Modern women, from the perspective of preconception health, can be roughly divided into three situations in terms of their physical condition. The first is insufficient qi and blood caused by spleen and stomach disharmony, leading to relatively poor digestion and absorption of nutrients. This is mostly due to irregular diet and lifestyle, as well as picky eating habits. The second is liver qi stagnation, which is caused by high work pressure and fast-paced life, resulting in excessive tension and emotional fluctuations, leading to liver qi stagnation and improper drainage. This greatly affects women's normal physiological functions. The third is imbalance of tendons and bones. This is mainly due to long hours of sedentary work and lack of regular exercise, resulting in severe muscle spasm and strain around the pelvis in modern women, and even pelvic deformities. Such tendon and bone injuries can affect the internal organs of the pelvis, causing abnormal physiological activities of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and so on. Massage can play a excellent role in preconception health. So, what unique effects does massage have in achieving preconception regulation?
Nourishing the Earth and Nourishing the Blood From conception to pregnancy, the uterus needs to be filled with sufficient qi and blood, which is the material foundation. The spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood transformation, as well as the foundation of acquired constitution. Abdominal massage has a good effect in invigorating the spleen and stomach, promoting digestion and absorption, and can promote the intake and appropriate storage of nutrients for women preparing for pregnancy, providing a "fertile soil" for the healthy growth of the fetus.
Regulating the Wood and Promoting Qi Circulation Traditional Chinese medicine has the saying that "the liver is the foundation of women". The liver's function of promoting drainage, together with the kidneys, is an important guarantee for conception and pregnancy. Abdominal massage has a significant effect on regulating qi and soothing the liver. It has a direct regulatory effect on the smooth rhythm of qi movement, which is closely related to the smooth circulation of blood. When qi and blood are in harmony, it is like "a sunny day with a gentle breeze and abundant water source".
Adjusting the Shape and Correcting the Bones Conception and pregnancy occur in the uterus, lasting for ten months. The uterus is located in the pelvis, and the normal shape of the pelvis, moderate internal pressure, and coordinated movement are external guarantees for pregnancy and childbirth. One special skill of massage that is incomparable to other therapies is bone correction and tendon relaxation. The "Inner Canon" describes the characteristics of the shape and position of the uterus, realizing that maintaining its inherent "forward tilt position" is one of the key factors in improving the chances of conception. Many women today have difficulty conceiving, which is related to long hours of sitting, improper pelvic alignment, and excessive intra-abdominal pressure. This also leads to a high incidence of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and menstrual disorders. Based on the TCM holistic view of "the liver, kidney, tendons, and bones are interconnected", massage not only focuses on regulating the liver, spleen, and kidneys, but also fully utilizes its unique effects in tendon relaxation, muscle release, bone correction, and reducing intra-abdominal pressure, providing a more comprehensive method for preconception preparation and regulation.
Based on the above basic principles, abdominal massage has become a popular preconception regulation technique. Its main methods include:
Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach: Main techniques include rubbing, kneading, and lifting the abdominal muscles, as well as acupressure on points such as Zhongwan, Tian Shu, and Zu San Li, to invigorate the spleen and nourish the earth.
Regulating the Liver and Promoting Qi Circulation: Main techniques include pushing the rib cage, lifting the rib cage, tapping the abdominal muscles, and rubbing the chest and sides. Acupressure on points such as Tai Chong and San Yin Jiao can help regulate the smooth flow of qi.
Relaxing Tendons and Correcting Bones: Using unique massage techniques such as kneading and tapping on the muscles around the pelvis, such as the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, and sacrococcygeal ligament, to relax stiff soft tissues and reduce intra-pelvic pressure. At the same time, based on palpation results, using massage techniques such as pushing, twisting, and traction to correct joint misalignments in the lumbar sacral and sacroiliac regions, restoring pelvic mechanical balance.
Preconception regulation for women is primarily about providing a good environment for conception and increasing the chances of conception. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide sufficient material and environmental guarantees for the "lengthy" process of pregnancy. Massage has advantages in these aspects and is a good choice.
