The acupuncturist claims that the “Q tip in the cave” can calm anxiety

Calling all stressed out people and restless sleepers, a TikTok acupuncturist is here to welcome you to the peaceful cave of light spirits and restful sleep.

Dr. Eileen Li (@anew.acu) is a Connecticut acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and licensed physical therapist, and she used a giant ear model to teach her 680,000 followers a little trick.

“Do you have trouble calming down or sleeping at night?” she said. “Let’s relieve the self-pressure by releasing the pressure in the ear.”

Li explained that the pressure release point can be achieved using a Q-tip.

“At the tip of the ear, there is a small cave,” she explained, noting that the point where pressure should be applied is also known as the Shenmen Point, which translates as “Spirit Gate.”

Many acupuncture practitioners consider the Spirit Gate to be the most soothing and relaxing ear point.

“Place the Q-tip in the cave and rotate it 20 to 30 times,” Li instructed.

She assured viewers that if they don’t have a Q-tip, they can repeat the motion with their thumb and forefinger, placing them on the tippy ball point of the Spirit Gate and massaging in a circular motion.

“Remember, this is a gentle process. Close your eyes and appreciate yourself. It’s enough for you!”

Li’s followers posted an earful of positive feedback in the comments section, with one user beaming, “Better right away! I love this! Thanks for sharing so efficiently.”

@anew.acu

Whenever I felt stressed as a child, my mother would rub this point inside my ear for a few minutes and I would immediately feel calmer. Shen men (神门) otherwise known as the “Soul Gate” is a famous acupuncture/acupressure point that can help regulate your body’s production of stress hormones, thereby softening your fight or the flight. Rub this point daily as needed throughout the day. If you gently massage this ear spot every day, you will notice your anxiety lower over time and your sleep will also improve. But don’t forget to also set boundaries and stick to yourself. Take it one day at a time. And do something you love and celebrate! safe for toddlers 💧🠻 safe for those expecting 🤰🠻 #anxietyrelief #stressrelief #mentalhealth #anxietyhack #insomnia #sleephack #akupresurë #kinesemedicine

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“I got acupuncture on my ears and OMG, the next thing I knew, I was waking up before snoring so loud! & I can’t fall asleep anywhere but my bed. I was so calm!” said another.

“My body felt lighter after doing this,” claimed another.

Li previously shared her acupuncture hack for feeling awake, claiming that by pressing what she calls the “reset button” between your nose and upper lip, you can “stimulate alertness.”

Acupuncturist Sara Reznikoff, who runs her own practice in Brooklyn, told The Post, “Acupuncture is fantastic at stimulating the body’s innate healing abilities, helping with inflammation and calming the nervous system.”

In addition to calming the mind, external ear acupuncture has been shown to reduce weight, ease food cravings, and lower body mass index.

Researchers believe acupuncture can also help cure women’s lack of libido, claiming the Chinese treatment helped every woman who took part in a study published in the journal Sexual Medicine in August.

Acupuncture may also reduce the effects of COVID-19.

In 2019, the World Health Organization officially recognized traditional medical therapies such as acupuncture and complementary herbal medicine, giving more mainstream recognition to the practices, which date back more than 2,500 years.