How to Do Chinese Eye Exercises

With the ever-growing use of computers in both the home and work environment, it's no small wonder more people are complaining of eye strain, which can lead to blurred vision and headaches. Well-known for health techniques that target pressure points, such as acupuncture, the Chinese developed eye exercises centuries ago, and now more than ever these can be used to relieve eye strain.

Instructions

• 1

  Warm up by moving your eyes to the right and left, up and down, around clockwise and counter-clockwise and diagonally both lower left to upper right and lower right to upper left ten times each exercise. Then gently rub the eyelids.

• 2

  Place the tip of your index or middle fingers against your temples, even with your eyebrows, and massage for one to two minutes. Switch back and forth from a clockwise direction to counter-clockwise several times throughout this exercise.

• 3

  Massage around the eye socket. Again, use the tips of your fingers to gently massage in a circular motion around the lower and upper parts of your eye socket. Then use your first two fingers and thumb to massage the bridge of your nose. Repeat each movement eight times.

• 4

  Close your eyes. Press your thumbs at the spot where your eyeball meets the upper part of your eye socket. Use your first or second finger to pull down on your forehead near the hairline. Do this eight times.

• 5

  Press your thumbs behind your ears and rub up and down gently. Then move around to the back of your head where the skull meets the neck. Use your thumbs again to rub on either side of the neck. Finally, move your thumbs to the back of the skull directly opposite your eyes and massage in a circular motion.

• 6

  Add in a bit of Chinese acupuncture points. Take your right thumb and press it into a spot between your left thumb and forefinger, about two inches or so in. Directly beneath, use your right forefinger and pinch your right thumb and forefinger together until it is slightly painful. Repeat a few times, then switch hands and repeat the process.