Sometimes, eating too much or eating a variety of foods can easily lead to bloating. Scraping therapy is a commonly used method in traditional Chinese medicine. It is simple, convenient, and safe. Can scraping therapy be used for bloating? How is it done?
Does scraping therapy work for bloating?
Scraping therapy can be used for bloating.
By stimulating specific meridians and acupoints, scraping therapy can produce a pain effect, causing the peripheral nerves or receptors of the human body to produce effects. Through the transmission of nerve fluid regulation, it sends signals to the central nervous system, which, through the analysis and synthesis of the central nervous system, exerts a coordinated effect on various functions of the body and achieves a new balance. People with bloating can enhance gastrointestinal function and relieve discomfort symptoms through scraping therapy.
Methods of scraping therapy for bloating
Method 1:
Acupoints:
Tian Shu, Zu San Li, Shang Ju Xu (both sides).
Treatment:
Using the tonifying method of scraping therapy, first scrape Tian Shu, then scrape Zu San Li and Shang Ju Xu until the skin becomes slightly reddened and congested. Once a day, stop when the symptoms improve.
Main indications:
Postoperative abdominal distension. It has been used effectively many times. When performing acupuncture on Tian Shu acupoint, avoid the surgical incision and move it 0.5 inches to the left or right.
Method 2:
Acupoints:
On both sides of the spine, from thoracic vertebra 8 to sacral vertebra and their sides, the side of the navel, lower abdomen, and below the knee.
Treatment:
Using the scraping therapy method. First, gently scrape three lines on both sides of the spine (from the first thoracic vertebra to the fourth sacral vertebra), until it turns slightly red, then focus on scraping thoracic vertebra 8 to 12 and sacral vertebra and their sides with a gentle draining method for a total of 5 lines until sha marks appear, and then scrape the side of the navel, lower abdomen, and below the knee. Once a day.
Main indications:
Abdominal distension or accompanied by abdominal pain. It has been used effectively in clinical practice. If combined with navel application, the effect will be better. For detailed herbal medicine, please refer to "Chinese Medicine Navel Therapy".
Method 3:
Acupoints:
Divided into 2 groups: Group 1 includes Zu San Li and Liang Qiu; Group 2 includes Shang Ju Xu and San Yin Jiao.
Treatment:
Using scraping therapy. Choose either group alternately. Scrape until sha marks appear. Once a day.
Main indications:
Abdominal distension. It has been used effectively many times.
Precautions for scraping therapy
Precautions before scraping therapy
1. Scraping therapy requires exposed skin, and when scraping, the skin's sweat pores are open. If exposed to wind and cold, evil qi can directly enter through the opened pores, affecting the efficacy of scraping therapy and easily causing new diseases. Therefore, before scraping therapy, choose a good treatment place with fresh and ventilated air, pay attention to keeping warm, avoid wind, and do not perform scraping therapy in places with drafts during the summer. Try to expose as little skin as possible.
2. Choose a comfortable position for scraping therapy to facilitate scraping and prevent dizziness from scraping.
3. Strictly disinfect scraping tools to prevent cross-infection. Before scraping, carefully inspect the scraping tools to avoid scraping injuries to the skin.
4. The hands of the practitioner should also be disinfected.
5. Before scraping, explain the general knowledge of scraping therapy to the patient to eliminate their fear and gain their cooperation to avoid dizziness from scraping.
6. Do not perform scraping therapy on patients who are excessively hungry, full, or excessively nervous.
Precautions during scraping therapy
1. The scraping technique should be applied evenly and with a moderate force, depending on the patient's tolerance, until sha marks appear.
2. For infants, young children, and the elderly, the scraping technique should be applied gently.
3. Do not blindly pursue the appearance of sha marks by using excessive force or prolonging the scraping time. The appearance of sha marks is influenced by various factors. Generally, blood stasis syndrome produces more sha marks; excess syndrome and heat syndrome produce more sha marks; deficiency syndrome and cold syndrome produce fewer sha marks; excessive medication, especially the use of hormonal drugs, makes it difficult to produce sha marks; obese and muscular individuals are less likely to produce sha marks; yin channels produce fewer sha marks than yang channels; sha marks are less likely to appear in a low room temperature.
