Health
Maintenance
The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) highly praises the role of the body’s meridians and acupoints, believing they can “determine life and death, and treat all diseases.” The meridians connect the internal organs (the five zang and six fu) to the limbs, bones, and sensory organs, linking all parts of the body; acupoints are the locations where qi and blood flow in and out of the body surface, serving as functional and sensitive points on the meridians. Through specific stimulation, these points can open the meridians, regulate qi and blood, expel pathogens, support the body’s righteousness, and treat diseases. The most important acupoints for health maintenance are as follows.
Health
Maintenance
1. Zu San Li (Stomach 36)
Zu San Li is located 3 cun below the knee joint on the outer side of the tibia.
Traditional Chinese medicine states: “Pressing Zu San Li for a long time is better than a hen’s egg,” as it is known as the “number one acupoint for health maintenance.” Stimulating this point can prevent and alleviate many common ailments such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, acute gastritis, gastric ptosis, vomiting, hiccups, belching, enteritis, dysentery, constipation, hepatitis, cholecystitis, gallstones, renal colic, as well as diabetes and hypertension. It is particularly effective for relieving acute gastric pain and has good preventive effects on cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, cerebral hemorrhage, and arteriosclerosis.
When massaging Zu San Li, use your thumb to press straight down for about 3 minutes each time until a feeling of soreness and numbness is felt in the area.
Health
Maintenance
2. Wei Zhong (Bladder 40)
Wei Zhong is located at the midpoint of the popliteal crease, in the center of the popliteal fossa.
Traditional Chinese medicine states, “Seek Wei Zhong for lower back pain.” Office workers who sit for long periods or the elderly who often experience back pain can benefit from regularly pressing Wei Zhong to promote the flow of qi and blood in the lower back.
When massaging Wei Zhong, apply pressure until a slight soreness is felt, with one press and release counting as one repetition. Generally, this can be done for about 20 repetitions.
Health
Maintenance
3. Zhong Wan (Ren 12)
Zhong Wan is located on the midline of the abdomen, at the midpoint between the lower end of the sternum and the navel.
For patients with acute gastric stabbing pain, pressing Zhong Wan with a finger for 10 seconds, then releasing, and repeating this for three to five minutes can alleviate symptoms.
For patients with chronic gastric discomfort, massaging Zhong Wan with the palm can promote digestion.
Health
Maintenance
4. San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6)
San Yin Jiao is located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 cun above the highest point of the ankle bone (approximately the width of four fingers excluding the thumb).
Massaging San Yin Jiao helps to clear blockages in the body, maintain the uterus and ovaries, regulate menstruation, remove spots, reduce wrinkles, treat acne, and alleviate skin allergies, dermatitis, and eczema.
When massaging, place your thumb upright on the acupoint, press down, and then rub for about 1 minute, resting before continuing.
Health
Maintenance
5. Yong Quan (Kidney 1)
Yong Quan is located on the sole of the foot, in the depression at the front third of the foot when the toes are flexed.
There is a saying: “Pressing Yong Quan a hundred times before sleep is a secret to longevity and benefits the spleen and nourishes blood.”
After washing your feet daily, rub the Yong Quan acupoints on both feet with your thumbs for about 10 minutes to aid sleep. For those with neurasthenia, the time can be extended to half an hour.
Health
Maintenance
6. Guan Yuan (Ren 4)
Guan Yuan is located 3 cun below the navel (approximately the width of four fingers excluding the thumb).
Massaging Guan Yuan can replenish kidney qi and delay aging.
Before massaging Guan Yuan, warm your palms and rub them over the acupoint in a kneading motion, gradually increasing pressure until warmth is felt.
Health
Maintenance
7. Nei Guan (Pericardium 6)
Nei Guan is located on the palmar side of the forearm, on the line connecting Qu Ze (Pericardium 3) and Da Ling (Pericardium 7), 2 cun above the wrist crease (approximately the width of three fingers excluding the thumb), between the palmaris longus tendon and the radial flexor tendon.
Massaging Nei Guan helps to promote the smooth flow of blood and qi. Press down with your thumb for about 3 minutes until a feeling of soreness and numbness is felt in the area. Massaging Nei Guan can also relieve headaches, dry mouth, sore throat, cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, and lower back pain.
Disclaimer: Some articles on this site are reprints, and the copyright belongs to the original author; reprinting is for the purpose of conveying information and sharing. If there are errors in source attribution or infringement of your legal rights, please contact the author with proof of ownership, and we will promptly correct or delete it. Thank you.Note: The above content is for reference only and may not be suitable for all populations. It is recommended to adjust under the guidance of a physician.