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Treatment of constipation: acupressure
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Chinese acupressure can help relieve constipation in men and women of all ages, according to its adherents. According to the U.S. National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse, constipation is rarely dangerous, but if left untreated, it can lead to complications. These include hemorrhoids, anal fissures or anal discharge, anal prolapse — the lining of the intestines that protrudes through the anus — and fecal retention in the colon. Acupressure points in your body that you can stimulate yourself can help regulate your bowels and relieve constipation.
What is acupressure?
This massage is performed using the same method as acupuncture, but the skin is not damaged or punctured.
Acupressure is a system of 365 pressure points (more than 700) along the body’s 12 energy meridians used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupressure is called TCM. TCM proponents believe that stimulating these points, using finger pressure or acupuncture needles, can restore balance to the health of the entire body. Several points are traditionally stimulated to relieve constipation. Consult your health care professional before beginning this new routine – and you’re good to go.
How does this work
Eastern medicine practitioners can balance the flow of energy by pressing the appropriate points. They look to the liver and the concept of meridian placement to help with constipation. While Chinese acupressure helps with constipation, Western practitioners refer to it as improving the entire digestive system.
Working on these points can help you get quick results. You don’t have to use all 700 points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have free time can be effective in treating constipation.
Applying finger pressure to specific points can stimulate a natural energy balance to relieve common digestive problems, says Michael Reed Gach, author of "Powerful Acupressure Points."
Constipation
The Yang Guixue point is located in the space between your thumb and index finger. Pressing it can stimulate peristalsis, or intestinal contractions. You can hold this point for two minutes to stimulate your gastrointestinal tract or to relieve tension or insomnia. Avoid this point if you are pregnant, as it can cause straining.
Constipation and hemorrhoids
This point is located on both elbows, at the end of the crease that is formed when the arm is bent so that it is perpendicular to the ground. This point should be stimulated with circular movements of the thumb and index finger, which have been found to be the most effective in stimulating this point. However, it can also be stimulated with all fingers or gentle pressure. Stimulation is approximately 20 to 30 seconds 3 to 4 times, twice a day, to get the most benefit from this procedure.
Stimulating this point helps the stomach function, triggering the mechanism necessary for effective digestion and waste removal. At the same time, constipation is immediately relieved and hemorrhoid symptoms are alleviated.
Pregnant women should seek alternative treatments to treat constipation, as applying acupressure to certain points may cause uterine contractions to be untimely and may cause harm to the fetus.
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Diarrhea
To find the diarrhea relief point, move your fingers about an inch below your belly button. Applying pressure here is thought to set the tone for the digestive organs and abdominal muscles, causing them to work in a balanced manner to relieve the cramps associated with diarrhea. Stimulating this point, however, is different from the other points. This point should be stimulated using the index, middle and ring fingers. The pressure should be maintained for 30 seconds.
Pressure can be applied either through constant pressure or in a circular motion with light pressure on the point. Stimulating this point has a profound effect on the overall functioning of the digestive system. It relieves abdominal cramps, constipation and even reduces flatulence.
Nausea
The Three Miles point is located on the leg about a hand's width below the kneecap. Considered the mother of the digestive system, it can be used to relieve nausea and balance the efficient digestion and elimination of foods. You can also use this point to aid in nutrient absorption and weight loss.
Heartburn
The central point against heartburn is located approximately halfway between the navel and the breastbone. Stimulating this point with acupressure can relieve heartburn and indigestion, as well as some emotional issues that lead to digestive ailments. The point on the hand can also help in relieving heartburn.
Point (A)
Location: On the outer edge of the elbow crease. Benefits: Relieves fever, constipation and indigestion. This powerful point activates the colon.
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Point (B)
Caution: Stimulation of this point is prohibited for pregnant women because its stimulation can cause premature contractions. Location: At the highest point of the muscle on the back of the hand, where the thumb and index finger are placed close to each other. Benefits: Relieves constipation, headaches, toothaches, shoulder pain, arthritis, fatigue.
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Point (C)
It is located four finger widths below the kneecap, one finger width beyond the leg bone. If you are in the right place, the muscle should flex as you move your leg up and down. Benefits: Strengthens the entire body, improves digestion, relieves gastrointestinal disorders.
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Point (D)
It is located three fingers below the navel. Benefits: relieves abdominal pain, constipation, colitis and gas.
Cautions
Chinese acupressure is considered safe for most people, but in some cases other treatments may be more appropriate. Pregnant women and people with high blood pressure may experience side effects from Chinese acupressure. Avoid exercising, eating, or bathing for 20 minutes after acupressure. If constipation worsens or persists after acupuncture, consult a doctor.
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Acupressure: rules of implementation
Before performing acupressure, sit comfortably and calm down. Let nothing distract you from this pleasant and useful process. First, you need to rub your hands. Let them be warm. And at the same time, rubbing your hands will improve their blood circulation. Then you need to find the point you need and start working with it. You do not need to press hard on the point. So that the pressure is perpendicular to the skin surface. Do not press sharply, until bruises. If the point is found correctly, there will be no bruise, moreover, there will be pain in the area of pressure or a feeling of aches.
What types of pressure are there?
- In the form of continuous touching or stroking
- In the form of pressing with the full weight of the finger
- In the form of deep indentation - when a depression is formed on the skin
- In the form of rotation (clockwise)
- In the form of vibration
But whatever these finger movements are, they must be continuous.
Massage can also be calming or tonic. When the massage is calming, the point of influence should be pressed constantly, the movements are smooth and slow, they gradually increase. As a rule, during a calming massage, the pressure on the point is repeated 3-4 times, in a circle, the finger is not lifted from the point. The procedure lasts about 5 minutes.
In a tonic massage, on the contrary, there can be no talk of any smoothness. The point is pressed sharply, but not to the point of bruising, as indicated above. The duration of pressure on the point is less than in a soothing massage - a maximum of 1 minute. Up to 3 sessions are carried out per week. The course can be repeated as needed.
In cases of constipation, which are called atonic, a tonic massage is performed to tone up the work of the intestines. The pressure should be with vibration. In cases of constipation, which are called spastic, a soothing massage is performed to calm intestinal spasms and remove abdominal pain. The pressure should be rotational, clockwise, slow, lasting no more than 5 minutes.
Be careful!
When you perform acupressure massage, you can combine it with other methods of treating constipation and improving general well-being, but in no case use laxatives during this treatment, so as not to harm the body.
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