Constipation, although not a serious illness, can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body due to long-term constipation, causing the phenomenon of toxin accumulation in the five organs, reducing the function of the five organs, and damaging liver function. Therefore, it is important to learn acupressure to prevent constipation!
Causes of Constipation
Constipation is related to current work and lifestyle.
Prolonged sitting, such as desk work and driving, can slow down intestinal peristalsis due to prolonged standing, resulting in excessive absorption of water from food residues and hard stools.
1. Irregular lifestyle
Modern people, especially young people, often indulge in excessive eating, staying up late, and irregular eating habits. The stomach and intestines often do not eat when they should and are filled with large amounts of food when they should rest. Over time, this disrupts the normal function of the digestive system, leading to constipation.
2. Overconsumption of spicy and hot foods
Foods that are excessively spicy and greasy, such as chili peppers, alcohol, and meat, can consume excessive amounts of water and digestive fluids during the digestion process, causing dryness in the intestines and affecting bowel movements.
In addition, emotional issues such as anger, irritability, or excessive mental exertion can affect the autonomic nervous system, negatively affecting the secretion of digestive fluids and the movement of the digestive tract, leading to constipation.
Emergency Acupressure Techniques
Traditional Chinese medicine classifies constipation into various types, such as deficiency of qi, deficiency of blood, excess heat, and deficiency of yin. When performing acupressure, these classifications are also followed.
However, in terms of treatment, acupressure is different from taking oral medications. Following the principle of "treating the symptoms in emergencies, treating the root cause to promote overall healing," acupressure takes advantage of its direct stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
By relieving constipation, the functions of the six organs can be restored and a good internal environment can be created for the next step of nourishing qi, blood, clearing heat, and nourishing yin.
Through regular treatment with the help of acupressure, the peristalsis and secretion rhythm of the digestive tract can be "reconstructed" and "optimized," thereby treating the root cause.
In clinical practice, acupressure for constipation patients also includes additional techniques and acupoints related to qi, blood, deficiency, and excess, tailored to each individual, timing, and location.
Acupressure to Prevent Constipation
1. Large Intestine Shu Point
Locate the acupoint: This acupoint is located in the lower back, 1.5 inches away from the lower edge of the fourth lumbar spinous process.
Acupressure technique: Use the fingertips of both thumbs to massage this acupoint with moderate pressure until a slight soreness is felt. Do this once in the morning and once in the evening.
2. Stomach 36
Locate the acupoint: Sit on a chair and let your lower leg hang vertically. Find the depression below the knee, close your four fingers together, and place your index finger on the depression. The corresponding point is Stomach 36.
Acupressure technique: Use the fingertip of the middle finger to massage this point. This can help prevent constipation, and it is also beneficial for women as it can tonify qi and blood.
