5 Acupressure Points for Motion Sickness and Nausea
Published July 22, 2026 by SEASONS Wellness
Motion sickness can turn an exciting journey into a miserable experience. Whether you are traveling by car, plane, boat, or train, the nausea, dizziness, and queasiness of motion sickness affect millions of people. While medications can help, they often cause drowsiness and other side effects. Acupressure offers a natural, side-effect-free alternative that you can use anywhere, anytime.
Here are five powerful acupressure points that provide fast relief from motion sickness and nausea, along with step-by-step instructions for each.
How Acupressure Helps Motion Sickness
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, motion sickness is understood as a disharmony between the Stomach and the upward-rebellious Qi. Normally, Stomach Qi should descend to allow for proper digestion. When motion disrupts this downward flow, Qi rebels upward, causing nausea and vomiting.
Acupressure works by stimulating specific points that help Stomach Qi descend, calm the mind, and harmonize the body's internal environment. Modern research has confirmed that acupressure, particularly at the PC6 point, can significantly reduce nausea from motion sickness, pregnancy, chemotherapy, and postoperative recovery.
1. Pericardium 6 (PC6) — Nei Guan (Inner Gate)
Location
PC6 is located on the inner forearm, three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons that run up the center of the forearm (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons).
How to Find It
Turn your palm facing up. Place three fingers of your opposite hand across your wrist, starting from the wrist crease. PC6 is located just past the third finger, between the two visible tendons in the center of your forearm.
How to Apply Pressure
Use your thumb to press firmly between the two tendons. Apply moderate pressure and massage in small circles for 2-3 minutes on each wrist. You should feel a dull, slightly achy sensation. For travel prevention, start pressing PC6 10-15 minutes before your journey begins and repeat every hour as needed.
Why It Works
PC6 is the most extensively researched acupressure point for nausea. It regulates the Pericardium meridian, which has a direct relationship with the Stomach and Heart. By stimulating PC6, you calm the chest, descend rebellious Stomach Qi, and reduce the hyperactive vagus nerve response that triggers nausea. Clinical studies have shown PC6 stimulation reduces postoperative nausea by up to 40 percent.
2. Stomach 36 (ST36) — Zu San Li (Leg Three Miles)
Location
ST36 is found on the outer lower leg, about four finger-widths below the bottom of the kneecap, and one finger-width to the outside of the shinbone.
How to Find It
Place your hand over your knee with your fingers wrapped around the leg. ST36 is located just below your index finger, in the muscle just outside the shinbone. There is often a slight indentation you can feel.
How to Apply Pressure
Use your thumb or index finger to press firmly into the muscle. Massage in small circles for 1-2 minutes on each leg. If you are prone to motion sickness, stimulate ST36 daily as a preventive measure.
Why It Works
ST36 is one of the most versatile points in all of TCM. It strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, tonifies Qi and Blood, and calms the digestive system. By improving digestive function overall, ST36 helps your Stomach handle the sensory conflicts of motion more gracefully. This point is particularly useful if your motion sickness is accompanied by digestive upset.
3. Conception Vessel 12 (CV12) — Zhong Wan (Central Venter)
Location
CV12 is located on the midline of the abdomen, halfway between the bottom of the sternum (breastbone) and the navel.
How to Find It
Place your hand flat against your abdomen. Find the base of your sternum and your navel. The midpoint between these two landmarks is CV12.
How to Apply Pressure
Use the pads of two or three fingers to press gently but firmly into the point. Breathe deeply while pressing for 1-2 minutes. This point is particularly effective when you feel nausea building up. Gentle clockwise abdominal massage around this area can also help.
Why It Works
CV12 is the front-mu point of the Stomach, meaning it is the primary point on the abdomen for addressing Stomach conditions. It directly regulates Stomach Qi, resolves dampness, and treats nausea, vomiting, and acid regurgitation. If motion sickness is causing a queasy stomach, CV12 provides direct relief.
4. Conception Vessel 17 (CV17) — Shan Zhong (Chest Center)
Location
CV17 is located on the midline of the sternum (breastbone), at the level of the fourth intercostal space. It is at the center of the chest, midway between the nipples.
