When traveling by car or boat, the stimulation of vibration and shaking can cause imbalance in the inner ear's labyrinth, leading to disrupted kidney function due to increased sympathetic nerve excitability. This can result in symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting.
Motion sickness is closely related to the body's vestibular balance organ. The vestibular organ is an important organ for maintaining body balance. When a car starts, runs, or brakes, the person's vestibular system is stimulated, and people prone to motion sickness are more likely to experience vestibular dysfunction, which then leads to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The autonomic nervous system has control over the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles, and when there is dysfunction, the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract can spasm or have reverse peristalsis, leading to vomiting. Additionally, there are receptors on the inner wall of the stomach, and during car motion, these receptors can be stretched, also causing reverse peristalsis of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles and resulting in vomiting.
Prevention and Treatment of Motion Sickness through Ear Acupressure
Pressing on the ear acupoints can effectively prevent and treat motion sickness and vomiting. When you feel uncomfortable while traveling, press on the "stomach" acupoint located where the earlobe disappears. When there is stomach spasms, this acupoint will be tender. It is important to note that ear acupoints are generally an area rather than a single point. By carefully searching this area with a probe or fingertip, you will find a point that is more tender, which is the acupoint you are looking for.
Technique for Pressing Ear Acupoints
When stimulating the "stomach" acupoint, press vertically with the fingertip of your finger, gradually increasing the pressure to a level that the person with motion sickness can tolerate. Press one side of the acupoint continuously for 3 to 5 minutes, rest for 2 minutes, and then press again or switch to the acupoint on the other ear. When pressing, be careful not to use your nails to avoid skin damage, and do not rub after pressing.
Reactions after Pressing Ear Acupoints
After pressing the "stomach" reflex area, there will be obvious pain in the local area of the ear, and it is only effective after producing significant pain. After pressing one or two more times, there will be a feeling of acid water in the stomach or a few sour belches. At this time, the feeling of vomiting will be significantly reduced or disappear, indicating that the stomach spasms have been relieved.
Mechanism of Treating Motion Sickness and Vomiting through Ear Acupressure
There are over 90 acupoints on the human ear, and many of these acupoints are reflex points for internal organs in the body. Stimulating these reflex points has a bidirectional regulatory effect on the corresponding organs. The so-called bidirectional regulatory effect means that when the organ function is excessively active, stimulating these reflex points can inhibit and adjust its function to restore it to a normal state; when the organ function is insufficient, stimulating these reflex points can excite and adjust its function to restore it to a normal state. The mechanism of using ear acupressure to prevent and treat motion sickness and vomiting is twofold: on one hand, by stimulating the relevant acupoints, it relieves spasms or reverse peristalsis of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles, restoring normal peristalsis and achieving the goal of treating vomiting; on the other hand, ear acupressure generally causes noticeable pain, and the pain stimulus helps shift the person's attention and alleviate discomfort caused by motion sickness.
Precautions for Preventing Motion Sickness and Vomiting
1. Ensure sufficient sleep before traveling.
2. Try not to eat before getting on the vehicle.
3. Take medications such as Gaofu'an or Metoclopramide 30 minutes before boarding.
4. Choose a seat in the front row when traveling by car, and use distractions such as talking to others or listening to music to divert attention during the journey.
