Acupuncture and massage therapy are familiar to most people. With no side effects and significant therapeutic effects, more and more individuals are choosing these methods for treatment.Regularly massaging the following five commonly used acupoints can yield health benefits comparable to certain medications. Acupoint massage techniques include tonifying methods and dispersing methods. Tonifying involves gentle massage, while dispersing requires stronger stimulation—specifically, applying pressure with the knuckles of bent fingers.
Zusanli (ST36), located four finger-widths below the outer knee eye, is named for its ability to treat conditions in the upper, middle, and lower abdomen. As one of the Nine Needle Points for Restoring Yang, it is a key point for stomach disorders and overall physical fortification. Massaging Zusanli with the tonifying method strengthens the spleen and stomach, replenishes qi, and benefits the middle jiao, mimicking the effects of herbs like codonopsis, atractylodes, Chinese yam, and red dates.When used with dispersing techniques, it aids digestion, relieves food stagnation, harmonizes the stomach, and promotes bowel movement, mimicking the effects of herbs like hawthorn and rhubarb.The liver stores blood, the spleen governs blood, and the kidneys store essence—essence and blood mutually generate each other. Thus, this point is crucial for treating blood-related disorders. When used with tonifying methods, it strengthens the spleen, nourishes blood, and secures blood, similar to the effects of herbs like Angelica sinensis, donkey-hide gelatin, placenta, and coix seed. When used with purging methods, it promotes blood circulation and removes stasis, similar to the effects of herbs like Angelica sinensis root tip, peach kernel, and safflower.
Shenmen (PC6), located in the depression slightly above the ulnar end of the wrist crease, is the source point of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It is likened to the gateway through which vital energy enters and exits. When tonified, it calms the heart and soothes the spirit, replenishing heart qi—similar to the effects of Ziziphus jujuba seed and Biota orientalis seed.When used with dispersing methods, it clears the heart and opens the orifices, similar to the effects of Chinese medicines like Zixuedan, Acorus tatarinowii rhizome, and amber.
Guanyuan, located four finger-widths below the navel, is a point on the Ren Meridian. Situated at the junction where yin and yang primordial qi converge within the body, it is also named for its ability to greatly supplement primordial yang.The Illustrated Supplement to the Classic of Medicine states: "This point is where men store essence and women accumulate blood..." It treats "all deficiencies and hundredfold damage." When tonified, it supplements kidney yang, similar to the effects of herbs like deer antler, cinnamon bark, morinda root, curculigo rhizome, and epimedium. This point is primarily used for deficiency-syndrome diseases, with purgation methods rarely employed.
Qihai, located two finger-widths below the navel, is a point on the Conception Vessel. As the sea of all qi, it profoundly replenishes original qi. When tonified, it greatly fortifies original qi, akin to the effects of herbs like ginseng and astragalus. When drained, it regulates and promotes qi flow, similar to the effects of herbs like cyperus, litchi seed, agarwood, and curcuma.
It is important to note that while these acupoints are frequently used in clinical practice, individuals selecting them for health maintenance typically utilize only one or two of their numerous functions. For disease treatment, consultation with a specialist is necessary. Wishing you well.