Holly Tse of chinesefootreflexology.com suggests the following:
"Massage the following reflexology and acupuncture points after getting the COVID vaccine to help with pain relief, swelling and boosting energy levels:
Shoulder Reflexology Point: Massage in an up and down direction, 2 to 3 times a day, for 30 seconds, for 3 to 5 days or until the swelling is reduced (whichever comes first). The shoulder point is located on the sole of your foot. It’s the fleshy rectangular area just below the pinky toe. While you have a shoulder reflexology point on each foot, you want to focus on the one that corresponds to the arm where you got the vaccine.
How to massage: To massage the shoulder point, press your thumb pad onto the point and massage in an up and down direction, where up is towards the tip of your toes and down is towards the heel. Use a firm pressure since this part of the sole is well-padded. If you’re a parent or have ever looked after little kids, think of it like the pressure you’d use to scrub away crayon marks from the dining room table. Yes, I have experience with this!!! Lol!
How often to massage: For the shoulder point, massage this point after you’ve had the vaccine to improve circulation in the shoulder and arm. The increase in qi and blood flow also helps the body to clear away cellular waste products and injured cells that result from the swelling. Massage in an up and down direction, 2 to 3 times a day for 30 seconds, for 3 to 5 days or until the swelling is reduced (whichever happens first).
Large Intestine 4 Acupressure Point: Large Intestine 4 is located on the back of your hand in the webbing between the thumb and index finger. To locate this point, press your thumb and index finger together, and this will cause the muscle in the area to bulge out. LI-4 is located on the highest point of the bulge. There is a Large Intestine 4 point located on each hand.
How to massage: To massage this point, use the thumb of your opposite hand to press on the highest point of the bulge. Then relax the thumb and index finger of the hand while you continue pressing on the point with the opposite thumb. I recommend using the amount of pressure you would use to make an indent in soft clay or Play-Doh.
How often to massage: Press and hold on the point for 30 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day, for 3 to 5 days, or until the swelling is reduced (whichever comes first). Do not massage if pregnant.
Liver 3 Acupressure Point: This point is located on the top of your foot in the webbing between the big and second toes. To locate Liver 3, gently press on your foot to find the bones for these two toes. Slide down away from the toe tips until you feel where the bones intersect. It’s like the bones form a letter V. Approximately one thumb-width above the point of the V is where Liver 3 is located.
How to massage: Use your thumb to press and hold on this point, using the amount of pressure you would use to make an indent in soft clay or Play-Doh.
How often to massage: Press and hold on the point for 30 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day, for 3 to 5 days or until the swelling is reduced (whichever comes first). Do not massage if pregnant.
Lymphatic Drainage Reflexology Point: You’ll find the lymphatic drainage reflexology point on both of your feet in the webbing between the bones of the big toe and second toe.
How to massage: To massage this reflexology point, use the knuckle of your index finger to press and stroke the area, beginning at the base of the toes and stroking in ONE DIRECTION ONLY towards the point of the V that’s formed by the bones of the big toe and second toe. When you get to the bottom of the point at the V, lift up your knuckle and place it back at the base of your toes to begin another stroke. Please note if you feel any friction as you stroke, apply moisturizer or massage oil to reduce the friction since the skin on the top of the foot is much more delicate than on the sole of the foot.
How often to massage: Massage 15 downward strokes on each foot, once per day for 3 to 5 days after the vaccine. Do not massage if pregnant.
Stomach 36 Acupressure Point: Stomach 36 is located on the outer front side of your lower leg, just below the knee cap. There’s a Stomach 36 point on each leg.
It’s a little tricky to locate this point, so I’ll walk you through it in four steps:
Feel for the front of your knee cap while you’re seated.
Gently slide your fingers down to just below the knee cap. On the bottom outer edge of the knee cap, feel for a slight indentation, as marked by the top x in the diagram.
Press the four fingers of your hand together, so that there are no gaps between the fingers.
Place the four fingers directly below the indentation you found under your knee cap. The spot just below your fingers in line with the dent under the knee cap is where you’ll find Stomach 36. See lower x in the diagram.
How to massage: You can massage this acupressure point on both of your legs at the same time. Make a fist with both of your hands. Then press the knuckles onto the point and massage up and down. Use a firm pressure like you would use to give yourself a comfortable massage.
How often to massage: Massage both points on both legs simultaneously for 30 seconds, once per day, for 3 to 5 days after the vaccine.
WARNING: Do not massage Liver 3, Large Intestine 4 or the lymphatic drainage point if you are pregnant because this point is used to induce labor. I also wanted to remind you to see your health care practitioner if you are unwell or experiencing persistent, worsening, or other symptoms."
