Acupuncture and massage have no side effects and have significant therapeutic effects, so more and more people choose these methods to treat diseases. Regular massage of the following 5 commonly used acupuncture points can have similar effects as taking certain drugs and can have a good health care effect.
Zusanli. Located 4 finger widths below the outer knee, it is named because it can treat various abdominal symptoms. It is one of the nine acupuncture points for tonifying yang and is an important point for treating gastric diseases and strengthening the body. Massaging Zusanli has the effect of tonifying the middle Qi. When used for tonifying, it can invigorate the spleen and nourish the stomach, tonify the middle and benefit Qi, similar to the effects of herbs such as Codonopsis, Atractylodes, Dioscorea, and Chinese Red Dates; when used for purging, it can promote digestion, relieve stagnation, and harmonize the stomach and intestines, similar to the effects of hawthorn and rhubarb.
Sanyinjiao. Located 4 fingers above the inner ankle, it is the acupoint of the spleen meridian of the foot Taiyin. It is named because it is the meeting point of the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians. The liver stores blood, the spleen governs blood, the kidneys store essence, and essence and blood nourish each other. Therefore, it is an important acupoint for treating blood-related diseases. When used for tonifying, it can invigorate the spleen, tonify the blood, and regulate the blood, similar to the effects of herbs such as Chinese Angelica, Donkey-hide Gelatin, Carthamus, and Coix Seed; when used for purging, it can activate blood circulation and resolve stasis, similar to the effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Peach Kernel, and Safflower.
Shenmen. Located slightly above the radial side of the wrist crease, it is the original acupoint of the Heart Meridian of the Hand Shaoyin, known as the gateway for the movement of the Shenqi. When used for tonifying, it can calm the mind and nourish the heart Qi, similar to the effects of Sour Jujube Seed and Arborvitae Seed; when used for purging, it can clear the heart and open the orifices, similar to the effects of the Chinese medicine Zixuedan and Acorus gramineus.
Guanyuan. Located four fingers below the navel, it is an acupoint of the Ren Meridian. It is located at the intersection of the body's Yin and Yang Qi and can tonify the Yuan Yang. The "Classical Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion" says: "This acupoint is the place where men store essence and women store blood..." It can treat various deficiencies. When used for tonifying, it can tonify the kidney Yang, similar to the effects of Deer Antler, Cinnamon, Morinda Root, Curculigo, and Ginseng Spleen; this acupoint is mainly used to treat diseases of a deficient nature, and purging methods are rarely used.
Qihai. Located two fingers below the navel, it is an acupoint of the Ren Meridian, known as the sea of all Qi, and has the function of tonifying the Yuan Qi. When used for tonifying, it can tonify the Yuan Qi, similar to the effects of Ginseng and Astragalus; when used for purging, it can promote Qi circulation and regulate Qi, similar to the effects of Atractylodes, Lychee Seed, Agarwood, and Curcuma.
It is important to note that the above-mentioned acupoints are commonly used in clinical practice. When people choose to use them for health care, they are only utilizing one or two of their many functions. If they are used to treat diseases, it is necessary to seek treatment from a specialist.
