Acupressure Points in Horses – The Equine Lung Meridian

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Learn the most important pressure points used for acupuncture and acupressure in horses. Here’s the trajectory of the Lung Meridian, including the location and clinical application of the most powerful points.

Acupressure Points on the Equine Lung Meridian

The Lung Merdian in Horses

The Lung meridian is the Yin meridian of the Metal element. It starts with LU 01 which is located on both sides of the chest. it then courses over the elbow joint and runs distally on the medial aspect of the forelimb it terminates medially on the coronary band.
The main indication to use Lung points are issues of the respiratory tract. But they can do more than that. LU 07, for instance, is the Masterpoint for the Head and Neck. It’s being used for a variety of conditions affecting this area.

Clinical Application of Pressure Points

• LU 01 – cough, chest pain, asthma, shoulder pain.
• LU 05 – cough with fever, equine asthma with Phlegm, elbow problems, and dermatitis.
• LU 07 – neck and headache, cough, runny nose, acute respiratory conditions, cardiac problems.
• LU 11 – cough and equine asthma, local problems such as laminitis and arthritis affecting the pastern, coffin, and fetlock joints.

How to Treat Pressure Points

There are multiple different ways how to work with acupuncture points. Professional practitioners use needles or acupuncture lasers to stimulate them. But you can achieve a beneficial effect by massaging them with your hand as well. This technique is called acupressure.

Massage Techniques for Acupressure

During acupressure, you will use your hands to be aware of any changes happening in the body. These could either be an existing blockage or the free flow of Qi after removing a blockage by acupressure treatment. Learning to sense what the body is communicating takes practice. You can educate your hands by focusing on the various sensations experienced during these sessions and by learning what the sensations indicate.

Massage Techniques:

• The One-Finger Technique: During this technique, you’ll use the finger pad of your thumb. Place it on the acupressure point and apply gentle pressure to it. Depending on the location, you can gently move your thumb and work a little bit deeper into the tissue. This technique is best used on fleshy, well-muscled body parts or on the legs.
• The Two-Finger Technique: To perform this technique, place your middle finger over the nail on your pointer finger and apply gentle pressure on your horse’s body surface. This technique works very well in the back area.

Equine Acupressure Charts PDF

Download your Equine Acupressure Charts today. Great for studying and treatment planning.

Practise, Practise, Practise!

The meridians and acupoints that will be treated are just under the skin, so you only need to apply gentle pressure. Extreme pressure could cause additional pain. If your horse ever shows signs of discomfort at any point, stop to apply pressure and move on to a different area.

If you are unable to feel changes in your horse’s body at first, that’s ok! It takes time to learn how to feel the sensation of moving Qi and removing blockages through the hands. Simply apply gentle pressure to the acupoint for approximately 30 seconds. If you don’t manage to stay on the point for the full 30 seconds, don’t worry, that’s ok too, it will still work. While performing your acupressure session, look for signs in your horse.

How do I Know it’s Working?

Your horse’s body will give you clear signs that your massage is having a positive effect on their well-being. Releasing blockages and promoting the free flow of Qi will make your horse gradually relax and show you release signs such as:

• Yawning
• Stretching
• Chewing
• Playing with their tongue
• Blinking with their eyes
• Releasing tension by shifting weight from one leg to the other

Metal Element

The Five Elements theory forms the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each of the five elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, and Metal include subcategories such as climate, body tissue, emotion, and internal organ.

You can find more information on the five elements here.

The five-element system also applies to your horse’s personality and physical constitution. Every horse can be categorized into one of the five elements. This gives us more information on dietary preferences and disease predispositions.

The Metal Element Horse

Metal-type horses are confident and consistent, they always stick to the rules and tend to be leaders. The hair coat of the metal-type horse is good, they are clean and elegant.
Disease predispositions: Lung problems – cough, asthma, nasal discharge. Large intestine problems: constipation or diarrhea.

More Meridians:

• How to Treat Cats with Acupressure
• Equine Acupressure Point – The Heart Meridian in the Horse
• Equine Acupuncture Charts – The Small Intestine Meridian
• Equine Acupressure Charts – The Triple Heater Meridian
• Equine Acupressure Charts – The Liver Merdian in the Horse