The lungs are a very important organ in the human body, but due to the changing temperatures in spring, it is easy to develop lung diseases. Therefore, in addition to taking care of the liver in spring, it is also important to focus on nourishing the lungs. In addition to choosing appropriate food, traditional Chinese medicine acupressure also has good effects in nourishing the lungs.
Nourishing the Lungs with Acupressure
1. Shao Shang Acupoint
Location: Located at the corner of the thumbnail of the thumb (on the side away from the index finger).
Effect: Shao Shang is an important acupoint for treating cough. It can help clear heat and relieve fire. You can use your own thumbnail to press on it. If you find that you cannot effectively massage it, you can use a cotton swab for assistance.
2. Cheng Jiang Acupoint
Location: Located in the depression below the lips.
Effect: Press and rub with the index finger, and you will feel secretion in the mouth. This secretion can not only prevent dryness in autumn, but also contains salivary glands that can slow down aging and give the elderly a ruddy complexion. This method is simple and practical, and can be used anytime as a long-term health care method without being affected by time or place.
3. Tian Rong Acupoint
Location: It is located above the midpoint of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (a muscle that rotates the neck) and the angle of the jaw.
Effect: Gently press with the thumb pads of both hands or make circular movements, and coordinate with slow swallowing movements. Tian Rong acupoint has a good moisturizing effect on the lungs and protects the throat, making it an "throat-protecting acupoint".
4. Yun Men Acupoint
Location: Yun Men acupoint is located on the outer upper part of the chest wall, above the acromion of the scapula, in the depression below the clavicle. It is 6 inches away from the midline, 1/3 down from the outer end of the clavicle, and 1 inch up from the middle of the upper part of the chest. Standing with hands on hips, the center of the triangular depression on the outer end of the clavicle at the upper part of the chest is the acupoint. "Yun" refers to clouds and mist, and "Men" refers to doorways. The human body's qi and blood are similar to clouds and mist in the weather, which can nurture all things. The place where they first appear is called Yun Men.
Effect: Clears the lungs, relieves restlessness, stops coughing, and regulates the joints. It also regulates heat in the chest, restlessness in the chest, cough, asthma, shoulder and arm pain, inability to lift the upper limbs, and other symptoms.
5. Lie Que Acupoint
Location: Located at the intersection of the tiger's mouth of both hands, on the side of the wrist when the wrist is extended, where the index finger reaches.
Effect: Lie Que acupoint is a collateral point of the lung meridian of the hand taiyin. The lungs govern the skin and hair, and control the body's surface. Stimulating Lie Que acupoint can promote lung function, relieve wind and detoxify, treat cough, asthma, dry and itchy throat, hoarseness, and chronic pharyngitis.
Acupressure Techniques for Nourishing the Lungs
1. Neck Massage
Sit or stand straight, tilt your head back, stretch your neck, and massage along the throat down to the chest. Alternate massaging with both hands for 30 times, and repeat two to three times. When massaging, keep the thumb and other fingers open, align the tiger's mouth with the throat, and rub down from below the chin with appropriate force. Press the "Renying" acupoint 5-10 times. This method can soothe the throat and help with cough and phlegm relief.
2. Back Beating
Sit up straight, relax your waist and back, slightly close your eyes, make fists with both hands, and beat the central and sides of the back. Beat each section 3-4 times, starting from the bottom and going up, then from the top and going down, hitting along the spine. First beat the center of the back, and then the left and right sides. This method can promote the flow of qi in the chest, open the meridians in the back, prevent colds, and have the effect of nourishing and nurturing the lungs.
3. Breathing Techniques
Abdominal breathing: Stretch out both arms, expand your chest as much as possible, and then breathe using your abdomen. The purpose of this breathing technique is to increase lung capacity.
Lip contraction breathing: Inhale quickly and fully, and exhale slowly as if blowing a whistle. The goal is to make the air stay in the lungs for a longer time, allowing for more efficient gas exchange. It is beneficial for patients with bronchitis. It is best to practice each of the breathing techniques once in the morning and once in the evening, and the number of repetitions can be adjusted according to one's ability.
The most important aspect of lung nourishment is to practice deep breathing. Therefore, in addition to the basic acupressure methods mentioned above, you can also try stretching out both arms, expanding your chest as much as possible, and then inhaling and exhaling deeply. This can effectively improve the circulation of qi and blood in the lungs and achieve the goal of nourishing and moisturizing the lungs.
