Acupoint Guide

Tag: hernia

  • 5 Acupoints Beneficial for Both Cough and Hernia

    One-line Summary: When you have both cough and hernia at the same time, stimulating 5 acupoints that strengthen respiratory function and normalize organ function can help relieve symptoms.

    Introduction

    When cough and hernia appear together, daily life becomes really difficult. Each time you cough, pressure is applied to the abdomen, worsening hernia symptoms, and the discomfort from the hernia makes the cough worse, creating a vicious cycle. In traditional Korean medicine, there are acupoints that can relieve both symptoms simultaneously. Try awakening your body’s natural healing power with the 5 acupoint massage techniques we introduce today.

    5 Beneficial Acupoints for Cough and Hernia

    1. Dachu (GV14)

    Location: The depression below the 7th cervical vertebra prominence. It’s the hollow area below the most protruding bone at the back of the neck when you lower your head.

    Benefits: Dachu is a representative acupoint for strengthening the body’s yang qi. It excels at boosting immunity, enhancing respiratory function, and normalizing abdominal organ function. It helps restore weakened lung function from coughing and improves sagging internal organs from hernia.

    Pressure Technique: Slowly press with your thumb or middle finger for 5-10 seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times until you feel a warm sensation spreading. Moxibustion or heating pad stimulation is also effective.

    2. Tanzhong (CV17)

    Location: The 4th intercostal space at the midpoint of the line connecting both nipples (center of the chest).

    Benefits: An important acupoint that regulates lung and heart function, providing the most direct effect for relieving cough symptoms. It makes breathing deep and comfortable, and relieves chest tightness. It also normalizes digestive organ function to help improve hernia symptoms.

    Pressure Technique: Overlap the middle fingers of both hands and slowly press for 5 seconds, then release. Gentle and consistent stimulation is important, and perform 3-5 times daily. Avoid pressing too deeply; stimulate at 1-2mm depth below the skin surface.

    3. Lieque (LU7)

    Location: Approximately 1.5 cun (about 2cm) above the wrist crease, in the depression above the radial styloid process (the thumb bone of the wrist).

    Benefits: An important acupoint on the Lung meridian specialized for cough, cold, and sore throat. It strengthens overall respiratory function and suppresses the cough reflex. It also improves body fluid circulation to help normalize internal moisture levels.

    Pressure Technique: Slowly press with the opposite thumb for about 5-10 seconds. Stimulate until you feel mild pain, but be careful not to overdo it. Repeat 10 times on each wrist alternately.

    4. Fenglong (ST40)

    Location: Below the outer side of the knee, approximately 8 cun (about 24cm) toward the ankle from the lateral epicondyle of the tibia (front end of the bone beside the knee), about 2 cun lateral to the tibia (twice the width of a thumb).

    Benefits: A powerful acupoint that normalizes digestive system function and excels at removing internal moisture. Hernia is often worsened by poor digestion and fluid retention, and Fenglong improves these conditions to relieve hernia symptoms. It also promotes metabolism to strengthen overall body function.

    Pressure Technique: Stimulate for 5-10 seconds while maintaining steady pressure with your thumb or finger knuckle. Since the outer calf has muscle, adequate pressure is needed. Repeat 10 times on each leg; stimulating in the evening helps improve sleep quality.

    5. Chize (LU5)

    Location: Above the elbow crease, in the depression on the lateral side of the biceps tendon (the tendon in the center of the inner elbow) when the arm is bent.

    Benefits: Effective at cooling lung heat and calming cough. It rapidly relieves sore throat, heat sensation, and cough symptoms. It also promotes smooth qi and blood circulation in the arms and upper body to improve overall function and prevent sagging of abdominal organs.

    Pressure Technique: Press firmly with the opposite thumb toward the inside of the elbow for about 5-10 seconds. You may feel both warmth and coolness simultaneously. Repeat 5-10 times on each arm; stimulating in the morning helps you start the day with energy.

    5-Minute Self-Care Routine

    More effective when performed every morning and evening:

    Step 1 (1 minute): Warm up Dachu (GV14) at the back of the neck – Perform circular massage with your fingers or cover with warm hands to promote blood flow.

    Step 2 (1 minute): Gently stimulate Tanzhong (CV17) in the center of the chest – Perform circular motions with the middle fingers of both hands and repeat 5-second pressure × 10 times.

    Step 3 (1 minute): Focus on Lieque (LU7) on both wrists – Press with your thumbs alternating left and right for 10 seconds each.

    Step 4 (1 minute): Deep pressure on Fenglong (ST40) on both calves – Apply sufficient pressure using your elbow and repeat 10 seconds × 3 times.

