Constipation is not a serious illness, but long-term constipation can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body, causing toxic overload and impairing the function of the organs, especially the liver. Therefore, it is important to learn acupressure massage to prevent constipation!
Causes of Constipation
Constipation is related to our current work and lifestyle.
Prolonged sitting, such as desk work or driving, can slow down the peristalsis of the intestines due to lack of normal movement in the waist and abdomen. This leads to excessive absorption of water from food residues, resulting in hard stools that are difficult to pass.
1. Irregular Lifestyle
Modern people, especially young people, often have irregular eating habits, excessive eating, staying up late, and alternating between hunger and overeating. The stomach and intestines are often not given time to rest when they should, and are overloaded with a large amount of food. Over time, this disrupts their function and leads to constipation.
2. Consumption of Spicy and Hot Foods
Foods that are excessively spicy, such as chili peppers, alcohol, and meat, can consume excessive amounts of water and digestive juices during the digestion process, causing dryness in the intestines and affecting bowel movements.
In addition, emotional issues such as anger, irritability, or excessive mental strain can affect the autonomic nervous system, negatively impacting the secretion of digestive juices and the movement of the digestive tract, which can also cause constipation.
Emergency Acupressure Techniques
Traditional Chinese medicine classifies constipation into various types such as qi deficiency, blood deficiency, excess heat, and yin deficiency. When performing acupressure, we also follow these classifications.
However, in terms of treatment, acupressure is different from taking oral medication. Following the principle of "treating the symptoms first, promoting overall treatment," acupressure can directly stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. By relieving constipation, it helps restore the normal function of the digestive system, creating a favorable internal environment for the next step of nourishing qi, blood, clearing heat, and nourishing yin.
Through regular treatment and with the help of acupressure, the peristalsis and secretion rhythm of the digestive tract can be "rebuilt" and "optimized," thus achieving a "treatment of both symptoms and root causes."
In clinical practice, in addition to acupressure techniques for relieving constipation, specific acupressure points and techniques related to qi, blood, deficiency, and excess are also applied based on individual conditions, timing, and locations.
Acupressure Points to Prevent Constipation
1. Large Intestine Shu Point
Location: This point is located in the lower back, below the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra, about 1.5 inches to the side.
Acupressure Technique: Use the thumb pads of both hands to massage this point. Do not apply too much pressure, and stop when you feel a slight soreness. Massage once in the morning and once in the evening.
2. Stomach 36 Point
Location: Sit on a chair with your calves hanging vertically. Find the depression below the knee, and place four fingers together. The point corresponding to the little finger is the Stomach 36 point.
Acupressure Technique: Use the tip of the middle finger to massage this point. It can help prevent constipation, and it has great benefits for women, as it can tonify qi and blood.
