If you have ever pressed your palm during a stressful moment without quite knowing why, there is a good chance you landed near PC8, also known as Laogong, one of the most referenced points in Traditional Chinese Medicine for calming the mind. It sits in the centre of your palm, it takes seconds to find, and it barely gets mentioned outside acupuncture circles despite how often TCM practitioners reach for it during anxiety and stress. Here is where it is, what it is traditionally used for, how to press it yourself, and why holding continuous, gentle pressure on it can be more practical than remembering to press it every time you need it.
What is PC8?
PC8 is the eighth point on the Pericardium meridian, one of twelve main channels mapped in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its classical name, Laogong, translates to "Palace of Toil" or "Palace of Labor," a name tied to its long history of use for restoring balance after physical or emotional strain. In TCM theory, the Pericardium is described as the protector of the Heart, managing the emotional load the Heart is thought to carry. PC8 is classified as the Ying-Spring and Fire point on this channel, which in five-element theory makes it one of the most concentrated points for addressing what TCM calls "excess heat," a pattern classically associated with agitation, restlessness, and a racing, overstimulated feeling.
Where to find PC8 on your palm
Make a loose fist with one hand. Wherever the tip of your middle finger lands on your palm, that is PC8. More precisely, it sits between the second and third metacarpal bones (the long bones that run from your wrist to your middle and ring fingers), slightly closer to the third. It is not on an obvious bony landmark, which is part of why it is trickier to pinpoint than points on the wrist or forearm, but the middle-finger method makes it easy to find in a couple of seconds, on either hand.
Why this point, specifically, for anxiety
Classical TCM texts describe PC8 as calming to the Shen, a concept usually translated as "mind" or "spirit," and traditionally used for restlessness, a racing or fluttery feeling in the chest, and the kind of overstimulated, wired state that tends to show up alongside stress. It is worth being clear about what this is and is not. PC8 is not a medically studied treatment for anxiety disorders, and it is not a substitute for professional care if anxiety is significantly affecting your life. What it is: a genuinely old, well-documented point in a system of medicine that has focused on the palm as a calming site for centuries, which is part of why it is the foundation for GoCalm™'s approach to a screen-free wind-down.
How to press PC8 yourself
Manual acupressure on PC8 is simple. Locate the point using the loose-fist method above. Using the thumb of your opposite hand, apply firm, steady pressure directly on the point. Hold for 1 to 2 minutes while breathing slowly, then repeat on the other hand. Many people find it most useful in the moment, during a stressful call, before a difficult conversation, or as part of a wind-down routine before bed.
The catch with manual pressing
Pressing PC8 yourself works, but it has a practical limit: it only lasts as long as you keep pressing, and it requires a free hand and a moment of focus to do it properly. For a quick reset during the day that is often fine. For an actual wind-down routine at night, where the point is to relax rather than actively concentrate on holding pressure, a continuous, hands-off approach can be easier to actually stick with.
Where GoCalm™ fits in
GoCalm™ is built directly around PC8. Instead of holding your own thumb in place for two minutes, you hold the device in your palm and it delivers a really subtle, continuous pulse directly to the point, no timer to watch, no pressure to maintain yourself. It is designed to sit at the centre of a calming, screen-free routine rather than a one-off technique you have to remember mid-stress.
Continuous, gentle stimulation of the PC8 point, no thumb, no timer, no need to remember mid-stress.
Manual pressure vs continuous stimulation
| Pressing it yourself | GoCalm™ | |
|---|---|---|
| Requires a free hand and focus | Yes | No, just hold it |
| Duration | Only as long as you press | Continuous while held |
| Good for a quick reset | Yes | Yes |
| Good for an unwinding, hands-off routine | Harder to sustain | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Is PC8 the same as PC6?
No. PC6 (Neiguan) sits on the inner wrist and is a different, more commonly cited point in Western acupressure content. PC8 (Laogong) sits in the centre of the palm and is a separate point on the same Pericardium meridian, classically used for a different pattern of symptoms.
What does "Fire point" mean?
In TCM's five-element theory, each meridian has five transport points, one assigned to each element. PC8 is the Fire point on the Pericardium channel, which is itself considered a Fire-associated channel. Classically, this makes it a strong point for addressing "excess heat" patterns, associated with agitation and restlessness, rather than deficiency-based, low-energy states.
Can I use PC8 during a panic attack?
Some people do use manual pressure on PC8 as a grounding technique during acute stress. It is not a treatment for panic disorder, and if panic attacks are frequent or severe, please speak with a doctor or mental health professional.
Is this backed by modern scientific research?
PC8 comes from a system of traditional medicine with centuries of documented classical use, rather than large-scale modern clinical trials specific to anxiety. We present it here as a traditional practice, not a medically proven treatment.
Is GoCalm™ a replacement for anxiety medication or therapy?
No. GoCalm™ is designed to support relaxation and a calming routine, not to replace medical or psychological treatment. If anxiety is significantly affecting your daily life, please speak with your doctor or a qualified health professional.
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