P. Sze 
Acid reflux is usually accompanied by a symptom called “heartburn”. We must pay great attention to it because the stomach acid will form chemical corrosion on the oesophagus, leading to oesophageal damage, ulceration, or even malignant esophageal lesions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the spleen and stomach function determine the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract and digestive system. Therefore, if the function of the spleen is weakened, the source of Qi and blood will be inadequate. Lack of Qi and blood will easily turn to fatigue, bloating, nausea, and so on, but we can relieve it by using these pressure points for heartburn.
How To Treat Heartburn With TCM?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a typical symptom which is “liver and stomach disharmony”. Smooth functioning in the flow of Qi depends on the liver and stomach to pass down.
When the flow of the stomach is descending, it will harmonize and smooth the stomach. But when the flow of Qi does not descend, the stomach acid will go up and down. Leading to common symptoms like stomach acid reflux, abdominal pain, chest pain, vomiting or nausea, and other symptoms.
Chinese Medicine believes lack of stomach yin, dampness heat in the liver and stomach, and emotional depression are prone to heartburn symptoms. Therefore, you should know a few pressure points for heartburn that help to solve these discomfort symptoms.
Does Acupuncture Help Heartburn?
Acupressure points for heartburn can improve esophageal function in GERD patients, even when medications do not work.
Clinical trials indicate acupuncture to be effective in relieving gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients who did not respond to medication showed significant improvement after receiving acupuncture care. In addition, the investigators indicate that acupuncture can increase the peristalsis of the oesophagus, which is essential to promote the clearance of oesophagus acid and reduce esophageal exposure to the acidic environment.
A new protocol for acupuncture administration in critical care is being built, showing improvement in the treatment and prevention of perforative vomiting and nausea. In addition, this article points out that stimulation at NeiGuan (PC-6), a prevention treatment acupoint for malnutrition in critically ill patients, is a convenient and affordable option. So we are going to introduce some useful heartburn pressure points to you today.
Is There A Pressure Point To Relieve Heartburn?
These pressure points for heartburn mentioned below are convenient to use everywhere and anytime because it is mostly located on the hand and leg. When you feel nauseous or ill, simply press or massage these points to get over the symptom.
Acupoint: PC-6 (Other Names: Pericardium-6/Nei Guan/Inner Pass)
The description of these pressure points for acid reflux is very clear in the “Four General Points Song”, which states that problems between the heart and the chest can be applied to the Neiguan point. PC-6 is one of the acupressure points for gastritis.
Just slightly bend your wrist and make a fist, then measure 2 cun upward at 1/2 of the transverse wrist, in between the two major tendons, which is this PC-6.
Use the thumb of one hand on the other hand of the PC-6 with slight downward pressure, keeping the pressure unchanged while rotating and kneading, until feeling sore and swollen. Press and knead for about 1 minute each time, slowly relax your thumb at the end, and alternate with the other side.
Acupoint: ST-11 (Other Names: Stomach-11/Qi She/Residence of Breath Qi)
“Qi” refers to the material in the cave. “She” means source. The name Qi She means that this point is an important source of meridian Qi for the stomach meridian.
This point belongs to the foot YangMing stomach meridian, located near the throat. It can regulate the Qi and lower the rebellion and is also good at clearing the lung and throat, reducing swelling pain, and treating throat disorders.
The point is located in the neck, at the upper edge of the medial end of the clavicle, between the head of the sternum and the head of the clavicle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It can be taken in a sitting or supine position, with the point located in the upper chest, and slightly in the root of the clavicle.
Acupoint: Ren-12 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-12/Zhong Wan/Middle Epigastrium)
As the saying goes, “the stomach is three parts treatment and seven parts nourishment”. To get a good stomach, you have to learn to nourish the stomach. This point has been the first point to nourish the stomach since ancient times.
Ren-12 point is located in the upper abdomen, 4 cun above the navel on the front median line (about the width of one palm together), and the midpoint of the line between the lower end of the sternum and the navel.
It is a two-way regulator that can be used to eliminate stagnation in cases of indigestion and to strengthen the spleen and stomach. So, whether you have too much acid or too little acid, you can use this heartburn acupressure point for acidity problems.
Wide-reaching impact of this point also made it a useful acupuncture point for the flu. When the digestive organs are balanced and functioning properly, our body can fight off the disease and restore its natural functions.
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
This is the first pressure point on the feet for heartburn in our introduction. Find this point by bending the knee 90 degrees, at the lateral recess of the kneecap, 3 cun downward.
To solve the problem of acid reflux is to treat the problem of the upward rebellion of the stomach. It has the effect of drawing Qi downward, which can improve heartburn caused by the upward flow of Stomach Qi. According to Chinese Medicine, ST-36 can be used for all diseases of the six internal organs, especially the stomach meridian. Functions as detoxification and digestion in acupressure for stomach pain in children.
Chinese Medicine effectively helps pregnant women to eliminate pregnancy reactions. Stimulation of the acupressure points for heartburn in pregnancy can help pregnant mothers if they have acid reflux in pregnancy reactions. It is effective for morning sickness during pregnancy, but keep in mind when a pregnant lady is doing massage, please use the soft and gentle rubbing method. Stop immediately when you feel pain, and never force yourself to endure the pain.
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
SP-6 is 3 cun straight up on the tip of the inner ankle, at the posterior edge of the tibia near the recess of the bone edge. It generates gastric energy, dries out spleen dampness, and strengthens the spleen and stomach. It is also one of the acupuncture points for brain thought that fortifies the body and blood.
Stimulate this point with gentle pressure, pressing the opposite side of SP-6 with the end of the thumb, or rub it clockwise for 5-10 minutes. There is usually a little swelling and pain when you press it.
Acupoint: Liv-3 (Other Names: Liver-3/Tai Chong/Supreme Rush)
Liv-3 point, as the original point of the Liver meridian. Stimulation of this point can calm the liver fire and has a good blood-regulating function, so you may use this acupuncture for eye bags.
It is located about 1.5 cm upward from the crease between the big toe and the second toe of the foot. Press and kneading the Tai Chong point for 1-2 minutes is recommended, especially those who are irritable, depressed, and anxious should stimulate this point more often.
Conclusion
- Ren-12- is a common point for treating stomach and epigastric diseases by strengthening the spleen and stomach, lowering the rebellious Qi.
- PC-6- It can regulate the Qi of the spleen, stomach, heart, and chest. Lowering the Qi of the Chong vein and the upper rebellious Qi in the stomach has the specific effect of stimulating this point to stop vomiting.
- ST-36 -is one of the four general points which is good at strengthening the spleen and stomach, clearing and lower down turbidity.
- ST-11- is very effective in suppressing stomach pain or the feeling of nausea and vomiting.
- SP-6- It is useful for heart and brain diseases which is the main health point to harmonize Qi and blood and activates the meridians. Pregnant ladies are prohibited from using this point.
- Liv-3- can calm the heat of the liver and lower the rebellion of Qi, so that liver energy does not rise too much. For those patients with hypertension, insisting on pressing or rubbing these acupressure points can help to stabilize their blood pressure as well.
