One of the most uncomfortable stomach problems you can have in this life is gastritis. It comes with the intense pain of a stomach ulcer and the great discomfort of indigestion. No one looks forward to having gastritis, but at some point in the lives of most of us, gastritis would come. When it does come, you need to stand prepared to fight it with the acupressure points for gastritis.
Gastritis is a medical condition whereby the lining that protects your stomach is inflamed. This lining, called mucosa, protects your stomach from some of the strong acids that your stomach uses to digest food. This lining can get inflamed by a number of things, the most popular of which is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Other causes of gastritis include bile reflux and infection.
Gastritis could either be acute or chronic. Acute gastritis is the kind that comes all of a sudden, while chronic gastritis is the type of gastritis that spans a long period of time. According to Cleveland Clinic, acute gastritis is more common than chronic gastritis. About 8 out of every 1,000 people have or have had acute gastritis, while it’s 2 out of every 1,000 persons for Chronic gastritis.
You are at a greater risk of having gastritis when you take too much alcohol; use too many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin; are old, or are stressed from severe injury or illness. Some of the symptoms that you have gastritis including stomach pain, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, and black stool.
If left untreated, gastritis can lead to loss of blood and stomach cancer. You need to act fast once you notice the symptoms of gastritis, which is why I am sharing this article on acupressure points for gastritis and stomach ache.
Can Acupuncture Cure Gastritis?
Acupuncture can effectively improve the symptoms of gastritis. This is possible because gastritis is related to the autonomic nerve, and acupuncture stimulation is capable of bringing back the autonomic nerve to its normal state. According to alternative medicine, gastritis is related to the spleen and the stomach and its digestive function. This is such that when there is an issue with the functioning of the stomach and spleen, there is also an issue with digestion. Effective acupuncture treatment for gastritis would stimulate the acupoints related to the stomach and the spleen to restore it back to proper functionality as well as take care of the symptoms of gastritis.
A 2007 research backs acupuncture for gastritis. This research carried out on over 80 patients proved that combined acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is effective in improving the symptoms of chronic atrophic gastritis. For this research, the patients were put into three groups – an acupuncture group, an acupuncture-moxibustion group, and a control group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment, the acupuncture-moxibustion group received combined acupuncture-moxibustion treatment, and the control group received no treatment. At the end of the treatment period, the combined acupuncture-moxibustion group came out the most relieved of the symptoms of chronic atrophic gastritis.
How Long Does It Take For Alcoholic Gastritis To Heal With Acupuncture?
The duration of acupuncture treatment for gastritis depends on the kind of gastritis, whether acute or chronic. For most long-term gastritis, like those accelerated by alcohol, a ten-day treatment whereby acupuncture is administered once per day is sufficient. However, it’s best to apply acupuncture for gastritis with moxibustion.
Acupressure Points For Gastritis
Now that we have answered some of the questions you may be asking let’s see some of the acupressure points for gastritis that you should know.
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
Acupoint ST-36, or Zusanli, as it is called in Chinese, is the first of the acupressure points for gastritis that you should push once you start experiencing the symptoms of gastritis. You’ll find it below the knee plate, four finger-width from the bottom of your knee plate, and above the muscles outside the tibia.
In Traditional Chinese medicine, Zusanli is known for its gastrointestinal regulation function. It strengthens the spleen and stomach and improves energy and blood flow. It is known for its regulation of all digestion, absorption, and excretion functions of the human body. It also serves as acupuncture for eye bags.
You want to push ST-36 when you have gastric pain, abdominal distention, shortness of breath, poor appetite, pain in the knee joint, and edema. It is an acupoint that promotes general wellness.
Acupoint: PC-7 (Other Names: Pericardium-7/Da Ling/Great Mound)
PC-7 is another acupressure point you want to push when you have gastritis. Located on the wrist, it is one of the acupressure points on the hands for gastritis. With your palm facing up, you’ll find Daling, as it is called in Chinese, on your wrist crease, in the center, between two tendons.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daling is responsible for opening the chest, regulating the flow of energy in the heart, and resolving issues in the stomach. It is the acupoint for gastritis accelerated by physical stress. So, when you’re feeling weak or unmotivated due to tiredness or stress, PC-7 is the right acupoint to push as it helps you to relax mentally.
If you apply gentle pressure to acupoint PC-7 on both wrists, you’ll be able to bring relief to abdominal pain, pain in the chest, pain in your heels, vomiting, and manic psychosis. PC-7 is also effective acupuncture for hand pain.