4. During the scraping process, frequently inquire about the patient's feelings. If dizziness occurs, such as fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, nausea, cold sweats, palpitations, cold limbs, blood pressure drop, or loss of consciousness, immediately stop scraping therapy. Comfort the patient and help them lie down, keep them warm, and provide warm water or sugar water to drink. If the symptoms do not improve, lightly press the water groove point on the corner of the scraping board to avoid swelling after heavy pressing. Apply draining scraping therapy to the Baihui acupoint and Yongquan acupoint. After the patient's condition improves, continue scraping therapy on the Neiguan acupoint and Zu San Li acupoint.
Precautions after scraping therapy
1. Scraping therapy opens the sweat pores and expels evil qi, which consumes part of the body's fluid. Therefore, after scraping therapy, drink a glass of warm water and rest for a while.
2. After scraping therapy, in order to prevent wind and cold from invading, the skin pores should be closed and restored to their original state before taking a bath. Generally, it takes about 3 hours.
3. For some patients with complex and critical conditions, in addition to scraping therapy, other treatments should be combined under the guidance of a physician, such as medication, to avoid worsening the condition.
Does drinking ginger soup help with bloating?
Drinking ginger soup can help with bloating caused by indigestion and weak stomach, but it is not recommended for bloating caused by gastroenteritis.
Ginger has a pungent taste and warm nature. It enters the stomach meridian. Drinking ginger soup has a mild stimulating effect on the digestive tract, which can increase intestinal tension, rhythm, and peristalsis, relieving bloating and stomach pain caused by indigestion.
How to treat bloating and stomach distension?
Method 1: Abdominal massage
Bloating and stomach distension can be relieved by applying hot compresses to the abdomen or rubbing with essential oils. Then, rub the palms of the hands together to generate heat, and massage in a clockwise direction for 2 minutes, and then in a counterclockwise direction for 2 minutes. Repeat this process 2-3 times to help promote intestinal movement, relieve bloating, and stomach distension.
Method 2: Drink water to aid digestion
When experiencing bloating and stomach distension, drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water can help promote intestinal digestion and bowel movements, thus achieving the effect of releasing gas and relieving bloating and stomach distension. In addition, it is recommended to drink enough water daily, with a daily intake of about 2000 milliliters to meet the body's needs and prevent bloating and stomach distension.
Method 3: Medication treatment
1. Excessive stomach acid (mainly accompanied by symptoms such as hiccup and heartburn) causing bloating can be controlled with non-prescription drugs such as Stada Shu and Gastropulgite after consulting a pharmacist.
2. If the passage of gas is blocked, such as severe bloating caused by constipation, you can use rectal suppositories and other laxatives under the guidance of a doctor. Generally, when the constipation is relieved, the bloating will also disappear. For mild cases, you can drink tea made from cassia seed and honeysuckle.
3. Digestive disorders caused by overeating can be alleviated by taking Jiangu Xiaoshi tablets under the guidance of a doctor.
4. For certain gastrointestinal diseases, it is necessary to receive targeted treatment after identifying the cause.
Method 4: Adjusting diet
1. When experiencing bloating and stomach distension, try to avoid consuming gas-producing foods, especially carbonated drinks, beer, coffee, fried foods, chocolate, beans, sweet potatoes, and other foods.
2. Eat more foods that promote the release of gas, such as radishes, hawthorns, kumquats, celery, and winter melon.
Method 5: Exercise to relieve bloating
When experiencing bloating and stomach distension, lying down or sitting should be avoided, as it will only cause gas accumulation and hinder effective gas elimination. It is recommended to engage in light exercises such as walking or doing household chores, which are conducive to digestion and relieve bloating and stomach distension.
Method 6: Seek medical attention for severe cases
If the above methods are not effective in relieving bloating and stomach distension, and it lasts for more than 5 days, accompanied by abdominal pain, bloody stools, etc., it is advisable to go to the gastroenterology department of the hospital for consultation and timely investigation to prevent aggravation and delay in the condition. If other symptoms such as belching and vomiting occur, it is recommended to go to the digestive department for examination to determine if there are organic lesions.
