How To Treat Acid Reflux With Acupressure?

Acupressure is a manual therapeutic method with a history spanning more than 5,000 years that originated in traditional Chinese medicine.

It entails manually stimulating and rubbing energy points (meridians), commonly known as acupressure sites. There are many advantages since it is then possible to restore the body's energy balance, relieve pain, and lessen nervous strain.

All of this, unlike acupuncture, without the use of needles! Learn which acupressure point to stimulate for acid reflux in this article to get both short- and long-term relief.

Causes and symptoms of acid reflux

Epigastric discomfort and burning are the typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, especially after a substantial meal or before bed.

These symptoms may also be accompanied with:

• Sore throat.
• Foul breath.
• A bitter taste in the mouth.
• Dental issues.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction frequently results in gastric reflux, which permits acid to flow back up into the stomach. There are some risk factors that exacerbate GERD symptoms, including:

• Foods such as coffee, chocolate, alcohol or mint.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.

Chinese medecine to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease

Why would one acupressure a stomach reflux point? The primary organ of the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is the stomach; consequently, GERD is brought on by the Qi (vital energy) rising rather than declining. If the spleen exhibits signs of deterioration, it is also frequently affected.

Chinese medicine links diet, emotions, and stress to digestive issues. It is a complicated condition, but fortunately, by massaging the acupressure meridians the energy points through which the body's Qi flows it can be alleviated (or even cured).

You will experience immediate relief thanks to self-massages that last few minutes and can be done in the convenience of your own home.

Acupressure point and acid reflux: which areas to massage?

Here are the meridians you can massage each day for 2 to 3 minutes on each side of the body to greatly reduce your symptoms with an acupressure point for acid reflux:

• VC12: this point is located in the middle between the tip of the breastbone and the navel. Massage this point with consistent pressure to unblock the energy.
• Spleen 4: this meridian is located in a small depression on the line between the inner malleolus and the big toe, it harmonizes the energy of the stomach.
• 36 Stomach: acupressure point located in a small depression one handbreadth below the kneecap (on the outer edge of the shin), it relieves stomach pains.

Another option is to softly but deeply massage the stomach over the entire region under the left hypochondrium. However, exercise caution because this area of the body is typically sensitive in cases of heartburn.

Other acupressure points for better stomach health

To relieve bloating

Uncomfortable bloating can also result from digestive discomfort throughout the day, sometimes as soon as you wake up!

Simple sessions you may perform yourself at home will help evacuate gas and get rid of bloating by stimulating the relevant meridians with small gestures.

You can deflate your abdomen to improve your level of comfort by massaging an acupressure point for acid reflux on the places described below:

• On the wrist: essential traditional Chinese acupressure points that can work on tension, neck pain, dizziness and nausea.
• Under the knee: apply pressure under the knee to relieve digestive disorders and abdominal pain.
• Under the collarbone: meridian indicated for the release of tension and overall well-being.

To relieve stomach pain

The acupressure point for gastric reflux can help with ulcers, nausea, stomach pain, and abdominal pain in the morning or after lunch. The master meridian of the abdomen and a crucial stomach point is this one.

Three finger widths away from the point of the knee cap, it is situated on the outside of the leg (on the outside of your shinbone).

Therefore, you must find the location where your foot flexes. Because this location is inside a muscle, you must exert extremely intense pressure in two different ways:

• You are sitting with your legs bent, feet flat on the floor, and you roll a ping pong ball on each point (on both legs) pressing as hard as possible.
• You are sitting with your legs stretched out, and you apply vertical pressure using your body weight, which is more relaxing.

To unblock the liver

If you have liver-related issues (especially as a result of eating an excessively large and/or rich diet), the big crossroads of Qi are frequently obstructed in terms of vital energy.

As a result, the liver may do its cleansing task and lessen the consequences of intoxication by using this acupressure point for acid reflux. It is a meridian that also eases stomach pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

You can massage this area in a number of ways (always keeping your shoulders and neck relaxed), and it is situated on the back of the foot between the first and second metatarsals.

• Lean forward while seated in a chair so you can reach the tip with the pad of your index or middle finger. After that, firmly push the point without moving. Starting with 10 seconds, progressively raise the pressure to 1 minute. Don't forget to breathe deeply.
• Bring your foot up close to you while sitting on the floor (or on a cushion), then place it between two fingers. For two to three minutes, massage the area in circular motions.

To reduce heartburn

Our final acupressure point for acid reflux is the solar plexus, which is situated midway between the sternum and the navel. Heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal pain can be relieved by rubbing this meridian while exhaling.

You can also activate the Yuan Qi, an acupressure point 2 fingers below the navel, to treat digestive issues.

Some tips to unblock the energy of the stomach

Dietary advice

Stomach issues can be avoided and treated using acupressure. However, there is a list of meals to be avoided or, on the other hand, to be consumed frequently for a greater level of well-being in daily life in order to minimize the inconveniences:

• What to eliminate: strong alcohol, chili peppers, pepper, ginger, coffee and orange juice on an empty stomach in the morning.
• What to limit: fatty foods, cold cuts, fried foods, red meat and white wine.
• What to choose: eggplant, banana, carrot, cabbage, pumpkin, fennel, fig, spinach, mung bean, lychee, honey, mandarin, melon, millet, barley, leek, pear, apple, potato, licorice, green tea.
• Another tip: your stomach needs to be calm to digest properly. Even if you choose the best foods, a noisy, unpleasant or tense atmosphere can block your digestion. Instead, try to eat in a calm, relaxed manner and at regular times.

Stretching the Spleen and Stomach meridians

Stretching provides the stomach with energy, which is another acupressure point for acid reflux complementary technique. Put your hands back, sit with your feet under your buttocks, and lean your head back so that it is parallel to your chest.

The exercise is then performed on the exhale: lift your pelvis till your body forms a little arc. Your head stays firmly in the curve's path, well rearward. Where the stomach and spleen meridians cross, on the front of the thighs and on the chest, should feel the strain.

When you inhale, gently let go without going back to your starting posture right away. On the subsequent exhale, repeat the same motion five to six more times.

Relaxation

Finally, a little breathing and relaxation practice will help to relieve your stomach issues. Straighten your shoulders, keep your back straight, and sit on a chair. Just below your belly button, stack your hands on top of one another.

As you inhale, press your hands apart to expand your belly. To draw in your lower abdomen, move your belly button back toward your spine as you exhale.

Keep your focus on the action of your hands on your tummy while you take 30 full breaths. Simply concentrating on your breathing will help you return to the present moment if your mind is seeking to escape.

This will enable you to slow down your mind as well as bring the energy down into your belly.

To summarize

You may finally put an end to digestive tension, heartburn, and bloating thanks to acupressure!

You can start to see the first observable improvements and advantages by putting the advice in this article to use while activating these few acupressure points.