Do you often feel a loss of appetite, or even a delicious meal? This may be because of problems with your spleen and stomach function. In TCM theory, a healthy spleen and stomach is the source of daily vitality and health. Today, we are going to reveal a simple yet effective way to help yourself – massaging the "appetizers" located on the chin, which will not only stimulate your appetite, but also help you rejuvenate your spleen and stomach, so that you can look forward to every meal.
Take control of your spleen and stomach and energize every day
The spleen and stomach are not just organs that digest food, they play a vital role in TCM theory and are at the heart of life vitality. The health of the spleen and the stomach directly affect the digestion, absorption and transformation of food. A healthy spleen and stomach can ensure sufficient production of qi and blood, supporting the basic activities of the body and the regeneration of cells.
However, as we age, many middle-aged and elderly people will experience a gradual decline in spleen and stomach function, manifested by symptoms such as indigestion, loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss. Not only does this affect the quality of daily life, but it can also trigger a range of health problems, such as malnutrition and weakened immunity.
Effects of decreased spleen and stomach function
Weakened digestion and absorption: When the spleen and stomach function is poor, the body's digestion ability is weakened, and the nutrients in food cannot be effectively converted into the energy and substances required by the body, resulting in a decline in physical fitness and weakened resistance.
Loss of appetite: Insufficient spleen and stomach function will directly affect appetite, making people feel tasteless and tasteless, which in turn affects the intake of nutrients.
Mood swings: Long-term spleen and stomach discomfort may also affect a person's emotional state, leading to anxiety, depression and other emotional problems, because TCM believes that the spleen and stomach are the source of "thinking", and spleen and stomach disharmony may lead to mental health problems.
Improvement strategies
In order to effectively improve these symptoms, we should not only pay attention to the quality and nutritional balance of our daily diet, but also promote the recovery of spleen and stomach function through some specific physical methods. One of the most straightforward and effective methods is acupressure. Massaging specific acupuncture points stimulates the activity of relevant nerves and blood vessels, thereby promoting blood circulation and enhancing the function of the spleen and stomach. Among them, the "appetizer" massage is a simple and effective means.
The secret to opening up your appetite: understanding the science of "appetizers".
In traditional Chinese medicine, "appetizers" does not refer to a specific muscle or tendon, but rather a general term that refers to a series of acupuncture points that can be stimulated to enhance the function of the spleen and stomach. From a Western perspective, stimulation of these acupuncture points may affect the nervous and circulatory systems, potentially promoting digestive juice secretion and appetite. Understanding this is important for us to increase our appetite and improve our digestive health.
Neurophysiological basis
The effect of "appetizers" can be explained from the perspective of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls the movement of our internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. Massaging specific acupuncture points stimulates parasympathetic activity, which is often associated with improved digestion. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract increases, as does the secretion of gastric acid and digestive enzymes, which helps improve digestion and increase appetite.
Endocrine effects
In addition to the effects of the nervous system, massage "appetizers" may also affect the endocrine system, especially hormones such as gastrin and insulin, which are associated with digestion and hunger. These hormones play an important role in regulating appetite and blood sugar levels. Promoting the balanced release of these hormones through physical stimulation can be effective in helping to regulate appetite.
Accurate massage of "appetizers": steps and techniques
To effectively stimulate the "appetizers", it is first necessary to accurately find the relevant acupuncture points. These points are generally located below the jaw and along the edge of the jawbone. Massaging these areas can be done by following these steps:
Step 1: Locate the acupuncture points
Straight down below the earlobe, reaching the corner of the chin, the edge of the jaw can be palpated.
The acupuncture points are located near the intersection of this line and the edge of the chin. Usually this area will feel slightly sore or sensitive when pressed lightly, and this is due to the multiple nerves and blood vessels that are distributed here.
Step 2: Massage Techniques
Using the pads of the index and middle fingers, gently make circular motions in this area. The direction of the massage should be alternating clockwise and counterclockwise.
Each massage lasts about 1-2 minutes and can be massaged 2-3 times a day.
Massage should be done with moderate pressure and comfort, and avoid excessive force causing pain.
Precautions
If severe pain or discomfort occurs during the massage, it should be stopped immediately and a medical professional should be consulted.
For people with specific health conditions, such as jaw joint disease or facial neuralgia, medical consultation should be followed before starting this type of massage.
Massage "appetizers" can be used as a non-drug therapy to help middle-aged and elderly people improve appetite and improve digestion. However, it is important to note that massage is only a complementary method and is not a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle habits. When using massage therapy, it should be combined with a healthy diet, proper exercise, and a good lifestyle to achieve the best results.