There are almost 30 acupressure points on the body used to help improve digestion, reduce abdominal pain, and more. You may find relief from points by the ankle, kneecap, navel, and mid-back.
Everyone experiences gas, bloating, and other uncomfortable digestive symptoms from time to time. However, for people with sensitive stomachs, these symptoms can appear more frequently and may require treatment.
Acupressure is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that’s believed to be effective for gas, bloating, and stomach pain, among other conditions.
We explore whether acupressure is beneficial for the digestive system, and how to use acupressure to ease gastrointestinal symptoms.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of use not just in China, but all around the world.
In modern holistic health culture, traditional techniques — such as acupuncture and acupressure — have become popular alternatives to some Western techniques.
Acupressure is a type of traditional Chinese massage therapy that focuses on stimulating various pressure points around the body. Massaging these pressure points is believed to help control the flow of energy around the body, as well as positively influence overall metabolism.
Not only is acupressure said to help with the release of gas, but it’s also believed to benefit other digestive conditions, such as stomach pain and constipation.
Acupressure points for gas and bloating
Acupressure points are located all around the body along what traditional Chinese medicine refers to as “meridians,” or energy pathways.
Each meridian corresponds to an organ inside the body, and each acupressure point is named after its location along the meridian.
Stimulating the following acupressure points through massage therapy may help relieve trapped gas and reduce uncomfortable bloating.
Many of these acupressure points are also believed to influence the stomach, intestines, and other abdominal organs to promote digestive health.
Zusanli, also known as Stomach 36 or ST36, is located on the stomach meridian and is thought to influence:
- upper abdominal organs
- parasympathetic nervous system
- master energy
Point location: Roughly 3 inches below the kneecap, about 1 inch toward the outer edge.
To massage this point:
- Place two fingers on the zusanli point.
- Move fingers in a circular motion using gentle, firm pressure.
- Massage for 2–3 minutes and repeat on the other leg.
Sanyinjiao, also known as Spleen 6 or SP6, is located on the spleen meridian and is believed to influence:
- lower abdominal organs
- parasympathetic nervous system
Point location: The point is found on the inside of the ankle, 3 inches above the highest point of the inside ankle, off the bone and on the muscle.
To massage this point:
- Place one to two fingers on the sanyinjiao point.
- Move fingers in a circular motion using gentle, firm pressure.
- Massage for 2–3 minutes and repeat on the other leg.
Qihai, also known as Ren 6, Conception Vessel 6 or CV6, is located on the conception vessel meridian and is thought to influence:
- lower abdominal organs
- overall energy
Point location: On the midline of the body, roughly 1 1/2 inches below the navel.
To massage this point:
- Place two to three fingers on the point location.
- Using gentle pressure, move fingers in a circular motion. Make sure not to press too hard, as this area can be sensitive.
- Massage for 2–3 minutes.
Zhongwan, also known as Ren 12, Conception Vessel 12, or CV12, is also located on the conception vessel meridian and is believed to influence:
- upper abdominal organs
- yang organs, including the bladder and gallbladder
Point location: Roughly 4 inches above the navel.
To massage this point:
- Place two to three fingers on the zhongwan point.
- Apply gentle pressure in a circular motion, making sure not to press too hard.
- Massage for 2–3 minutes.
Weishu, also known as Urinary Bladder 21 or BL21, is located on the urinary bladder meridian and is thought to influence:
- abdominal pain
- gastrointestinal disorders
Point location: Roughly 6 inches above the small of the back and 1 1/2 inches outward on either side of the spine.
To massage this point:
- Place one to two fingers on the weishu point.
- Apply gentle pressure in a circular motion.
- Massage for 1–2 minutes. Do not massage this point if you have any contraindicated conditions, such as a slipped disk or spine weakness.
The research on using acupressure for digestive conditions is sparse, with most of the research focusing on acupuncture instead.
However, there is some clinical research that suggests acupressure may have a positive impact on painful digestive symptoms such as gas and bloating.
In one
The researchers found that stimulation of the common abdominal acupressure points resulted in increased gas release and improved bowel function.
In a similar
The study participants self-administered acupressure for a period of 10 days and were assessed for the severity of their symptoms. According to the results, participants in the acupressure intervention group experienced a reduction in constipation symptoms, such as gas and bloating.
Although the research indicates that acupressure can have positive effects on gastrointestinal symptoms, more research is still needed to determine the benefits.
Acupressure is a relatively safe health practice. However, individuals with certain chronic conditions, such as bleeding disorders or chronic pain, should speak with their doctor before trying acupressure.
When you perform acupressure on yourself, you should always use firm, but gentle pressure on the skin. Using too much pressure, especially when stimulating sensitive areas, may cause pain or bruising, among other symptoms.
Acupressure isn’t the only treatment for gas and bloating. You might consider giving these home remedies a try:
- Rule out food intolerances. Food intolerances and allergies can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and more. Limit any foods that your body doesn’t tolerate.
- Eat more slowly. When you eat quickly, you’re more likely to take in excess air, which can turn into gas. Eating smaller meals can also help reduce post-meal bloating.
- Increase your fiber intake. Fiber is important for a healthy digestive tract. Eating enough fiber can help you avoid the uncomfortable symptoms of constipation.
- Try prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics and probiotics are beneficial for your gut bacteria. Eating foods high in these nutrients can give your gut what it needs to run smoothly.
Outside of more serious underlying conditions, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas are common causes of stomach pain.
According to the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), there are over 28 acupressure points that are indicated for abdominal pain.
Some of these points include:
- baohuang (Urinary Bladder 48 or BL48): located beneath each side of the small of the back
- fushe (Spleen 13 or SP13): located by the hipbones
- wailing (Stomach 26 or ST26): located below each side of the navel
- yuji (Lung 10 or LU10): located at the base of each thumb
Much of the research on acupressure for digestive conditions focuses on using acupressure to reduce the symptoms of chronic constipation.
In the studies mentioned above, the following additional acupressure points were indicated for constipation:
- daheng (Spleen 15 or SP15): located on either side of the navel
- hegu (Large Intestine 4 or LI4): located below each index finger
- quchi (Large Intestine 11 or LI11): located along the inner crease of each elbow
- taichong (Liver 3 or LV3): located above each large toe
- tianshu (Stomach 25 or ST25): located on either side of the navel
If you’re experiencing chronic gas, bloating, and other digestive issues, it’s important to visit a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.
Once you understand what’s causing your symptoms, you and your doctor can discuss a treatment plan that includes holistic treatment options, such as acupressure or acupuncture.
Acupressure has thousands of years of use for a variety of health conditions, including gas, bloating, and other digestive issues.
There are almost 30 points on the body that are believed to help improve digestion, reduce abdominal pain, and more.
If you’re interested in trying acupressure for uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms, visit a doctor to learn more about how to incorporate this therapy into your treatment.