Our modern eating habits and increasing dependence on packed and ready to eat meals has lead not only to increased risk of heart diseases, obesity and diabetes, it has also disrupted our digestive system causing problems like indigestion, gas, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), heart burn, sour stomach, diarrhea, etc and most of us suffer from at least one of these problems although we don’t really speak up or do something to relieve it. The best way to treat all these issues is changing the eating pattern for good, but in the meantime acupressure and reflexology can be used effectively to relieve the painful side effects of an upset digestive system.
Common Causes of Digestive Problems:
The causes of stomach ailments are multiple and in most cases they work together. It is really difficult to determine the root cause and it is often treated according to the symptoms, but here are a few most common causes for digestive disorder:
- Poor Diet
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Nutritional Deficiency or Excess
- Bacterial Infection
- Chronic Medical Conditions
- Inflammation of the Digestive Tract
How Acupressure Treats Digestive Problems?
Acupressure originated in China more than 5,000 years and it is based on the theory that an ailment can be treated by balancing the unbalanced “qi” energy in various regions of the body. Most of the digestive disorders arise from inflammation of the digestive tract that leads to decreased digestion and absorption of nutrients. Acupressure helps in healing the inflamed digestive linings by restoring the balanced flow of energy throughout the body.
9 Effective Acupressure Regions for Treating Digestive Problems:
Stimulating these 9 specific points can help in relieving the pain caused by indigestion and treating problems like constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas and bloating.
Union Valley:
This point is located in the webbing between the index finger and the thumb. Stimulating this point improves over all intestinal function and helps relieve diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain.
Crooked Pond:
This point is located at the top of the elbow crease, at the edge of the joint. Stimulating this point helps in relieving diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain.
Outer Gate:
This point is located three fingers width above the wrist crease, on the outer side of the hand. Stimulating this point helps in relieving nausea and vomiting.
Inner Gate:
This point is located three fingers width above the wrist crease, in the middle of the arm on the palm side of the hand. Stimulating this point relieves stomach ache, indigestion, vomiting and anxiety.
Three Point Mile:
This point is located on the outer edge of the leg, three fingers width below the knee. Stimulating this point helps in relieving ulcer, enteritis, nausea, gas and bloating.
Grandfather-Grandson:
This point is located on the side of inner side of the foot, four finger width away from the big toe. Stimulating this point harmonizes energy flow in the stomach and relieves indigestion, stomach ache and nausea.
Three Yin Crossing:
This point is located three finger widths above the inner ankle bone. Stimulating this point helps in overall healing of diseases related to the lower abdomen. It relieves colitis, abdominal distention and flatulence.
Great Rushing:
This point is located in the webbing between the big and the second toes. Stimulating this point helps in improving gall-bladder health and relieving nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Middle Cavity:
This point is located half way between the breast bone and the belly button, at the mid-line of the body. Stimulating this point helps in relieving heartburn, indigestion and abdominal pain.
Stretching to Open all the Digestive Channels:
It is important to stretch the entire body before beginning the acupressure session in order to unblock the blocked meridians and help the “qi” flow throughout the body that will make the session more effective.
- Raise your arms above your head while breathing in and stretch backwards as much as you can without hurting yourself.
- Count till 3 and come back to the original position while exhaling slowly.
- Inhale and bend forward in the rag doll position while exhaling.
- Count till 3 and come back to the starting position while inhaling.
- Bring your arms above your head and lean your body to the right side while exhaling
- Come back to the starting position while inhaling
- Now lean your body to the left side while exhaling
- Come back to the starting position while inhaling
- Repeat this whole stretching workout 3 times to open all digestive channels.
All these pressure points helps in opening up the digestive channel and it will benefit any digestive condition in an effective way. So the next time you feel bloated and full, don’t just reach out for an antacid, try out these easy and simple reflexology procedures and get long term relief from digestive problems.
Image Sources: innerpath.com.au, roots-of-life-acupuncture.com, blog.doctoroz.com, momsgonezen.com, pinterest.com
Thank you for your article. I am suffering from IBS for over 5 years now and I suffer from excessive gas which tends to push upwards causing chest congestion which can only be relived by passing stool. Further the bowel movement is mostly 4 – 5 times in a day. Could u plz guide me on which acupressure technique will show result and how long I need to press a point and the frequency in a day. Also how soon will I ne able to see results given the fact that my ailment is chronic.
Thanks in advance
Subhro
You can apply pressure on each of the points for 5 minutes and then move on to the next point or set of points.
you should approach any ayurvedic dr,they really can help you.i was also suffering from ibs for 5 years ,someone told me about ayurvedic treatments that can cure this irritating problem,then i visited patanjali yogpeeth haridwar for the recommended treatment,my experience waa unbelievable.so you can also visit ptnjli and take various treatments .
