In summer, there is an increasing number of patients with digestive disorders due to overeating, and abdominal distension is their earliest symptom. If not taken seriously, it can gradually develop into gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric prolapse. Therefore, for summer diet, it is essential to control it properly. At the same time, self-massage can effectively relieve discomfort such as abdominal distension, enhance the function of spleen and stomach digestion, and promote nutrient absorption. Here, we introduce an effective acupoint, Zhongwan (CV12), which can improve symptoms of abdominal distension. Self-massage on this acupoint daily can effectively prevent the occurrence of digestive disorders such as abdominal distension.
Food stagnation can cause abdominal distension and pain
Zhongwan acupoint is the meeting point of the eight meridians, and it can treat diseases related to the organs. What is "organ" in Chinese medicine? The chest and abdomen contain many organs in the human body. In simple terms, organs are substantial organs that contain the essence of the body, while "fu" (organ) is relatively "empty". It can produce and transport the essence of the body but cannot store it. For example, the stomach is an organ that receives and ripens food and belongs to "fu". Once food stagnation occurs in the stomach, it can cause food retention. Traditional Chinese medicine says, "If there is no passage, there will be pain and disease." Food stagnation in the stomach can cause symptoms such as abdominal distension and pain. Ancient people often used acupuncture or massage on Zhongwan acupoint to treat stomach distension. "Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing" says, "For stomach distension, there is fullness and pain in the abdomen and stomach, burnt smell in the nose, hindrance in eating, and difficult bowel movements." The above symptoms indicate the dysfunction of the stomach in ripening and digesting food and the stagnation of the stomach and abdomen.
Massage on Zhongwan acupoint helps ripening and transportation
In addition, Zhongwan acupoint is also the acupoint for the stomach. In other words, by directly stimulating the stomach's acupoint, it can alleviate discomfort in the stomach. Zhongwan acupoint plays an important role in promoting digestion, regulating the middle energizer, and replenishing the middle qi. It is also one of the main acupoints for self-massage. "Ling Shu · Hai Lun" says, "The stomach is the ocean of water and grain." Massage on Zhongwan acupoint can also directly affect the "ocean of water and grain" to regulate the stomach's ripening and absorption abilities. Some people have certain psychological fears about acupuncture, so massage, as a non-invasive and green therapy, is more easily accepted. Stimulating Zhongwan acupoint through self-massage techniques can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, help food ripening and transportation, and prevent and treat symptoms such as abdominal distension caused by food stagnation.
To further understand the therapeutic effects of self-massage on Zhongwan acupoint, we can interestingly compare it to "mediation". Taking abdominal distension, which is common in summer, as an example, when overeating leads to impaired spleen and stomach digestion, qi and dampness accumulate in the middle energizer. The qi mechanism is trapped by dampness, and the dampness cannot be resolved, resulting in a vicious cycle. This "mediation" is like the role of a traffic police officer. Car A (dampness) and car B (qi) collide at the intersection (middle energizer spleen and stomach), causing a two-way traffic jam. Originally, both sides were running at high speed, but after the accident, they became a situation of competing with each other, resulting in even more congestion. At this time, a "force" is needed to resolve the contradictions between the two parties. Although the force of "mediation" acts on a small area between the middle energizer, it seems to contain infinite power, thereby accelerating the operation and transmission of the spleen and stomach qi mechanism and regulating the qi mechanism of the five organs. By mediating, it improves the unfavorable situation of qi mechanism. Although the treatment is applied to this acupoint, it has a wide and lasting effect. It can regulate qi and treat the spirit above, and promote the circulation of water and food below. The communication between the three energizers and the flow of qi and blood are all smooth because of this acupoint.
In addition, to enhance the health benefits, here are 3 complementary methods:
Tuanmo around the navel
Lying on the back or standing, overlap the palms next to the navel, and massage in a clockwise and counterclockwise circular motion around the navel 100 times each. This method can promote the flow of Qi and blood in the abdomen, dissipate accumulation, and maintain the normal operation of the Qi mechanism.
Moving palms on the abdomen
The patient lies on the back, with the right hand horizontally placed on the right side of the abdomen, and the left hand placed horizontally on top of the right hand. The palm root of the right hand applies upward force to push the abdomen to the left end, while the left hand assists with force. Then, except for the thumb, the other four fingers of the right hand are hooked and exerted on the left side of the abdomen, pushing the abdomen to the right side with upward force, while the left hand assists with force. Repeat this movement 20 times. This method can effectively dredge the accumulated Qi in the abdomen and restore the normal operation of the organs' Qi mechanism.
Rubbing Zusanli acupoint on the foot
Sit down and place the thumb on the Zusanli acupoint (excluding the thumb, the other four fingers of the palm are close together, and the side of the index finger is placed on the depression on the outside of the kneecap, which is the acupoint above the outer eye of the knee, and the intersection of the horizontal plane of the little finger side and the front side of the lower leg bone is slightly outside, which is the Zusanli acupoint). Rub it 50 times with slightly more force. This can regulate the spleen and stomach, tonify the middle, and invigorate qi, as well as strengthen the body and dispel pathogenic factors.
Zhongwan acupoint - the golden acupoint in the upper abdomen
Zhongwan acupoint belongs to the Ren meridian and is located in the upper abdomen, 4 inches above the navel. Method of locating the acupoint: close the four fingers of the left hand except for the thumb, and place the palm tightly against the upper abdomen with the index finger on top and the little finger at the bottom. The bottom end of the right thumb is placed on top of the index finger of the left hand, and the intersection point of the horizontal line of the top end of the right thumb and the vertical line of the navel is the Zhongwan acupoint. Simplified method of locating the acupoint: it is located halfway between the lower end of the sternum and the Shenque acupoint (navel).
