Acupressure for Nausea and Vomiting
Results vary from person to person, but many people find relief within 10 to 15 minutes after pressing the points.
4 Acupressure Points For Gas and Bloating
We’ve all been there. You just finished a big meal, and suddenly, your stomach feels tight and full. Gas and bloating can happen to anyone, and it’s uncomfortable, especially when it hits you unexpectedly. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you know how badly you want relief—and fast.
Sure, there are medications, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could handle this naturally? Acupressure, an ancient technique, might just be the solution. It’s a simple and natural way to relieve gas, bloating, stomach pain, and even stomach cramps. According to recent studies, people found relief from bloating after trying acupressure. Let’s dive into four acupressure points for gas and bloating that you might not know about but should.
What Is Acupressure and How Does It Work?
Before we get into the details, let’s talk about acupressure itself. Acupressure is part of traditional Chinese medicine. The basic idea is that by applying pressure to specific points on the body, you can release blocked energy, called “qi.” When qi flows smoothly, your body feels better. The same is true for digestion. If the energy around your stomach is blocked, you can feel gas, bloating, or pain.
So, by pressing on these special points, you can help your body digest food better, reducing the gas and bloating that make you uncomfortable. Unlike acupuncture, acupressure doesn’t use needles. You just use your hands to apply pressure.
1. Stomach 36 (Zu San Li) – The Key Point for Digestive Relief
This point is excellent for improving digestion and relieving bloating and gas. It’s known as one of the most important acupressure points for gas and bloating. Regularly pressing this point helps your stomach work better.
How to massage:
- Find the point just below your knee, about four fingers down and slightly outside of your leg.
- Sit in a comfortable position.
- Use your thumb to press the point.
- Move your thumb in a gentle circular motion.
- Press for 2-3 minutes.
- Make sure the pressure is firm but not too hard.
2. Spleen 6 (San Yin Jiao) – The Multi-Function Point
The second point helps with digestion, bloating, and stress. It’s one of the best acupressure points for stomach pain and hormone balance, making it a good choice for women’s health as well.
How to massage:
- Locate the point four fingers above your inner ankle.
- Sit or lie down comfortably.
- Press down firmly with your thumb.
- Hold for 1-2 minutes.
- Take slow, deep breaths while pressing.
- Try to relax your body as you press.
Here’s a table to show the benefits of pressing Spleen 6:
Helps with digestion, prevents gas build-up
Eases tension and calms the mind
Helps regulate menstrual cycles for women
Can help with insomnia or restless nights
Helps fight off fatigue
3. Large Intestine 4 (He Gu) – The Pain Reliever
This point is great for pain relief, especially for stomach cramps and headaches. It also helps reduce bloating and aids digestion by relieving acupressure points for stomach cramps.
How to massage:
- Find the point on the back of your hand, between the thumb and index finger.
- Relax your hand.
- Press the point with the thumb of your other hand.
- Hold for 1-2 minutes.
- Breathe slowly while pressing.
- Release and repeat if needed.
4. Conception Vessel 12 (Zhongwan) – The Center of Digestion
This point is key for improving digestion and easing bloating and gas. It connects to both the stomach and intestines, making it one of the top acupressure points for stomach pain.
How to massage:
- Find the point halfway between your belly button and sternum.
- Use two fingers to press gently.
- Apply pressure for 1-2 minutes.
- Take deep breaths as you press.
- Try to relax your stomach muscles.
- Release slowly after finishing.
Other Helpful Tips for Gas and Bloating Relief
Besides pressing these acupressure points for gas and bloating, there are a few other things you can do to prevent discomfort:
- Drink plenty of water after using acupressure. This helps flush out toxins.
- Breathe deeply while pressing each point to help calm your body and make the process more effective.
- You can use these points 2-3 times a day for the best results.
When to See a Doctor
While acupressure can be helpful for gas and bloating, there are times when you should see a doctor. If your symptoms are severe, last more than a few days, or keep coming back, it’s a good idea to get checked out. Also, if you have other symptoms like sharp pain, fever, vomiting, or blood in your stool, you should contact a doctor right away.
These could be signs of something more serious, like an infection or a digestive disorder. It’s always better to be safe and talk to a healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with gas and bloating is uncomfortable, but you don’t always have to rely on medication. By using these acupressure points for gas and bloating—Stomach 36, Spleen 6, Large Intestine 4, and Conception Vessel 12—you can find natural relief. These points help your digestive system work better, reducing gas, bloating, and acupressure points for stomach cramps.
