These days, our fast-paced lives don’t usually give us enough time to sit down for a leisurely meal. For people who are always on the go, lunch is often a ready-to-eat meal that may not always have enough nutrients.

Along with copious amounts of drinks full of sugar, these meals (which are also often full of preservatives) may contribute to the higher risk for heart diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Unhealthy diets can also contribute to various digestive issues such as constipation, gas, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

To address these digestive issues, an individual can try eating healthier, but a more effective approach would be to try acupressure and reflexology, which “can be used effectively to relieve the painful side effects of an upset digestive system.”

These stomach issues may be caused by different factors, but they often work together. Some of the common causes of digestive issues include bacterial infections and chronic medical conditions. They can also be caused by dehydration, inflammation of the digestive tract, a nutritional deficiency (or excess), stress, or an unhealthy diet. (Related: Detoxify with acupressure: Top 7 pressure points to flush toxins and strengthen the immune system.)

Acupressure originated in China more than 5,000 years ago. This alternative medicine technique is based on the concept that ailments can be treated by harmonizing the unbalanced “qi” (energy) in various regions of the body.

Since the majority of digestive disorders are caused by inflammation of the digestive tract, people experience “decreased digestion and nutrient absorption.” Acupressure can help ease the inflammation in the digestive linings when the balanced flow of energy throughout the body is restored. It can also help make the blood flow more effectively through the body, which is good for overall organ health.

The nine acupressure points

If you ever have indigestion problems, like abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas, stimulate the specific point indicated below:

1. Crooked Pond — Located on top of the crease of your elbow. Stimulate this point to ease diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
2. Grandfather-Grandson — Located on the inner side of the foot and four finger widths away from the big toe. Stimulate this point to unify the flow of energy in the stomach and ease indigestion, nausea, and stomach ache.
3. Great Rushing — Located in the webbing between the big and the second toes. Stimulate this point to boost gallbladder health and relieve abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Inner Gate — Located three fingers width above the crease of the wrist, near the middle of the arm by the palm side of the hand. Stimulate this point to ease anxiety, indigestion, stomach ache, and vomiting.
5. Middle Cavity — Located halfway between the breastbone and the belly button, by the mid-line of the body. Stimulate this point to ease abdominal pain, heartburn, and indigestion.
6. Outer Gate — Located three fingers width above the crease of the wrist, by the outer side of the hand. Stimulate this point if you want to relieve nausea and vomiting.
7. Three Point Mile — Located on the outer edge of the leg, three fingers width below the knee. Stimulate this point to ease pain caused by bloating, gas, enteritis, nausea, and ulcer.
8. Three Yin Crossing — Located three finger widths above the inner ankle bone. Stimulate this point to help ease the discomfort felt with diseases related to the lower abdomen such as abdominal distention, colitis, and flatulence.
9. Union Valley – Located in the webbing between your index finger and thumb. Stimulate this point to boost overall intestinal function. It can also help ease abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

Stretch your whole body properly before you try to stimulate the points above. This will help unblock the blocked meridians and allow the qi flow throughout the body so the session will be more effective.

Now that you know about these acupressure points, try a couple of them instead of taking some antacid when you’re having digestive problems.

You can read more articles about acupressure and reflexology at Healing.news.

Sources include:

ModernReflexology.com

ByTheWayHealth.com