Do you often feel nauseous, that is, you feel like vomiting? Maybe it's because of morning sickness when you're on the bus, in the car, or during pregnancy. Sometimes this nausea occurs even when you use strong medications. So, you might be surprised if we tell you that there is a way to reduce this discomfort without taking any medicine or pill, by simply pressing certain areas of our body with our fingertips. That's the simple, yet very effective method we're talking about today.
What exactly is this fingertip pressure treatment (Acupressure)?
Simply put, it is a treatment that uses gentle pressure with the fingertips on specific points on our bodies to relieve things like pain, anxiety, and nausea. You may have heard of acupuncture. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. However, in this ``Acupressure`` , no needles are used . Instead, you tap the specific point with your finger, or rub it in small circles around the area.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, there is a network of energy pathways (meridians) that flow throughout our bodies. They say that these energy pathways connect the surface of our body to the internal organs.
These specific points are called 'acupoints' or ' pressure points '. They believe that ailments in our internal organs are reflected through these acupoints on the skin.
So, the basic principle of this method is that when pressure is applied to these points in the right way, the function of the related organs improves and symptoms are alleviated.
What are the main official places that provide relief from nausea?
There are several main official sites that can provide relief from this discomfort, which can be caused by a variety of reasons, from motion sickness to nausea during pregnancy to nausea caused by cancer treatment (chemotherapy). Let's take a look at what they are and how to find them.
| Official location name (Acupoint) | How to find the place? | Special benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Pericardium 6 (P6) (Nei Kuan) | 1. Hold your hand with your palm facing up. 2. Place the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger (three fingers) of the other hand together, and place the wrist of the hand across it. 3. Now place your thumb, one of those three fingers, under your index finger. You will then feel two large tendons. This is the official location between those two tendons. | It is very effective for motion sickness and post-surgery nausea. You may have seen motion sickness wristbands, and this is the official site where they are sold. |
| Stomach 36 (ST36) (Zu San Li) | 1. Sit in a chair. 2. Measure down four finger widths, below your knee. 3. At that level, this rank is located about a finger's width away from the shin bone. | Helps the digestive system function and provides relief from nausea and stomach discomfort. |
| Large Intestine 4 (LI4) (He Gu) | 1. Find the soft, muscular area between your thumb and index finger. 2. Apply firm pressure to that area with the thumb of your other hand. | It also provides relief from headaches and various aches and pains, as well as nausea (but pregnant mothers should avoid this herb). |
How exactly is this care performed?
You can do this yourself, or you can help someone else. Here are some tips :
- First, make the person receiving care comfortable or recline.
- Ask them to take a few deep breaths to help calm down.
- Before starting the treatment, warm your hands up a bit. You can do this by rubbing your hands together.
- Once you find the official spot, gently tap or rub the area in small circles with your fingertips.
- Apply continuous pressure for 10 to 30 seconds.
- You can do this for a few minutes . Do this alternately on the appropriate areas of both arms and both legs.
Are there any risks to this? Things we should be aware of?
The best thing about this ` Acupressure ` method is that there are no major risks involved . It is a very safe method. However, there are a few things to be aware of:
- Don't press too hard: If you press too hard on the kelinma, it can break the skin and cause pain. So only apply gentle, bearable pressure.
- Be especially careful during pregnancy (CRITICAL): This is very important. If you are a pregnant mother, you should avoid stimulating certain points. In particular, pressing the LI4 point between the thumb and index finger is considered inappropriate during pregnancy . There is a belief that it can cause uterine contractions. Therefore, if you are pregnant, be sure to talk to your doctor and seek advice before doing this type of treatment.
Is this method really effective? What does it say scientifically?
Although this is a method passed down from generation to generation , even modern scientific research has proven its success.
- Migraines: Many people also experience nausea when they have a migraine. Research has found that pressing the P6 (Nei Kuan) point on the wrist can significantly reduce the nausea that accompanies a migraine.
- Chemotherapy: In a study conducted on women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, it was found that applying pressure to both the P6 and ST36 sites significantly reduced the intensity of nausea they experienced.
- After surgery: Many people experience nausea and vomiting after regaining consciousness after surgery. Researchers have found that pressing the P6 position significantly reduces the number of nausea and vomiting episodes for up to 24 hours after surgery.
So you can see, this is not just something based on faith, but a simple treatment that has some scientific basis and actually has results.
Take-Home Message
- Acupressure is a simple, safe, and non-drug method that can be used at home to relieve nausea.
- The main points of interest for nausea are the wrist (P6), below the knee (ST36), and between the thumb and index finger (LI4).
- When performing this treatment, apply pressure gently and slowly, without applying force.
- Pregnant mothers should avoid visiting certain official locations, such as LI4, and it is imperative to seek advice from their doctor before undergoing any such treatment.
- While this is a good way to provide relief in an emergency, if you have persistent or severe nausea, it's important to find the cause and seek proper medical attention. So, if there's a problem, be sure to see your doctor.
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