Toothache refers to the pain caused by various reasons in the teeth and is one of the common symptoms of oral diseases, such as dental caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, and dentin hypersensitivity in Western medicine. Toothache can be triggered or aggravated by cold, hot, acidic, sweet, and other stimuli, falling into the category of "ya xuan" and "gu cao feng" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Now I will introduce the massage therapy for treating toothache.
1. Preparation
Sit or stand, relax the whole body, gaze straight ahead with slightly closed eyes, regulate breathing, and rest for 1-2 minutes.
2. Pinch Hegu acupoint
Use the tip of the thumb to pinch the Hegu acupoint on the opposite side, with the other four fingers resting in the palm. Apply gradually increasing pressure and pinch for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Disperse wind, relieve exterior, activate collaterals, and alleviate pain.
3. Rub Xiaguan acupoint
Use the middle finger or index finger pad of both hands to rub the Xiaguan acupoint on the same side of the face, applying moderate pressure and rubbing for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Disperse wind, clear heat, relieve spasm, and alleviate pain.
4. Press Chechi acupoint
Use the thumb pad of both hands to press the Chechi acupoint on the same side of the face, applying appropriate pressure and gradually increasing it, press for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Relieve spasm, alleviate pain, activate blood circulation, and reduce swelling.
5. Rub Fengchi acupoint
Use the thumb tip of both hands to rub the Fengchi acupoint on the same side, with the other four fingers resting on both sides of the head, applying moderate pressure and rubbing for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Expel wind, dispel cold, refresh the mind, and awaken the brain.
6. Pinch Shaohai acupoint
Use the tip of the thumb to pinch the Shaohai acupoint on the opposite side, applying appropriate pressure and pinch for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Expel wind, dispel cold, activate collaterals, and relieve pain.
7. Press Yangxi acupoint
Use the thumb pad to press the Yangxi acupoint on the opposite side, applying appropriate pressure and press for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Regulate intestines, clear heat, and relieve pain.
8. Pinch toothache acupoint
Use the tip of the thumb to pinch the toothache acupoint on the opposite side, applying appropriate pressure and pinch for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Activate blood circulation, relieve pain, activate collaterals, and relieve spasm.
9. Rub and press the cheeks
Use the palm of both hands, place them on both sides of the cheeks, apply appropriate pressure and rub and press for 0.5-1 minute, with the goal of generating heat in the cheeks.
Effect: Activate collaterals, dispel cold, relieve spasm, and alleviate pain.
10. Push Xingjian acupoint
Use the thumb pad of one hand to push up and down on the Xingjian acupoint on the opposite side, applying appropriate pressure and push for 0.5-1 minute.
Effect: Reduce swelling, relieve pain, activate meridians, and promote blood circulation.
Self-massage can be performed when experiencing pain. When massaging the face, gradually increase the pressure until a sore and swollen sensation is felt at the painful area. Focus on massaging the affected side of the face. For limb massage, target both sides of the acupoints. It is also important to maintain good oral hygiene on a regular basis.