How to Find It
Run your finger up the center of your chest along the breastbone until you feel a slight depression between the ribs. This is usually at the level of your nipples.
How to Apply Pressure
Use your middle finger to press gently into the point. Breathe slowly and deeply while holding pressure for 2-3 minutes. This point works well when combined with PC6 for a synergistic effect.
Why It Works
CV17 opens the chest, regulates Qi, and calms the spirit. Motion sickness often produces chest tightness, anxiety, and a feeling of unease. CV17 addresses these symptoms by promoting the smooth flow of Qi through the chest and reducing the emotional component of nausea. It is especially helpful when anxiety about motion sickness makes symptoms worse.
5. Gallbladder 20 (GB20) — Feng Chi (Wind Pool)
Location
GB20 is located at the base of the skull, in the hollow depression on both sides of the neck where the neck muscles attach to the skull.
How to Find It
Interlace your fingers behind your head. Your thumbs will naturally fall into the hollows at the base of your skull on both sides of your spine. These hollows are GB20.
How to Apply Pressure
Use both thumbs to press firmly into the hollows on either side. Tilt your head back slightly. Hold for 1-2 minutes while breathing deeply. If traveling, you can lean your head back against a headrest and use tennis balls or acupressure balls at GB20.
Why It Works
Motion sickness involves a sensory conflict between the eyes, inner ear, and nervous system. GB20 directly addresses the neurological component by improving blood flow to the brain, relieving tension at the base of the skull, and calming the vestibular system. It is particularly effective for the dizziness and vertigo aspects of motion sickness.
Acupressure Protocol for Travel
For maximum effectiveness, follow this protocol before and during travel:
- 30 minutes before departure: Press PC6 for 2 minutes on each wrist. Press ST36 for 1 minute on each leg.
- During travel: Press PC6 for 1-2 minutes every hour. Use CV17 if you feel anxiety building. Use GB20 if you feel dizzy.
- If nausea hits: Combine CV12 (abdomen) with PC6 (wrist) simultaneously. Breathe deeply.
- After arrival: Press ST36 to restore digestive energy.
Additional Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness
Acupressure works best when combined with these practical strategies:
- Choose the right seat: In a car, sit in the front passenger seat. On a plane, sit over the wing. On a boat, stay mid-ship at water level. On a train, face forward.
- Watch the horizon: Look at a distant, stable point on the horizon. Avoid reading or looking at screens.
- Eat lightly before travel: An empty stomach or a very full stomach both worsen motion sickness. Eat a light, bland meal 1-2 hours before departure.
- Avoid strong odors: Strong smells, especially greasy or spicy food odors, can trigger nausea.
- Stay hydrated: Take small sips of water frequently. Ginger tea or peppermint tea are excellent choices.
- Keep the air flowing: Open a window or adjust the air vent. Fresh, cool air helps settle the stomach.
- Ginger: In TCM, ginger is the primary herb for nausea. Take candied ginger, ginger tea, or ginger capsules 30 minutes before travel.
Acupressure Bands and Tools
If you find it difficult to maintain pressure on PC6 during travel, consider using acupressure wristbands (commonly sold as Sea-Bands). These elastic bands have a plastic stud that applies continuous pressure to PC6. While they do not replace the precision of manual acupressure, they provide a convenient option for hands-free relief. Research has shown they are moderately effective for motion sickness.
When to Seek Professional Help
Most motion sickness is normal and manageable. However, consult a healthcare provider if:
- You experience severe, debilitating motion sickness that prevents travel
- Nausea persists long after travel has ended
- You have chronic nausea unrelated to motion
- Symptoms are accompanied by other signs such as hearing loss or balance problems
Conclusion
Motion sickness does not have to control your travel plans. With these five acupressure points, you have a natural, portable toolkit for managing nausea and dizziness wherever you go. PC6 is your primary point and should be your first line of defense. Combined with the other four points and practical travel strategies, acupressure can make journeys of all kinds more comfortable and enjoyable.
The beauty of acupressure is its simplicity. No equipment, no side effects, no cost. Just your hands and your body's innate healing intelligence. Practice locating these points before your next trip so you can apply them quickly and confidently when you need them.