P. Sze 
Though we often worry about our heart, liver, and lungs, few people give much thought to their gallbladder. This pear-shaped pouch sits below the lower right corner of the liver and has the unattractive but important job of storing up bile until it is needed for digestion. If this bile becomes too rich in cholesterol or bilirubin or too low in bile salts, gallstones may form, blocking the bile ducts and causing bile to accumulate in the gallbladder.
Inflammation of the gallbladder, known as cholecystitis, is usually caused by gallstones. When gallstones become clogged with bacterial infections, the pancreatic juice is regurgitated into the gallbladder, which leads to further infection and swelling. As the gallbladder fills with fluid, the walls become thicker and harder, and the organ ceases to function correctly. Stimulating the acupressure points for gallbladder inflammation may help prevent gallstones from forming, protecting your gallbladder from infection and disease.
Is There A Diet That Will Help Inflammation Of The Gallbladder?
Diets rich in saturated fats and high cholesterol foods can lead to the formation of gallstones in the bile duct. Although changing your diet won’t remove gallstones, eating a diet high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats makes them less likely to form in the first place.
Avoid fatty foods and condiments, and incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables, fish or lean meats, dark leafy greens, nuts and beans, and whole grains into your diet. Replace white bread and flour with healthy whole grains, like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, and oats.
Some studies have indicated that men who drink two to three cups of coffee a day have a lower risk of developing gallstones. A systematic review in 2019 suggested that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of gallstones. However, due to other issues with caffeine and alcohol, these substances are difficult to recommend as part of a holistic approach to preventing inflammation of the gallbladder.
One substance whose anti-inflammatory properties are well-established is curcumin, which is proven to prevent the development of gallstones in mice fed on high-fat diets. Curcumin is available as a supplement, but it’s most commonly found in turmeric, a wonderfully flavourful spice used to treat many health conditions. Turmeric is used extensively in Indian and South-East Asian cuisine and can also be brewed as a tea to treat inflammation and relieve pain.
How To Stop Gallbladder Inflammation?
Gallstones that develop inside the gallbladder are not necessarily a problem and may not cause any symptoms. Known as silent gallstones, these are unlikely to cause inflammation and won’t prevent your gallbladder or liver from functioning properly. Infection and inflammation arise when gallstones get trapped in the cystic duct, styming the flow of bile from the gallbladder. Symptoms of cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, include pain around the upper ribs, fever, nausea, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, jaundice is another common symptom, causing the eyes and the face to turn yellow.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise will help to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of gallstones. Acupressure can be included as part of a holistic approach to maintain normal gallbladder function and relieve the symptoms of cholecystitis. Regular massage of the acupressure points for gallbladder inflammation may help open up the cystic ducts and prevent bile from becoming trapped in the gallbladder, reducing swelling and lowering your risk of infection and inflammation.
What Are The Acupressure Points For Gallbladder Inflammation?
Acupoint: GB-25 (Other Names: Gall Bladder-25/Jing Men/Capital Gate)
This acupoint promotes water circulation in the body and provides relief from constipation and digestive issues. Acupressure massage at the Jing Men helps with lower back pain and abdominal cramps and helps prevent kidney disease, cystitis, and urethral stones. Located on the gallbladder meridian, the Jing Men is also helpful in reducing swelling or edema and relieving cholecystitis, making it one of the primary acupressure points for gallbladder inflammation.
GB-25 is on the lateral side of the abdomen, at the free end of the twelfth rib. To locate the acupoint, place your thumbs on your lower back and press upwards until you feel the lower ribs. Follow the ribs out and down around the side of the body, looking for the indentation at the bottom of the ribs.
The point is often tender to touch, but if your Jing Men is overly painful, it may suggest that the kidney, liver, or gallbladder are not functioning correctly. Apply gentle pressure with your thumb or middle finger for two to three minutes until the acupoint relaxes, and the flow of Qi improves.
Acupoint: ST-34 (Other Names: Stomach-34/Liang Qiu/Ridge Mound)
The Liang Qiu, or Ridge Mound, is an effective acupoint for relieving abdominal or gastric pain. Though it belongs to the stomach meridian, its location on the upper leg makes it one of the vital pressure points for thigh pain. ST-34 is also an effective acupressure point to use if you are suffering from diarrhea.
You’ll find the Ridge Mound three finger-widths above the outer edges of the knee caps, on the front of the thigh. Sit on a chair and wrap both hands around your leg, taking deep breaths as you apply firm pressure on the acupressure point.
Acupoint: GB-34 (Other Names: Gallbladder-34/Yang Ling Quan/Yangling Spring)
Another useful acupoint on the gallbladder meridian, GB-34 is used to treat lower back pain and menstrual cramps. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), stimulation of the GB-34 regulates the gallbladder’s function and allows the Liver Qi to flow. Massage the Yangling Spring to relax the muscles, improve emotional well-being, and bring the entire body into balance.
Acupuncture at GB-34 and EX-LE6 is currently under study as a potential gallbladder disease treatment. Researchers hope that randomized clinical trials will elucidate the central mechanism underlying the effectiveness of acupressure points for gallbladder inflammation treatment.
The Yangling Spring is located on the lower legs, at the indentation below the small bone protruding from the outside of the knee. Due to its effectiveness in reducing neuropathic pain and relieving numbness in the lower body, GB-34 is regarded as one of the principal acupressure points for peripheral neuropathy and is often used in acupressure for inflammation of the feet.
