Gastric prolapse is the most common disease of visceral prolapse. The normal stomach is shaped like a cow's horn and is located in the upper abdomen. If the stomach changes from a cow's horn shape to a fishhook shape and hangs down towards the lower abdomen, symptoms such as decreased appetite and postprandial abdominal distension occur, indicating gastric prolapse. So how should gastric prolapse be treated, and what are the diagrams of cupping positions for gastric prolapse?
Diagram of Cupping Positions for Gastric Prolapse
Baihui Point
1. Location of Baihui Point:
Baihui Point is located on the head, 5 inches directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline or the midpoint of a line connecting the tips of both ears. It belongs to the Governor Vessel of the human body.
2. Method of locating Baihui Point:
Baihui Point is located on the head, 5 inches directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. It can also be located at the midpoint of a line connecting the tips of both ears. It should be taken while sitting upright.
3. Functions of Baihui Point:
It raises yang and lifts sinking, strengthens qi and stabilizes prolapse. Baihui Point has the functions of extinguishing wind and awakening the brain, raising yang and stabilizing prolapse, awakening consciousness, reviving from fainting, calming liver and extinguishing wind, and raising yang and stabilizing prolapse.
Dazhui Point
1. Location of Dazhui Point:
Dazhui Point is located in the spinal area, on the midline of the back, in the depression just below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. It can be taken in a bent over or prone position.
2. Method of locating Dazhui Point:
When locating the point, the patient should sit upright and lower their head. Dazhui Point is located on the midline of the back, below the cervical region, in the depression just below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, approximately level with the two shoulder peaks (or it can be located by sitting upright, pressing the highest point of the neck with the hand, which is the same level as the shoulders). If the bony prominence is not very evident, ask the patient to move their neck, and the immobile joint is the first thoracic vertebra, approximately level with the shoulders.
3. Functions of Dazhui Point:
It strengthens qi and invigorates yang. Dazhui Point has the functions of releasing the exterior and promoting yang, nourishing deficiency and calming the spirit, clearing heat and releasing the exterior, and stopping convulsions.
Spleen Yu Point
1. Location of Spleen Yu Point:
Spleen Yu Point is located on the back, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, 1.5 inches from the midline of the back.
2. Method of locating Spleen Yu Point:
The patient should adopt a prone position when locating the point. Spleen Yu Point is located on the back, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, 1.5 inches (two finger-widths) from the midline.
3. Functions of Spleen Yu Point:
It strengthens the spleen, transforms dampness, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and eliminates dampness and elevates clarity.
Stomach Yu Point
1. Location of Stomach Yu Point:
Stomach Yu Point is located on the back, below the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 inches from the midline. It is the back Yu Point of the stomach.
2. Method of locating Stomach Yu Point:
The patient should adopt a prone position to facilitate the treatment of the corresponding acupoints. Stomach Yu Point is located on the back, below the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 inches (approximately two finger-widths) from the midline.
3. Functions of Stomach Yu Point:
It harmonizes the stomach, regulates the middle, eliminates dampness, strengthens the spleen, and regulates the middle and lowers counterflow.
Zhongwan Point
1. Location of Zhongwan Point:
Zhongwan Point is located in the upper abdomen, on the midline of the anterior abdomen, 4 inches above the center of the umbilicus. It is one of the main points of the Ren Mai meridian in the human body.
2. Method of locating Zhongwan Point:
The patient can adopt a supine position. Zhongwan Point is located in the upper abdomen, on the midline of the anterior abdomen, 4 inches above the center of the umbilicus. To locate it precisely, find the midpoint between the lower end of the sternum and the line connecting the navel.
3. Functions of Zhongwan Point:
It gathers and transports fluids in the lower part of the body. Zhongwan Point has the functions of regulating qi and harmonizing the stomach, transforming dampness and lowering counterflow, strengthening the spleen, and lowering counterflow and promoting urination.
Qihai Point
1. Location of Qihai Point:
Qihai Point is located in the lower abdomen, on the midline of the anterior abdomen, 1.5 inches below the center of the umbilicus. It is one of the main points of the Ren Mai meridian in the human body.
2. Method of locating Qihai Point:
The patient can adopt a supine position. Qihai Point is located in the lower abdomen, on the midline of the anterior abdomen, 1.5 inches below the center of the umbilicus. To locate it precisely, find the midpoint between the lower end of the sternum and the line connecting the navel.
3. Functions of Qihai Point:
It gathers and transports fluids in the lower part of the body. Qihai Point has the functions of regulating qi and harmonizing the stomach, transforming dampness and lowering counterflow, strengthening the spleen, and lowering counterflow and promoting urination.
Treatment of Gastric Prolapse with Cupping
First, use moxibustion on Baihui Point for 5 minutes, and then use cupping to draw and suction on Baihui Point using the air suction method. Then use simple cupping to draw and suction on the other acupoints, leaving the cups in place for 15 minutes, once every other day. Alternatively, the acupuncture cupping method can be used, with the triangular needle puncturing the above acupoints, followed by using the flash fire method to draw and suction the cups on the punctured acupoints, leaving the cups in place for 5-10 minutes, once every other day.
Symptoms of Gastric Prolapse
Gastric prolapse is when the stomach descends below the physiological lowest line, often caused by long-term dietary imbalances or excessive fatigue, resulting in the descent of the middle qi and abnormal ascending and descending movements. Patients may experience abdominal distension (which worsens after eating and improves when lying flat), nausea, belching, stomach pain (without periodicity or rhythmicity, with significant changes in the nature and degree of pain), occasional constipation, diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Those who suffer from this disease are often of a lean and tall body type and may be accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, general weakness, postprandial distension, poor appetite, belching, nausea, dizziness, and palpitations.
Lifestyle Care for Gastric Prolapse
1. Avoid overeating. Choose foods that are nutritious, easy to digest, but small in volume. High-energy, high-protein, and high-fat foods should be consumed more than vegetables and fruits to increase the accumulation of abdominal fat and lift the stomach. Reduce the amount of food but increase the number of meals to reduce the burden on the stomach.
2. Avoid prolonged standing and vigorous jumping.
3. When lying down, the head should be lower than the feet. You can place two bricks under the foot of the bed.
4. Sexual activity is a greater burden for those with weak constitution and should be reduced as much as possible.
