Acupressure Points For Gas And Bloating
Acupressure is a type of massage that uses gentle manipulation and fingers and palm pressure to bring health and vitality to your life.
Pressure will be applied to various points on the body that are connected by energy pathways known as acupuncture meridians. The therapist can use various rhythms and techniques to stimulate, unblock, and balance vital energy flow to relieve pain and treat a variety of chronic conditions.
Acupressure, like acupuncture, has its origins in ancient China and complies with the same theories and principles drawn by Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy.
This is why it is sometimes referred to as acupuncture without needles.
Benefits of acupressure
Acupressure massage is a relaxing experience and can be used to regulate body functions, such as metabolism, digestion, and sleep. It also helps to:
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Relieve stress, tension, and anxiety |
Effective for gas, bloating, and stomach pain, among other conditions. |
Relax muscles, tendons, and joints |
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Treat insomnia and depression |
Soothe pain and soreness resulting from exercising |
Relieve menstrual cramps |
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Minimize migraines |
Relieve chronic pain |
Minimize migraines |
This therapy stimulates the body’s circulatory, lymphatic, and hormonal systems. It also supports the functioning of the immune system and the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
CHINESE MEDICINE
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) involves working on specific energy points on the body with needles, heat, massage, or in the case of acupressure, finger pressure. These points are located along acupuncture meridians, which are lines that run through the body and allow energy to circulate from one region or organ to another.
All TCM techniques aim to re-establish the flow of Qi, life energy, across the meridians, letting the body reorganize its own balance in search of a better state of health. Disruptions to this energy transit cause emotional and physical illness. This therapeutic approach offers medical treatments, not for isolated symptoms but for the entire organism as a whole
BLOATING & GAS
Stomach pain, bloating, constipation and gas are digestive disorders with a high prevalence in the general population.
Because of its many nonspecific causes that frequently result in complex symptoms, western medicine finds it difficult to make a diagnosis in time, resulting in a high rate of resistance to conventional medical treatment and a significant reduction in patients’ life quality.
CHINESE MEDICINE VIEW
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are three main causes by which digestive problems can be triggered.
1. LOW ENERGY (QI) OF THE LIVER THAT WILL WEAKEN THE SPLEEN
The liver regulates strong emotions like rage and anger; when anger episodes are frequent and excessive, the liver saturates and blocks, loses control, and attacks the spleen, weakening it. This is the main reason why irascible people are more prone to digestive problems.
2. WEAKNESS OF THE QI SPLEEN AND THE STOMACH.
The main reason why the stomach and spleen are affected is due to poor eating
habits and not having established mealtimes.
3. DAMPNESS OBSTRUCTION
When the spleen stops properly assimilating and transforming food, dampness
results. This is due to a high-fat, high-sugar diet. Dampness produced weakens the spleen and causes blood to stagnate, resulting in a very slow, heavy digestion Sedentism and a lack of physical activity are also identified as contributing factors to Spleen Qi stagnation and obstruction.
When dealing with a dampness obstruction, the most common symptoms will be:Lack of appetite, Stomachache, Bad digestions, Sickness, Gastric reflux, Bloated and hard abdomen, Intestinal gases and Constipation.
DOES ACUPRESSURE FOR GAS AND BLOATING REALLY WORK?
Acupressure is a very effective therapy for gas, bloating, stomach pain, and other unpleasant digestive symptoms.
Recent studies conducted in three hospitals in Mazandaran, Iran, to investigate the effects of acupressure points for constipation in hemodialysis patients, yielded conclusive results that acupressure appears to be an effective treatment for constipation in hemodialysis patients. (Abbasi P, Mojalli M, Kianmehr M, Zamani S., 2019).
The results of this study were consistent with those of previous research on the
effect of acupressure on improving gastrointestinal function. (Fang et al., 2012).
Another clinical trial on long-term care patients showed that performing acupressure at acupressure points ST-25, ST36, and CV12 two minutes per day for 15 days improved bowel movement in these patients. (Tsai, 2011).
