Medical Guidance: Lu Fuhua, Director of Nephrology Department, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dadeli Road Main Campus
When discussing health maintenance for kidney deficiency patients, many immediately think of tonics and dietary therapies. However, simple yet effective exercises and acupressure techniques can also strengthen the kidneys and fortify deficiencies.
Here are two commonly used methods:
Daily 20-Minute Kidney-Strengthening Exercise: Stand naturally with feet shoulder-width apart, arms hanging loosely at sides, palms facing inward. Press the tips of your middle fingers firmly against the Fengshi acupoints (BL57). Lift the crown of your head, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, engage your pelvic floor muscles, and clear your mind of distractions.Relax the entire body. Lower both palms to shoulder height, facing downward. Turn palms forward, then bring hands together in front of the body at a 45-degree angle downward, rubbing palms together 36 times. Next, turn hands behind the back, placing the inner Laogong acupoints on the Shenshih acupoints. Simultaneously rub hands up and down 36 times (one up-and-down motion counts as one repetition).Turn palms outward, form loose fists with fingertips not touching palms, and press outer Laogong points against Shensheng acupoints. Maintain this standing posture for 20 minutes to promote qi and blood circulation throughout the body, strengthen the kidneys, and replenish deficiencies.
Foot Soak and Yongquan Massage: Around 9 PM each night, prepare a basin of hot water. First massage the Yongquan points on both soles until warm, supplemented by massaging the Zusanli and Sanyinjiao points for 1–3 minutes each. Then soak both feet in the hot water for 10 minutes.Traditional Chinese medicine holds that "the kidneys originate at Yongquan, the wellspring at the soles of the feet." This means the energy of the kidney meridian, like spring water, arises from the feet and flows to nourish the entire body. Both Zusanli and Sanyinjiao are vital points for strengthening health. Therefore, massaging these three points effectively nourishes the kidneys and fortifies deficiencies.The recommended time of 9 PM is chosen because this is when the kidney meridian's qi and blood are relatively weak, making foot soaking more beneficial for restoring kidney qi.