P. Sze 
Did you dig into a delicious family meal with such a ferocity that your stomach is now akin to that of a pregnant woman? Or is it that you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and bloating occurs so often that it’s become a part of who you are? Rest assured, I won’t tell you to buy a bottle of kefir to gulp down, nor an over the counter medicine. All you’ll need to do is use acupressure points for gas and bloating. Your bloating will dissipate, and you’ll feel relief almost immediately.
Read more to find out!
Causes Of Bloating According to TCM Expert
According to Dr. Joni Chapman DACM, LAc, abdominal bloating occurs when gas builds up in the gastrointestinal tract and fills the stomach and/or intestines with air, causing the abdomen to get enlarged and distended. It can include sharp pain, belching, flatulence, nausea, or a sudden strong urge to go to the bathroom. Bloating can also be related to fluid retention. Some digestive conditions that may cause abdominal bloating, gas, and pain include:
Spleen/Stomach Deficiency – symptoms include chronic bloating, poor appetite, feel worse after eating, pallor, and fatigue, which can be caused by medications, raw, cold, or fermented food, eating disorders, long-term illness, or chronic inflammatory disorders.
Damp-Phlegm – symptoms include distended stomach, nausea, acid reflux, diarrhea, which can be caused by dietary habits such as excess sugar, alcohol, fatty or fried foods, and dairy products. External conditions, such as damp environmental conditions, can also contribute to excess internal dampness.
Liver Qi stagnation – can present with stomachaches, gurgling, belching, and constipation, which can be caused by stress, feelings of anxiety or anger, and irregular, emotional eating behaviors.
Acupuncture and acupressure can do wonders for digestive issues by moving the energy (qi) throughout the body. Sometimes, it can get stuck in the abdomen (middle jiao), causing pain, gas, and bloating. It can be very effective in relieving symptoms along with diet modification, stress reduction, and physical activity. Some precautions to be aware of include eating food not appropriate for their constitution, too many processed foods, the temperature of food, and/or whether foods are cooked or not.
Acupressure Points for Bloating
Below, we’ll mention some of the pressure points for bloating to rejuvenate your stomach and spleen function. These are the best pressure points for bloating.
In The Abdomen
In the abdominal region alone, there are numerous acupressure points for gas and bloating. These are the easiest to find.
Acupoint: ST-25 (Other Names: Stomach-25/Tian Shu/Celestial Pivot)
To locate this point, place 3 fingers parallel to and alongside the center of your belly button. The pressure point is precisely 3 fingers away at the edge of your last finger. This point is known by many names, including Stomach-25, Tian Shu, and Celestial Pivot, and is one of the best pressure points for bloating.
This point alleviates constipation, diarrhea, snoring, and general intestinal disorders. Also, by stimulating this point, you can relieve menstrual irregularities as it rejuvenates abdominal blood circulation.
Acupoint: Ren-6 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-6/Qi Hai/Sea of Qi)
Also known as the Sea of Energy point. Place your first 2 fingers below your belly button. The acupoint is located exactly below your second farthest finger away from your belly button.
This point is such a beast. Not only is it one of the pressure points for bloating, but it’s also one of the best acupressure points for immediate gas relief. It kicks up the performance of your immune system and can aid in treating sexual disorders.
Acupoint: Ren-4 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-4/Guan Yuan/Origin Pass)
This point is known as the gate of origin. It’s located on the lower abdomen, a hand’s width below your belly button. To use this point, lay on your back and press both index fingers on the acupoint.
This point nourishes the kidneys and accesses the body’s sources of movement and energy. It releases bloating, gas and even helps with menstruation and urinary problems.
Acupoint: Ren-9 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-9/Shui Fen/Water Division)
One finger’s width above the belly button or 1 cun above the belly button. It should be along the same meridian as the Ren-4 and Ren-6 acupoints.
This is one of the best pressure points for bloating because it clears ‘damp’ from the body or excess fluid build-up. Bloating is fluid and gas build-up within the body, so targeting this acupoint can release bloating and trapped fluids.
Acupoint: Ren-12 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-12/Zhong Wan/Middle Epigastrium)
The ‘Center of Power’ point is located by placing 4 fingers above your belly button. The pressure point is located on top of them. It should be in line with your belly button.
This point treats indigestion and reduces bloating and gas build-up. If you’re bloated after a large meal, this is one of the best acupressure points for immediate gas relief.
In Legs and Feet
You might not expect the legs and feet to have pressure points for bloating, but there are actually quite a few. For the legs and feet region, these are the acupressure points for gas and bloating:
Acupoint: ST-43 (Other Names: Stomach-43/Xian Gu/Sunken Valley)
Located in the depression between the second and third toes, it is known as the Sunken Valley. You can find it by moving your index finger inward from where the second and third toe join.
This point eliminates wind and heat, meaning it will alleviate bloating, swelling, abdominal pain and distension, and overall discomfort.
Acupoint: SP-3 (Other Names: Spleen-3/Tai Bai/Great White)
This point is located on the outside of your big toe, where the bone dips into the flesh of your foot. It’s where the bottom white of the foot meets the darker top of the foot.
The SP-3 point is one of the best pressure points for bloating. It helps with digestive issues like constipation, dysentery, and diarrhea. It also alleviates abdominal and gastric pain and reduces abdominal distension, aka bloating.
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
Put 4 digits beneath your knee-cap. The point is a finger’s width away, outside the shin bone.
This point is also called ‘Three Miles Point’, as it energizes a person so much that they’re said to be able to walk an extra 3 miles, even if they’re exhausted. It’s one of the best pressure points for indigestion.
Acupoint: KI-2 (Other Names: Kidney-2/Ran Gu/Blazing Valley)
Trace the arch on the inner side of your foot till you reach its exact middle point. This point is also called ‘Blazing Valley’.
Although this point is that of the kidney’s meridian, it’s found to be really helpful in alleviating constipation and gas. Use acupressure to relieve gas at KD-2.
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
Start by putting 4 fingers above your inner ankle bone. The point is directly above the fourth finger. This is known as the three yin crossing point because the liver, spleen, and kidney channels all pass through this point.
This point aids in the treatment of flatulence, colitis, as well as abdominal distension. It’s one of the best pressure points for indigestion and gynecological issues.
In Hands
Moving on to pressure points in hand for gas, we’ll be mentioning 2 points:
Acupoint: PC-6 (Other Names: Pericardium-6/Nei Guan/Inner Pass)
This ‘Inner Gate’ point can be located 3 fingers below your hand on your wrist. You can easily target this acupoint at any time of day.
You should use this point if you are experiencing nausea, stomach pain, and it is one of the most valuable pressure points for indigestion.
Acupoint: LI-4 (Other Names: Large Intestine-4/He Gu/Joining Valley)
It’s located in the back of the fleshy area connecting your thumb and pointer finger. The ‘Large Intestine 4’ point is also known as ‘Union Valley’.
It’s a critical point for those who have IBS, as IBS sufferers have impaired colons that are a crucial part of their large intestines. Applying pressure on this point regularly will alleviate the symptoms of IBS.
LI-4 is also one of the top 10 acupressure points to relieve body pains & aches.
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