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Ever felt pain and trouble while pooping in the toilet due to constipation? Acupressure points for gas and constipation can be quite helpful. Constipation is a common condition that affects many people worldwide. It occurs when there are at most three bowel movements a week. The most common causes of constipation are dehydration, lack of fibre in the diet, a sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, etc.
Now, where most people usually seek relief from constipation by taking medicines, some often resort to other treatment modalities. This is because some patients wish to avoid the side effects of medicines. Besides, certain medicines like laxatives are also habit-forming. One of the most common treatment modalities that people rely on for constipation is acupressure.
This article will highlight everything you need about acupressure points for gas and constipation. Keep reading to find out!
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Acupressure is an ancient Chinese massage therapy where manual pressure using palms, fingers, feet, or elbows is applied to specific body points (meridians). Here are some key characteristics of acupressure:
Acupressure is an alternative treatment option widely used in the modern holistic health culture. It is an excellent option for relieving constipation and its symptoms like gas, bloating, and pain in the abdomen.
Although you can do acupressure on yourself, it is still advised to get it done by a trained therapist is the best option for getting acupressure therapy done.
Acupressure for relieving constipation is done by massaging and stimulating the following acupressure points for gas and constipation:
1. Large Intestine (LI4)
To use these acupressure points for constipation, follow the steps mentioned below:
2. Stomach (ST25)
The stomach, also called Tianshu, is another acupressure point for constipation that is highly beneficial. This point is situated on either side of the belly button. It works well in treating abdominal pain and constipation and improving digestion.
Follow the below-mentioned steps to use these acupressure points for constipation:
3. Spleen (SP15)
The spleen helps in the regulation of the intestine and causes stimulation of the peristalsis movement. Spleen 15 makes for a good acupressure point for constipation and piles relief.
4. Kidney (KI6)
The kidney is an acupressure point for constipation that can be found below the inner region of the ankle bone. This acupressure point for constipation works by inducing bowel movements to relieve constipation.
Follow the steps below to get relief by using the kidney (KI6) acupressure points for constipation:
5. Stomach (ST36)
The stomach or Zusanli, is a powerful acupressure point in the body. This acupressure point for constipation can be found below the knee caps at a distance of around 3 inches and around one finger towards the outer edge. It is a strong point for treating digestive problems like constipation, gas, diarrhoea, bloating, and pain in the abdomen.
To use this acupressure point for constipation, follow the steps given below:
6. Spleen (SP6)
Spleen 6 is also known as Sanyinjiao. This acupressure point for constipation is found above the top region of the inside of the ankle at 3 widths. This acupressure point is excellent for treating constipation, bloating, indigestion, and gas.
Follow the steps below to use the Spleen 6 (SP6) acupressure points for constipation:
7. Conception vessel (CV6)
Also known as Qihai, Ren, or Sea of Qi, it is an acupressure point for constipation situated at the umbilicus, below the belly button, at a distance of around three finger widths. This acupressure point helps relieve constipation, gas, indigestion, and bloating.
To use this acupressure point for constipation, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Although acupressure points for constipation and gas are safe to use, it is best to get it done by the hands of a professional. One must be careful in exceptional cases like pregnancy. This is because specific acupressure points for constipation in pregnancy, like Spleen (SP6) or Large Intestine (LI4), can induce labour.
Hence, pregnant women experiencing constipation are advised to take necessary precautions while performing acupressure for constipation. It is recommended to get it done by a massage therapist possibly. Patients with a pacemaker avoid acupressure, people having heart, liver, and kidney conditions, or skin injury.
Although acupressure for constipation relief is widely used, it takes some time to produce relief. Hence, it is essential to see a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
Along with acupressure, there are other things as well that you can try to get quick relief from constipation and manage better. These tips include:
There are certain risks of acupressure points for gas and constipation that needs to be kept in mind while performing acupressure. These include the following:
Where there are risks of acupressure for constipation, there are specific reasons why it is effective and widely used. These include:
Constipation can happen to anyone and causes a lot of discomfort and irritation. In most instances, addressing the cause of constipation, like dehydration, lack of fibre, and physical inactivity, can help relieve constipation. However, if you do not want to take medicines, acupressure for constipation is a great option.
Acupressure points for constipation include the large Intestine (LI4), conception vessel (CV6), spleen (SP6), kidney (KI6), stomach (SP36), stomach (ST25) and Spleen (SP15).
You can perform acupressure on your own or seek professional help. We at HexaHealth, with our team of highly skilled members, provide excellent services for patients having constipation. Our team believes in giving their best services to all our patients. At HexaHealth, you will get the best treatment for all your ailments.
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Pressure points like the large Intestine (LI4), conception vessel (CV6), spleen 6 (SP6), kidney (KI6), stomach (ST36), stomach (ST25), and Spleen (SP15) can help relieve constipation.
You can press the conception vessel (CV6), spleen (SP6), or stomach (ST36) points if you are experiencing gas and want to relieve it.
You can stimulate a bowel movement quickly with acupressure by applying pressure to the acupressure points for constipation like conception vessel (CV6), spleen (SP6), kidney (KI6), stomach (ST36), stomach (ST25) and Spleen (SP15). You can also try simple home remedies like drinking more water, eating fibre-rich foods, and exercising regularly to stimulate quick bowel movements.
You can push on the kidney (KI6) acupressure point for constipation to stimulate a bowel movement. The kidney (KI6) point can be found beneath the inner ankle bone of the feet. Pressure is to be applied to this point in a circular motion to get relief from constipation.
You can empty your bowel by using the following tips:
You can permanently eliminate constipation by addressing its cause and treating it. Additionally, making healthy lifestyle changes like stress management, exercising regularly, hydrating correctly, and eating healthily by including more fibre-rich foods can also help eliminate constipation.
Constipation can be effectively managed through acupressure by adding pressure to the acupressure points and following a healthy lifestyle.
While constipated, you should sit in a position where the knees are higher when compared to the hips while leaning forward, bulging your stomach, and placing elbows on the knees.
Pressure points lie on the meridians in the body and work by restoring Qi, or energy flows through these body channels, known as meridians, thereby providing balance and relief in ailments like pain, constipation, gas, etc.
The potential downsides of acupressure include the following
No acupressure alone cannot work for curing constipation. Healthy lifestyle modifications will also be required, along with acupressure to cure constipation.
Many people prefer acupressure for constipation in the evening as it helps relax, relieves stress, and is closer to bedtime. If you are getting acupressure done by a massage therapist, they’ll choose the best time for you to benefit the most from the treatment.
Last Updated on: 9 September 2023
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
12 Years Experience
Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
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