Submit a comment
On April 9, Chinese acupuncturist Eileen Li made headlines for claiming that a TikTok trend called “cricket legs” would help people sleep faster and deeper than usual.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, you may have tried various methods to help you fall asleep more easily, such as avoiding your phone screen, counting sheep, or smelling lavender. These are methods that are said to be effective and have been applied in many real-life situations.
However, acupuncturist Eileen Li has made headlines for claiming a TikTok trend called “cricket legs” can help you fall asleep easier after just a few minutes of doing it.
Despite its strange name, this method actually does not involve any animals that would scare people at the sight of them.
The new method essentially involves rubbing your feet together. This stimulates countless nerve endings and pressure points in your feet, creating a soothing, relaxing feeling.
Speaking to Bustle, Dr. Li said: "Foot rubs, or foot massages, are a form of relaxation. They can help relieve stress, improve blood circulation, and promote a feeling of comfort and well-being."
There are two specific points located on the foot, referred to as “liver 3” and “kidney 1.” These are the points that one needs to pay attention to when applying the “cricket foot” method.
The first point (liver 3) is located between the big toe and the toe next to it. The second point (kidney 1) is located on the sole of the foot. These are called “acupuncture points” and when stimulated, they can send chemicals to the brain and muscles, helping to relieve any pain you may have.
"It's time to go to bed, so start massaging your feet. Try massaging two acupoints 30 minutes before bed. Look at the sole of your foot, in the area between the second and third toes, you will see a small groove located on the sole of your foot. Use your thumb to press it. You will hold your finger down for 30 seconds. You can also massage by rotating in circles, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. This particular acupoint is called kidney 1 in Chinese."
As for liver point 3, she says: “This point is located between the big toe and the second toe nearby. You put your hand in the skin between the two toes, then move down a little to find this point. You can also use your thumb to massage the point.”
According to Dr. Li, it is possible to massage both kidney 1 and liver 3 points at the same time by using the index finger and thumb at the same time.
"Kidney 1 and Liver 3 are two great points, often used in acupuncture treatments. But you can do it at home by pressing the points and immediately experience the effectiveness of this method," said Dr. Li.
TB (General)