5 ACUPRESSURE POINTS
FOR BETTER
GUT MOVEMENT

Gas, bloating, and other unpleasant digestive symptoms are something that everyone has to deal with from time to time. Putting pressure on certain areas of your body to heal ailments elsewhere is called “Acupressure,” which stems from traditional Chinese medicine. 

Traditional Chinese medicine has long understood the importance of good digestion. Thus, good gut health is the source of your body’s energy, immunity, and vitality, and is the key to a long life.

There are thousands of lifelines within the human body, and all the internal organs are interconnected. When any point along this line is blocked, life force becomes stagnant and out of balance, so acupressure is an effective massage therapy to help relieve muscle tension, promote relaxation, stimulate blood flow, and balance the body. 

Here are 5 easy acupressure points where it is safe for you to give yourself a massage from anywhere to make your gut feel better.

1.He gu

How to: Apply gentle pressure and massage on the hand valley point which is located in the firm skin between the thumb and index finger on the back of your hand. While applying pressure, rotate your thumb in a clockwise motion. Perform this on both sides for 2-3 minutes (100-200 laps).

*Note: It is normal to experience a slight ache when pressing firmly on the acupressure points, but avoid applying so much force that it hurts.

Gut benefits:

– Relieving constipation and preventing dementia

Other benefits:

– Increasing blood circulation 

– Relieving toothache and certain types of jaw pain

– Reducing headache symptoms and calming anxiety

2.Zu san li

How to: Sit comfortably and press on the outer side of the point below your kneecap (the point is between the tips of your fourth and fifth fingers). Slowly and deeply massage in a clockwise direction with firm pressure for 2-3 minutes (100-200 laps) and repeat on both sides.

*Note: You may feel a stimulating effect, so you may not want to massage this point right before you go to sleep.

Gut benefits:

-Improving/strengthening digestion

Other benefits:

-Alleviating acute and chronic ailments, such as flu, hypertension and cardiovascular issues

-Healing disease of the gastrointestinal tra

3.Qi hai

How to: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your thumb on the point located at the stomach, proximal 2 finger widths below your navel. Massage this point in a small clockwise circle for 2-3 minutes (100-200 laps). Maintain this pressure as you rotate your finger around the point.

*Note: It should not be performed immediately after eating. It can be performed 30 minutes after a meal, but it is best to avoid massaging menstruating women.

Gut benefits:

-Relieving and preventing constipation

-Healing disease of the gastrointestinal tract

-Improving/strengthening digestion

Other benefits

-Improving sleeping and immunity

4.Tian shu

How to: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, place your thumb on the point located at your stomach, proximal 2-3 fingers laterally of your navel, and massage a small clockwise circle for 2-3 minutes (100-200 laps). Maintain this pressure as you rotate your finger around the point.

*Note: It should not be performed immediately after eating. It can be performed 30 minutes after a meal, but it is best to avoid massaging menstruating women.

Gut benefits:

-Relieving and preventing constipation

-Healing disease of the gastrointestinal tract

-Improving/strengthening digestion

5.Zhong wan

How to: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, place your thumb on the point located at your stomach, proximal 4 fingerbreadths above your navel, and massage a small clockwise circle for 2-3 minutes (100-200 laps). Maintain this pressure as you rotate your finger around the point.

*Note: It should not be performed immediately after eating. It can be performed 30 minutes after a meal, but it is best to avoid massaging menstruating women.

Gut benefits:

-Relieving and preventing constipation

-Healing disease of the gastrointestinal tract

-Improving/strengthening digestion