Thanx for the efforts and the time spent,for us to benefit from ur lectures
Thanks so much for this information. I am definitely going to try. I hope it helps me.
Can you write the names of all the points you described? ie. Large Intesting 4 (LI4)
How can I print these articles for my personal use without the borders. Even at 70% on the print tab you don’t get the whole article. They are excellent and I want to use them away from the computer.
Thank you.
IMAGES OF SOME OF THESE POINTS ARE MISSING. LIKE THE OUTER GATE AND MIDDLE CAVITY. CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE THOSE. IT WOULD BE OF GREAT HELP.
THANKS
MY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE BEEN TRHU LOTS OF STRESS & ANXIETY. THIS HAS AFFECTED MY DIGESTION A LOT. NOW, THE MAIN PROBLEMS IS THAT MY LIVER OR GALL BLADDER DOES NOT PRODUCE OX BILE. SO FAT IS NOT DIGESTED OR ABSORBED. IS THERE ANY POINTS TO HEAL THIS.
Could someone advise me….about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with dyspepsia and was vomiting every second day with acid reflux. After about six months the vomiting stopped without medication. The acid reflux got worse for a while and burning throughout my body. I have done two acupuncture sessions and most of the acid reflux has stopped just some burning occasionally. Now however, I have unbearable constipation, stomach ache, nausea and a tight, gnawing pain (sometimes like electricity) mostly across my upper left chest, arms and sometimes hands. I’m getting a lot of headaches recently and like the food isn’t going down properly or fast enough. The acupuncturist put a needle under breast bone, on top of stomach last time and its been really hurting there, subsided somewhat after a week. Any suggestions would be great!! I was diagnosed with GERD as well and have tried alternatives – aloe vera, salts, ionized water, turned veggie, cut out some processed foods and spicy foods. Nothing has helped!
https://www.modernreflexology.com/acupressure-points-for-acid-reflux-gerd-heartburn/ Follow this article for best results. and remember to make lifestyle changes. A change in your diet can do wonders.
As my father hassigmoid colon mass means tumour in large intestine.
Doctor has suggested to cut some part of effected area.
I do not want to operate
Let me provide or help to cure this with acupressure or any other alternative medicine
It is best to operate, acupressure can help alleviate the pain, but to remove the tumour you need the help of conventional medication.
I too would like an illustration of the outer gate and middle cavity
Thanky you,
Wayne
Sure we will look into it.
mam this is nikita frm rewa ( mp), mumma is suffering frm very bad health, she is nt able to digest anythng she is suffering frm excess urinal issues since 15 yrs, we have tried every treatment bt nthng worked, since yrs she is surviving on very simple meal, nt even a single fruit she has consumed since thn PLEASE suggest smthing.kissiko kuch bhi bta to sb kehte h ki ye sb vahm h but mene unki halat dekhi h, ye koi vahm nhi h please mam help her out.
It is best you take her to a doctor.
Chronic diseases take along time to heal. I had felt that your stomach is first affected by excess stress around you. Ask her to practice relaxing. Daily do hand & foot massage two time empty stomach. Walking helps a lot. Mix this basic therapy with any doctor’s treatment and hope improvement.
My son has been unwell all day with a bad stomach and has kept going to the toilet… It is now 1:30am he woke up at 11pm and couldn’t keep still because of stomach pain and feeling sick… I didn’t think he would be able to settle back down… I have just done a combination of the above points and within 10 minutes he settled and drifted back to sleep. Thank you so much for sharing!
We are so glad it worked for your son.
Very knowledgeable information.
Thank you for appreciating our work.
I. Also would like to see the two missing pictures.
I have a question is there some thing for the hip ?
Margot
https://www.modernreflexology.com/acupressure-points-to-relieve-hip-back-pain/. This article should help you.
I have a severe pain in my upper abdomen just above t belly button on an approx four inch area. It has been for many years. I got all t investigations done but there is no diagnosis of any ailment . I am happy that nothing has come out but I am in pain 24*7. Pls suggest a solution how to get rid of it.
Do try these acupressure points to find out if you have any digestive issues. If the problem persists, contact a nearby acupuncturist.
Thank you for the explanation. I’ve been searching treatment for stomach ache with acupressure.
We are so glad we could help you!
I just used your techniques on my daughter when she was feeling nauseous, had chills and had stomach pain. In less than 15 minutes, she was on the mend. Thank you for your clear instructions.
We always look forward to hearing from our readers, thanks so much for appreciating our work.
This is a very helpful article. I am suffering from stomach ache as well as a toothache at the moment. This is God send, thank you!!
We are so glad this could help you. Thank you so much for appreciating our work.