Massage techniques to strengthen the spleen and stomach

Massage is a common health care method in clinical practice. Different massage techniques will produce different health care functions. Different health care effects can be achieved through appropriate massage techniques. For example, many people with poor spleen and stomach function usually use massage to make their spleen and stomach healthy. So what are the massage techniques for strengthening the spleen and stomach? Let us take a brief look at it below.

Massage to strengthen the spleen and stomach

1. Press the Zhongwan acupoint

Zhongwan point is located on the Ren meridian on the anterior midline of the human body, 4 inches above the navel. It is the gathering point of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming and the place where the Stomach Meridian Qi gathers. Pressing Zhongwan point can promote the circulation of Qi and regulate the function of the stomach. Use your fingers to press or massage the Zhongwan point for 2 to 3 minutes each time until a local warmth sensation is generated.

2. Massage the heart

The pit of the heart refers to the area above the Zhongwan point and below the sternum. It is the corresponding area of ​​the stomach on the body surface. Use your palms to rub it in clockwise and counterclockwise directions for more than 36 circles each to make the local area feel warm and comfortable. It has the effect of regulating the Qi of the middle burner and making the stomach Qi unobstructed. If you have indigestion and obvious symptoms of stomach bloating, you can start from the pit of your stomach and repeat the pushing and pressing technique from top to bottom. Be careful not to push and press from bottom to top.

3. Push and press the ribs

Use your palms to push down from the lower edge of the breasts to the sides of the waist on both sides of the body to make the area warm. This can dredge the liver and gallbladder meridians and regulate the Qi.

Regular practice of these techniques can effectively regulate stomach function, nourish the stomach, warm the stomach, regulate the Qi in the middle burner, and prevent stomach diseases.

4. Moxibustion on Zhongwan acupoint

Use moxa sticks to moxibustion the Zhongwan acupoint for 10-15 minutes, or use moxa cups to moxibustion for 20-30 minutes. Zhongwan point is located on the midline of the abdomen, 4 inches above the navel, equivalent to the width of five fingers. Zhongwan acupoint has the functions of regulating the stomach and replenishing qi, eliminating dampness and harmonizing the middle, and relieving nausea and vomiting. Moxibustion can improve stomach diseases.

5. Moxibustion on Zusanli acupoint

3 inches below the outer knee, one finger width on the outer side of the tibia, use moxa sticks for 10-15 minutes or moxa cups for 20-30 minutes. Regular use of this method of moxibustion has the effects of nourishing the spleen and stomach, strengthening the body and replenishing the essence, harmonizing qi and blood, eliminating evil and preventing diseases.

Foods that strengthen the spleen and stomach

1. Glutinous rice

Glutinous rice is rich in B vitamins, which can warm the spleen and stomach and replenish the vital energy. It can relieve spleen and stomach deficiency, poor appetite, abdominal distension and diarrhea. Therefore, there is an old saying that "glutinous rice porridge is a wonderful product for warming and nourishing the stomach." Boiling glutinous rice and yam into porridge can strengthen the spleen and stomach; adding lotus seeds can warm the middle and stop diarrhea; if you have poor appetite, you can cook glutinous rice with pork stomach and eat it.

2. Apple

Apple is a good health fruit. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen, replenishing qi, benefiting the stomach, promoting fluid production and moistening dryness. It can improve symptoms such as spleen deficiency, poor appetite, stomach yin deficiency, and yin deficiency stomach pain. 500 grams of apples, 100 grams each of tapioca pearls and sugar, add appropriate amount of water and cook into porridge. Apple porridge has the functions of promoting salivation, moistening the lungs, relieving restlessness, relieving heat, and strengthening the stomach. It is suitable for lack of strength, nausea, indigestion, enteritis, dysentery, dry stools, high blood pressure, etc.

3. Ginkgo

Ginkgo has high nutritional value and contains crude protein, crude fat, reducing sugar, nucleoprotein, minerals, crude fiber and various vitamins. Eating ginkgo nuts regularly can nourish the skin, effectively resist aging, promote blood circulation, and make the skin radiant. In addition, boiling sugar water with ginkgo nuts can also strengthen the spleen and stomach.

4. Yam

Yam contains a variety of nutrients such as amylase. Yam can strengthen the spleen and stomach and help human digestion. Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it "strengthens the spleen and replenishes the body, nourishes the essence and strengthens the kidneys, cures hundreds of diseases, and treats the five kinds of fatigue and seven kinds of injuries." Improper diet and partiality for raw and cold food can easily lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Eating some yam can also help. Yam is a starchy root vegetable. It is best to steam or boil it when eaten. Frying, stir-frying and other cooking methods should be avoided.

5. Shiitake mushrooms

It can nourish the spleen and stomach and replenish qi. It is used for symptoms of weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and fatigue. It is now used to prevent and treat rickets and gastric cancer. It has been recorded in ancient documents that mushrooms have many functions, such as replenishing qi and nourishing deficiency, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and treating skin diseases. When choosing mushrooms, be sure to smell them to see if they have a pungent smell.

Dietary precautions for poor spleen and stomach

1. Eat more digestive foods

Eat foods that are easy to digest and ensure your daily health. The digestive system function of the elderly is constantly declining, so indigestion often occurs. At this time, you can eat more easily digestible foods rich in fiber, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, etc.; at the same time, you should also increase foods rich in vitamin B such as coarse grains, beans, etc. to enhance gastrointestinal motility.

2. Supplement trace element zinc

Supplementing reasonable trace elements is a good method. Zinc can effectively promote metabolism in the body, participate in the synthesis of taste buds, enhance the function of taste buds, nourish taste buds, and promote appetite. Therefore, we must eat more foods rich in zinc in our daily diet. Common ones include lean meat, beans, seafood, eggs, soy products, mushrooms, pecans, peanuts, etc.

3. Get rid of some bad eating habits

Changing bad living habits will help your health. Use less spicy condiments such as chili and pepper, as they can stimulate the secretion of gastric juice or damage the gastric mucosa. Elderly people who are prone to bloating should also try to eat less food that easily produces gas and makes people feel full. In addition, foods that are too hard, such as fried rice and barbecue, glutinous rice products such as rice cakes and rice dumplings, various desserts, cakes, fried foods, and ice cream will make people with weak spleen and stomach more uncomfortable, so they should reduce their consumption.

4. Do not eat stimulating food

Coffee and tea are dietary taboos for people with poor stomachs. Avoid all foods that may irritate the stomach and intestines, and do not drink coffee or strong tea.