Looking for more guidance on acupressure? Consider consulting a certified practitioner to get personalized advice and learn more about how this ancient technique can support your overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
what are the acupressure points for immediate gas relief on hand
Key acupressure points for gas relief include LI4 (between thumb and index finger), ST36 (below knee), and CV6 (below navel).
what are the acupressure points for immediate gas relief
Key acupressure points for gas relief include LI4 (between thumb and index finger), ST36 (below kneecap), and CV6 (2 inches below navel).
How quickly can acupressure relieve bloating?
Results vary from person to person, but many people find relief within 10 to 15 minutes after pressing the points.
Is acupressure safe to use every day?
Yes, acupressure is a safe, non-invasive technique. You can use it daily to relieve bloating, gas, or acupressure points for stomach pain.
Can I perform acupressure on myself?
Absolutely! Acupressure is easy to do on your own. It’s a great way to find relief from gas and bloating without needing any special equipment.
How long should I press the acupressure points for gas and bloating?
It’s best to press each point for 1 to 2 minutes. If you’re feeling especially bloated or gassy, you can repeat this several times a day.
Can acupressure points for stomach pain or cramps help?
Yes, certain points like Large Intestine 4 and Stomach 36 are great for relieving acupressure points for stomach pain and cramps.
Acupressure for Nausea and Vomiting
This information explains how to use acupressure (AK-yoo-PREH-sher) to help with nausea and prevent vomiting. Nausea is feeling like you’re going to throw up. Vomiting is throwing up.
Acupressure is a kind of massage. It is based on the traditional Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher). With acupressure, you put pressure on certain places on your body. These places are called acupoints (AK-yoo-poynts).
Pressing these acupoints can help your muscles relax and improve your blood flow. It can also help with many common side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.
You can do acupressure at home by using your fingers to put pressure on different acupoints. Watch this video or follow the steps below to learn how to do acupressure.
Pressure Point P-6 (Neiguan)
Pressure point P-6 is also called Neiguan (nay-gwann). It is found on your inner arm near your wrist. Doing acupressure on this point can help with nausea and prevent vomiting.
Do not do acupressure on this point if:
- The skin at or near the point is peeling or blistering.
- There is an open wound at or near the point.
- There is a rash at or near the point.
- There is redness, swelling, warmth, or pus at or near the point.
How to find pressure point P-6
To find pressure point P-6:
- Position your hand so that your fingers are pointing up and your palm is facing you.
- Place the first 3 fingers of your other hand across your wrist (see Figure 1). Your fingers should be placed just below your wrist crease (where your wrist bends).
- Place your thumb just below your index (pointer) finger. Remove the 3 fingers from your wrist but keep your thumb on that spot (see Figure 2). Use your thumb to press down on the spot. You should be able to feel 2 large tendons (tissue that connects muscles to bones) in between your thumb. This spot in between the 2 tendons is pressure point P-6.
- Once you have found the pressure point, you can relax your hand and keep it in a comfortable position.
Figure 1. Placing 3 fingers across wrist to measure where to put thumb
Figure 2. Placing thumb on point below index finger
- Press down on this point with your thumb. Move your thumb in a circle while applying pressure. You can move it in clockwise (to the right) or counterclockwise (to the left) circles. Do this for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Some people may find it hard to use their thumb. You can use your index finger instead.
- Be firm when applying pressure, but do not press so hard that it hurts. You may feel some aching or tenderness, but it should not be painful. If you feel any pain, you’re pressing down too hard.
- Repeat steps 1 to 4 on your other wrist.
You can do acupressure on this point a few times a day until your symptoms improve.
Acupressure is a complementary therapy. Complementary therapies are treatments you can use along with your cancer treatments. They can help ease your symptoms.
To learn about other complementary therapies, call MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service at 646-449-1010 or visit www.mskcc.org/integrativemedicine.
If you have questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider. A member of your care team will answer Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside those hours, you can leave a message or talk with another MSK provider. There is always a doctor or nurse on call. If you’re not sure how to reach your healthcare provider, call .
If you have questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider. A member of your care team will answer Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside those hours, you can leave a message or talk with another MSK provider. There is always a doctor or nurse on call. If you’re not sure how to reach your healthcare provider, call .
For more resources, visit www.mskcc.org/pe to search our virtual library.
Acupressure for Nausea and Vomiting – Last updated on June 23, 2022
All rights owned and reserved by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
