By Rehan Taji

A handy guide to improving your digestion through acupressure.

Unhealthy eating habits and growing addiction to canned and ready-made meals has led to increased incidents of hypertension, obesity, diabetes and cardiac-related health hazards. It has also disrupted our digestive system, triggering problems like indigestion, bloating, constipation, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), acid reflux (heartburn), diarrhea and more.

Traditional Chinese medicine has long understood the worth of good digestion. A 16th century doctor named Yu Jia Yan wrote: “If the stomach is strong, life will be healthy; if the stomach is weak, life will be unhealthy.”

Tied to that, modern medicine has accepted the effectiveness of acupuncture in effectively regulating the digestive system and strengthening its ability to break down food, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste, all of which helps you prevent problems.

HOW TO DO ACUPRESSURE:

Performing acupressure on yourself is very simple:

• Apply pressure on an acupressure point using the tip of your index finger, beginning lightly.

• Use four levels of pressure, gently pressing deeper each time.

• At the deepest level, massage the area in a circular motion for at least 30 seconds.

5 Effective Acupressure Points to improve your Digestion:

Joining Valley:

Known as Large Intestine (LI-4), this point is stimulated to improve overall intestinal heath as well as treat constipation.

Location: In the webbing between the index finger and the thumb.

Pool at the Bend:

This acupoint is named Large Intestine (LI-11) and is called upon to help in relieving diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain.

Location: At the top of the lateral (thumb-side) edge of the elbow crease.

Outer Gate:

Stimulate this acupoint, also called San Jiao (SJ-5), to relief nausea and vomiting.

Location: Three-fingers width above the wrist crease, on the outer side of the hand.

Inner Gate:

This acupoint is known as Pericardium (PC-6). Relieves stomach ache, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and also PMS.

Location: Three-fingers width above the wrist crease, in the middle of the arm on the palm side of the hand.

Leg Three Miles:

This acupoint, Stomach 36 (ST-36), is used to strengthen weak digestion and improve digestive disorders, including constipation to diarrhea, bloating, gas, GERD, vomiting, and nausea.

Location: Slightly bend your leg and place four fingers just below the kneecap. Begin with the index finger at the base of the kneecap. The point is where the little finger rests, on the outside aspect of the hard shinbone. Feel around for the tender spot.