Many people know that massage is beneficial for health, and massaging the right acupoints can further enhance its effectiveness.
Nine acupoints suitable for massage and health preservation
Acupoint for relieving back pain: Weizhong
The Weizhong acupoint is located in the middle of the popliteal fossa. According to traditional Chinese medicine, massaging the Weizhong acupoint can promote the smooth flow of qi and blood in the back for office workers who often experience discomfort in the back and shoulders due to prolonged sitting or improper posture. When massaging the Weizhong acupoint, it is advisable to apply slight pressure and feel a slight soreness. Press and release once for each movement, and generally repeat this process about 20 times. It is worth mentioning that if the back pain is caused by kidney deficiency, it is important to tonify the kidneys.
Acupoint for clearing heat and relieving pain: Hegu
The Hegu acupoint, also known as the "Tiger's Mouth," is located at the highest point of the bulging muscle when the thumb and index finger are closed together. The Hegu acupoint has the functions of clearing heat, relieving exterior conditions, and calming pain. It is effective for diseases of the head and face. It can be used to relieve headaches, fever, toothache, and other symptoms caused by wind-heat colds when medication is not immediately effective. The pressure should feel slightly sore, numb, and swollen. If accompanied by a fever, scraping the skin on the back of the neck with a porcelain spoon or pinching and pulling the surrounding skin with the fingers until it turns red can help eliminate heat toxins and bring down the fever more quickly.
Acupoint for nourishing the stomach: Zhongwan
The Zhongwan acupoint is located on the midline of the abdomen, at the midpoint between the lower end of the sternum and the navel. Pressing on this acupoint may cause a sour and painful sensation. People with stomach problems can often massage the Zhongwan acupoint. For patients with acute stomach pain, pressing the Zhongwan acupoint with the fingertips for 10 seconds and then releasing, repeating the process, can relieve symptoms in three to five minutes. For patients with chronic stomach discomfort, massaging the Zhongwan acupoint with the palm can promote digestion. For patients with acute gastroenteritis, in addition to massaging the Zhongwan acupoint, pressing the Tianzhu acupoint (located 2 inches beside the navel) and the Daju acupoint (located 2 inches below and 2 inches beside the navel) can be used for additional treatment.
Acupoint for tonifying the kidneys: Guanyuan
The Guanyuan acupoint is located 3 inches below the navel (about the width of four fingers apart, excluding the thumb). Massaging the Guanyuan acupoint can replenish kidney qi and delay aging. For men, massaging the Guanyuan acupoint can relieve kidney deficiency, back pain, and hair loss. For women, massaging the Guanyuan acupoint can treat and relieve many gynecological problems. Before massaging the Guanyuan acupoint, rub the palms of the hands together to generate heat, and then rub the palms on the Guanyuan acupoint in the abdomen, gradually increasing the pressure until a warm sensation is felt.
Acupoint for heart health: Neiguan
Extend the arm, palm facing up, make a fist, and lift the wrist. Two tendons can be seen in the middle of the arm, and the Neiguan acupoint is located between these two tendons, about two finger widths away from the wrist. Massaging the Neiguan acupoint can help promote the smooth flow of blood and qi. Use the thumb to press vertically downwards, massaging for about 3 minutes until the local area feels sore and numb. In addition to protecting the heart, the Neiguan acupoint is also an emergency acupoint. In the event of a sudden heart attack, have the patient lie flat and massage the Neiguan acupoint to relieve pain. In addition, massaging the Neiguan acupoint can also relieve headaches, dry mouth, sore throat, cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, and lower back pain.
Acupoint for relaxing tendons and activating circulation: Yanglingquan
The Yanglingquan acupoint is located on the lower leg. To find it, sit upright and feel the leg. There is a protrusion below and outside the knee joint called the head of the fibula. The depression below and in front of the head of the fibula is the location of the Yanglingquan acupoint. Regularly massaging the Yanglingquan acupoint and moving the shoulders can help relieve pain in the shoulder area. In addition, the Yanglingquan acupoint also has a relieving effect on breast swelling, rib pain, and intercostal neuralgia.
"All-purpose" acupoint: Zusanli
There is a saying in folk medicine: "Pressing Zusanli is better than eating a good chicken." The location of the Zusanli acupoint is 3 inches below the outer knee cap. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of the abdomen, and for diseases related to the abdomen, such as chronic gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhea, and stomach cold, massaging the Zusanli acupoint can be effective. In addition, the Zusanli acupoint has a good preventive effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, cerebral hemorrhage, and arteriosclerosis. Office workers and people with sub-health conditions can press the Zusanli acupoint for 10 minutes every day to reduce work stress and relieve fatigue.
Acupoint for nourishing yin and preserving beauty: Sanyinjiao
Sanyinjiao is known as the "women's acupoint" and is located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the highest point of the ankle bone. Massaging the Sanyinjiao acupoint can help unblock the body's stagnation, nourish the uterus and ovaries, and have the effects of regulating menstruation, removing spots, reducing wrinkles, and treating acne, skin allergies, dermatitis, and eczema. Starting from three days before the menstrual period, massaging the Sanyinjiao acupoint every day for three months can alleviate menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea. When massaging, place the thumb upright on the acupoint, press down and then rub, massaging for about 1 minute each time, taking breaks in between. Because massaging the Sanyinjiao acupoint regulates the circulation of qi and blood in the body, it is not suitable for pregnant women.
Acupoint for calming the mind and promoting health: Yongquan
Yongquan is the first acupoint of the kidney meridian and is located on the sole of the foot, in the front one-third of the foot, at the indentation when the foot is bent. There is a saying in folk medicine: "Press Yongquan a hundred times before sleep to invigorate the spleen and nourish the essence and blood." After washing the feet every day, use the thumbs of both hands to rub and massage the Yongquan acupoint for about 10 minutes. This can help with sleep. For people with neurasthenia, the massage time can be extended to half an hour. After the weather warms up, walking barefoot or wearing socks on a pebble path can stimulate the Yongquan acupoint.
