Dr. Riley Smith

DIY Acupressure and Low Back Pain

“Your gut and your hormones aren’t two separate problems. They’re one conversation – and most women have never been shown how to listen to it.”


– DR. RILEY SMITH

One of the proven ways that acupuncture works is by triggering the body to release natural steroids that calm inflammation. In addition, it boosts endorphin production and helps relieve pain this way too.  When it comes to low back pain, countless studies have shown that acupuncture can help to delay surgery or even prevent it from becoming medically necessary.  None of this is meant to diagnose or treat your low back pain but these points can help to relieve it until you get in to see me:

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Large Intestine 4 – This is a commonly known point.  Looking at your hand palm side down, this point is located between the thumb and pointer finger.  Grab that webbing or padding in between the two fingers.  Move toward the inner edge of the pointer finger.  Feel for a tender spot roughly half way between the wrist and first knuckle.  Gently stimulate this point.  Its a great one for back pain, headache, nausea and stress.

Gallbladder 34 – Found on both outer legs just below the knee. Feel for a bony bump at the top of a line drawn from your outer ankle to the side of the knee.  This point is located just below.  It is said to be an influential point of the tendons and muscles.

Urinary Bladder 40 – This is an easy one to find.  Like the others its located on both legs on the back side of the knees. Its a great one for relieving low back spasm and pain.

 

If  you are unable to get in right away to see me.  These little gems can hold you over!  Stimulate each for one minute using gentle pressure.  Its not meant to hurt.  Low back pain needs to be evaluated by a medical professional.  If you have questions about yours or want to come in right away contact me for a consultation or book directly on the website.  Im conveniently located in Banker’s Hill in San Diego.

The short version

This is where the article opens up the idea behind the pull quote – written in your voice, root cause first, in language that makes sense to someone who has been told everything looks fine.

How these systems actually connect

showing the bold inline lead-in pattern from the reference:

Your gut. A short demo sentence on the role the gut plays.

Your hormones. A short demo sentence on how the two move together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can gut issues really affect my hormones?

A large share of hormone processing and clearance happens in the gut, so when digestion is under strain, hormone balance often follows.

Why do my labs come back normal when I still don't feel right?

Standard panels are built to flag disease, not the early-pattern shifts that leave you depleted. Reading several systems together is where the answer usually shows up.

Here Are Some Ways I Can Support You

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE & LABWORK

When your labs come back "normal" but you don't feel it, I run the testing conventional care skips and read how your systems relate.
See how the labwork works →

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING

Burnout to Balance®- the 5R Burnout Recovery MethodTM, built around your biology to restore the capacity you've been running without.
Start here →

JOIN THE NEXT SEASONAL CHALLENGE

Get on the waitlist for our next seasonal challenge!
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Want to hear it? Listen to the podcast →
More of a visual learner? Watch on YouTube →

Dr. Riley Smith, LAc · DACM · DiplOM

Find Your Best First Step

Seven quick questions. I'll match you with the care that actually fits what you're dealing with — no guessing required.

Start

Before we begin

Tell us where to send your results

Question 1

Where are you located?

Acupuncture is available in-person at our San Diego clinic only. All other services are fully virtual.

Question 2

What best describes what you're dealing with?

Pick the option that feels most like your primary concern right now.

Question 3

How long have you been dealing with this?

Question 4

What kind of support resonates most right now?

Go with your gut — there's no wrong answer here.

Question 5

How urgently do you need support?

Question 6

How do you feel about working with a provider virtually?

Coaching and lab services are 100% virtual. Acupuncture is in-person only.

Question 7

What level of investment feels realistic right now?

This helps match you to the right entry point — not a commitment.