Acupressure Points For Gas and Bloating:
1. Zusanli – Stomach 36 (St36)
Location: On the external lateral aspect of the leg, find the ‘eye of the knee’
(depression in the lower outer corner of the kneecap) 4 fingers wide towards the foot and 1 fingerbreadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, on the tibialis anterior muscle.
Functions:
● Regulates the Stomach
● Strengthens the Spleen
● Transforms dampness
Method: Apply finger pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation with clockwise movements several times for 3 to 10 minute cycles. Do this for a week or until you feel better.
2.Sanyinjiao – Spleen 6 (Sp6)
Location: 4 fingers width up over the highest prominence of the internal ankle bone, on the posterior border of the medial crest of the tibia.
Functions:
● Tonifies the Spleen and the Stomach
● Tonifies the Stomach
● Eliminates Dampness
Method: Apply finger pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation with clockwise movements several times for 3 to 10 minute cycles. Do this for a week or until you feel better.
3.Qihai – Conception Vessel 6 (CV6)
Location: On the midline of the body, below the navel, 2 fingers wide towards the pubis. The width of the index finger and middle finger together and placed under the navel
Functions:
● Tonifies the Original Qi (yuan qi) as well as Qi in general
● Harmonises Blood
● Eliminates Dampness
Method: Apply finger pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation with clockwise movements several times for 3 to 10 minute cycles. Do this for 10 days.
4. Zhongwan – Conception Vessel 12 (CV12)
Along with its benefits on bloating and gas, Zhongwan is also known as an effective acupressure point for stomach pain.
Location: 4 fingers width superior to the umbilicus on the anterior midline
Functions:
● Major point for (functional) stomach disorders.
● Descends the counterflow energy (burps, gastric reflux)
● Regulates the energy flow
● Alleviates stomach pain Eliminates dampness
Method:
Press during exhalation and release during inhalation with clockwise movements several times for 3 to 10 minute cycles. Do this for 10 days.
5.Weishu – Gall Blader 21 (BL21)
Location:
On the posterior midline (back vertical midline), on the level of the lower border of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12), 2 fingers wide to both sides of the line
Functions:
● The main point for regulating any dysfunction of the stomach.
● Regulates the Stomach
● Descends counterflow Qi
● Eliminates Dampness and food stagnation
Method:
Apply finger pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation with clockwise movements several times for 3 to 10 minute cycles. Do this for 10 days.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO MANAGE BLOATING AND GAS?
Along with the hand acupressure points for gas and bloating, and acupressure points for constipation, and stomach pain, you can make changes to diet and lifestyle.
Eliminate these causative factors from your diet:
● Carbonated beverages such as soda and beer.
● Large heavy meals, because they overload your stomach and spleen.
● High-starch foods such as potatoes, peanuts, and pumpkin.
● Spicy, Frozen, and Fried food
● Alcohol, White sugar and Coffee
Consumer Bitter Food
According to TCM, bitter foods help your energy move downwards and benefit
digestion. Try taking a cup of tangerine or orange peel tea with a dash of honey.
Ginger is a really important herb in Chinese medicine. It is great for making you feel less stuffed. Have some thin slices of ginger during or right after your meal to prevent bloating. Also, cinnamon, as in tea, and nutmeg can be consumed for the same purpose.
After your meals, try chewing a pinch of dry roasted fennel seeds or coriander.
These seeds have long been praised for their ability to reduce gas and bloating while also refreshing the breath.
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Reference:
Abbasi, P., Mojalli, M., Kianmehr, M., & Zamani, S. (2019). Effect of acupressure on constipation in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 9(1), 84–91.
Fang Y-Y, Wang P-L, Tsai C-M, Hsieh M-H. Application of acupressure as a constipation intervention method in patients with acute coronary artery diseases: a systematic review Sigma theta tau internationals 23rd international nursing research congress. Brisbane. 2012
Tsai H. The Effectiveness of acupressure on improving bowel movement in long-term care patients (Thesis)
2011.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