    Step 5 (1 minute): Finish with Chize (LU5) on both elbows – Repeat the pressing motion toward the inner elbow with your thumb for 5 seconds × 10 times.

    Tips: Drinking warm water after acupressure enhances qi and blood circulation further. It’s best to start 1 hour after meals, and avoid areas with skin wounds or inflammation.

    🤰 Pregnancy Warning: Some acupoints such as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4), and Taichong (LR3) may trigger uterine contractions in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, consult with a Korean medicine practitioner or healthcare professional before proceeding.
    ⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult with a healthcare professional.

  • 5 Acupressure Points for Hernia — Complete Self-Massage Guide

    One-Line Summary: To relieve hernia pain and improve abdominal function, stimulating five acupoints—LR1, LR4, ST36, CV4, and UB23—is highly effective.

    Introduction

    Sudden abdominal pain and discomfort bothering you? If you’re dealing with a hernia and want to support natural healing before surgery or during post-surgical recovery, acupressure on acupoints recommended by traditional medicine can be a great help. This article introduces five key acupoints that ease hernia symptoms and provides detailed instructions for safe self-acupressure techniques.

    Five Acupoints Effective for Hernia

    1. Taodun — LR1

    Location: 0.1 cun from the outer edge of the toenail of the big toe (at the inner side of the big toe tip)

    Benefits: Normalizes liver and gallbladder function to improve digestive function and relieve abdominal bloating and lower abdominal discomfort. Helps prevent organ prolapse caused by hernia.

    Technique: Position your fingertip precisely at the outer corner of the big toenail and apply 3-second pressure followed by 2-second rest, repeating 15 times. Work both feet and stimulate slowly until you feel warmth.

    2. Zhongfeng — LR4

    Location: In front of the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus), in the depression on the medial side of the anterior tibialis tendon

    Benefits: Strengthens abdominal muscles and normalizes intestinal function. Increases muscle tone in the weakened abdominal area caused by hernia and improves digestive function to promote bowel movements.

    Technique: Place your thumb on the depression on the inner ankle and maintain moderate pressure for 10 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds, repeating 10 times. Apply within a pain-free range, and evening acupressure is most effective.

    3. Zusanli — ST36

    Location: Four cun below the knee, along the outer edge of the tibia (one fist-width below the kneecap, on the outer side of the shinbone)

    Benefits: Enhances overall digestive function and boosts immunity. Replenishes vital energy (qi) in the abdomen to improve fatigue caused by hernia and promotes intestinal peristalsis.

    Technique: Place your thumb vertically on the point four cun below both knees and stimulate with slow circular massage motions for 30 seconds. Best results come from applying once each morning and evening.

    4. Guanyuan — CV4

    Location: Three cun directly below the navel (midway between the navel and the pubic hairline)

    Benefits: Improves vital energy flow throughout the abdomen and increases abdominal muscle tone. Directly relieves abdominal pain caused by hernia and plays a key role in preventing organ prolapse.

    Technique: Place your finger about 4 cm below the navel and massage slowly in circular motions. Stimulate gently for 2 minutes, applied at least 2 hours after eating. Avoid excessive pressure.

    5. Shenshu — UB23

    Location: On both sides of the lower back, three cun below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, two cun lateral to the spine

    Benefits: Strengthens kidney and reproductive function to enhance foundational abdominal muscle strength. Improves chronic fatigue and abdominal dysfunction caused by hernia and enhances support of pelvic organs.

    Technique: Place both thumbs parallel on both sides of the lower back and massage slowly in circular motions for 30 seconds. Apply with warm hands, and evening acupressure is effective for improving sleep quality.

    Five-Minute Self-Care Routine

    Morning Routine (5 minutes): Taodun (both feet, 1 minute) → Zhongfeng (both feet, 1 minute) → Zusanli (both feet, 1 minute) → Guanyuan (1 minute) → Take 3 deep breaths

    Evening Routine (5 minutes): Zusanli (both feet, 1 minute) → Shenshu (both sides, 1 minute) → Guanyuan (1 minute) → Zhongfeng (both feet, 1 minute) → Drink warm tea

    Performing this routine every morning and evening, you should feel pain relief effects after about 4 weeks. Avoid practice within 1 hour after meals or when overly fatigued, and maintain adequate hydration throughout.

    🤰 Pregnancy Warning: Some acupoints such as SP6, LI4, and LR3 may trigger uterine contractions in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, consult a licensed acupuncturist or healthcare professional before proceeding.
    ⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is provided for health information purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional immediately.