of the Kidneys: Why It Feels the Cold First in Winter
We don't promise. We don't cure. We align. This article is for everyday wellness and cultural education only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a health concern, talk with your doctor first.
