"The Belly Queen" is a term used to refer to obese individuals, and from this term, we can easily see one of the causes of obesity - the accumulation of fat in the abdomen. Especially as people reach middle age, their metabolism slows down and energy expenditure decreases. Therefore, it is easier for people to gain weight, especially in the abdominal area, due to prolonged sitting or lack of sufficient aerobic exercise. This is why there is a saying that "when people reach the age of 45, their belly starts to bulge".
In traditional Chinese medicine, the abdomen is referred to as the "palace of the five zang organs and six fu organs, the origin of yin and yang, qi and blood". Therefore, massaging the abdomen has many benefits for the body. The body's organs are located in the abdominal cavity, and from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are the foundation of the body's acquired constitution. The stomach receives and digests food and is responsible for maintaining normal physiological functions.
In addition, the spleen and stomach are the hub of the body's qi circulation. Only by dispelling turbidity and receiving new energy can the body function properly. Regular abdominal massage can achieve this effect. Furthermore, abdominal massage is beneficial for many middle-aged and elderly people, and has good therapeutic effects on common diseases in this age group. It is particularly suitable for weak middle-aged and elderly people. There are many benefits to abdominal massage, as recorded in traditional Chinese medicine: "Massaging the abdomen can harmonize the upper and lower, balance yin and yang, eliminate old and generate new, nourish the five zang organs, expel external pathogenic factors, and alleviate various internal disorders." This daily massage therapy is suitable for people of all ages.
Modern medical research has shown that regular abdominal massage can prevent and treat various gastrointestinal diseases. The blood flow to the abdominal muscles and intestinal smooth muscles can also be increased by massaging the abdomen. Regular abdominal massage can also increase the tension of the gastric and intestinal walls and enhance lymphatic function, making the secretion of the stomach and intestines more active. This strengthens the digestion, absorption, and excretion of food, which can help improve intestinal peristalsis and promote bowel movements, thus alleviating constipation.
In addition, regular abdominal massage can stimulate the gastric and intestinal mucosa to secrete prostaglandins, preventing excessive gastric acid secretion and preventing the occurrence of peptic ulcers. Massaging the abdomen can promote peristalsis of the stomach and intestines and stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, allowing the nutrients in food to be fully digested and absorbed. This further enhances the function of the internal organs. When the function of the internal organs is improved, the body's excretion will not be disturbed, thereby reducing abdominal fat. In addition, it can also alleviate atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cerebrovascular diseases, and promote good blood circulation, resulting in a calm and peaceful state.
Abdominal massage also has a soothing effect on the nerve endings and can effectively regulate the function of the nervous and emotional systems, keeping people in a pleasant, open-minded, and comfortable mental state. Massaging the abdomen before bed also has a calming and sedative effect, making it easier for people to clear their minds and fall asleep peacefully. Abdominal massage therapy is also a simple and easy way to maintain health and fitness, especially suitable for self-care in the elderly. In rural areas, there is a widely spread method of massaging the abdomen to eliminate middle-aged weight gain. The method is simple, easy to learn and use, and the operation is not limited by time or location. It can be done before bed or after waking up every day. It is recommended to massage for at least 5 minutes each time, and it can be done multiple times a day.
A friendly reminder: Abdominal pain does not necessarily refer to gastrointestinal pain, but people often associate it with gastrointestinal diseases. In fact, there are many causes of abdominal pain, such as myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and epilepsy. For individuals, if the cause of abdominal pain is unknown, it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of diabetes.