Acupoint: LU-9 (Other Names: Lung-9/Tai Yuan/Supreme Abyss)
LU-9, Taiyuan, or Great Abyss is another of the acupressure points on the hands for gastritis that you need to know about. This lung meridian acupoint is also located on the wrist crease but on the thumb side rather than on the center of the wrist. You’ll find LU-9 at the wrist crease at the base of the thumb, at the depression where your artery pulsates.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), LU-9 is responsible for resolving phlegm, improving the lung Qi and Yin, and assisting the pulse. It helps to resolve symptoms related to respiration. Hence, it is the acupoint to press when you have a cough or sore throat. It also helps with hiccups, belching, wrist pain, and weakness.
To enjoy the special benefit of LU-9 and pressure points in the chest area, apply firm pressure to this acupoint. Press it until it becomes painful. Do this for 10 seconds, pausing for five seconds to repeat the action. Stop after 10 minutes.
Acupoint: ST-25 (Other Names: Stomach-25/Tian Shu/Celestial Pivot)
ST-25 is called Tianshu in Chinese, which means Celestial Pivot. It isn’t difficult to locate. You’ll find Tianshu on the stomach, close to the belly button, three finger-width to both the left and right sides.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ST-25 helps to regulate the spleen and stomach, remove dampness, and enhance the flow of energy and blood. This is why it is clinically used to relieve chronic gastritis accompanied by nausea and vomiting. It is also used to relieve abdominal pain and discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation while serving as acupressure for bowel inflammation.
You can also push this acupoint when you feel tired. To max out on the benefits of this acupoint, push both the left and right sides of ST-25.
Acupoint: Ren-12 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-12/Zhong Wan/Middle Epigastrium)
Ren-12 is the next acupoint for gastritis. It is called Zhongwan in Chinese, which means Middle Epigastrium. Like ST-25, Ren-12 is also found in the stomach, close to the belly button. But unlike ST-25, Ren-12 is located three-finger-width above the belly button.
Because of its function of strengthening the stomach and the spleen, resolving dampness, and relieving pain, this acupressure for inflammation is effective as a clinical treatment for abdominal pain, vomiting, hiccup, cough, and acid regurgitation. It helps to revitalize the whole body and activate the internal organs of the body.
Acupoint: PC-6 (Other Names: Pericardium-6/Nei Guan/Inner Pass)
PC-6 is the third of the acupressure points on hands for gastritis on our list. Neiguan, as it is called in Chinese, is located above the wrist, three finger-width from the center of the wrist crease towards the elbow.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, PC-6 helps to open the chest, harmonize the stomach, and relieve nausea. It also helps to relax the mind and treat insomnia. It is used clinically to treat cardiac pain, palpitation, cough, asthma, malaria, dizziness, vomiting, hiccup, stomach pain, and epilepsy.
PC-6 is also one of the acupressure points for atrial fibrillation.
Acupoint: BI-20 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-20/Pi Shu/Spleen Transporter)
Bl-20 is the last of the acupressure points for gastritis that we have on our list. It is called Pishu in Chinese and is found at the back. Pishu is just two finger-width beside the 11th thoracic vertebra, on both the left and right side. This is so because gastrointestinal symptoms also occur in the back and not just the stomach.
In TCM, Pishu is a notable acupoint for the spleen and stomach. Hence, it is the right acupoint to massage when you notice tightness or stiffness around your spleen. You want to also massage Bl-20 when you feel like vomiting, have diarrhea, or have jaundice. It also serves as one of the acupressure points for ovary cysts.
Because of the location of Bl-20, it is best to get someone to massage it for you with strong hands.
Where Can You Find Acupuncture Treatment for Bile Reflux Gastritis?
If you’re in Long Island, New York and you’re looking for where to get acupuncture and acupressure treatment for Bile Reflux Gastritis, I’ve got three acupressure therapists to recommend to you.
1. Dr. Yang Acupuncture
Dr. Yang Acupuncture is one of the best acupuncture clinics to visit when you have gastritis. It is located at 378 South Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville, NY 11801. They are experts in treating heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
2. Hicksville Physical Therapy
Hicksville Physical therapy is the other acupuncture clinic you may want to try on Long Island, New York. It is located at 17 West John Street, Hicksville, New York, 11801. Their acupuncture specialist, Philip Jean, is a New York State licensed acupuncturist with a lot of experience.
3. E.W Natural Acupuncture P.C
E.W Natural Acupuncture P.C is another reputable acupuncture clinic that you want to try out on Long Island. Its primary location is at 69 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Commack, NY 11725. but it also has offices in Long Island and Queens.
