How to improve anemia? Massage an acupuncture point on the leg to strengthen the muscles and blood to maintain the health of the blood vessels
Imagine waking up every day feeling unusually tired and unable to rejuvenate even after a long rest. This condition may not just be a natural manifestation of old age, but anemia at work. Anemia, a blood condition, affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, especially in middle-aged and older people. Its main feature is a lack of the number or function of red blood cells in the blood, resulting in body tissues not getting an adequate supply of oxygen, which can trigger a range of symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat.
Anemia not only limits the quality of life for many people, but can also exacerbate the burden on the heart and other organs, increasing the complexity of health problems. However, a correct diagnosis and proper self-care measures, such as acupressure, can significantly improve the condition. In this article, we'll explore a simple yet effective way to activate blood circulation by massaging a specific acupuncture point on your legs, promoting vascular health and helping you regain your vitality.
A multifaceted view of anemia: a detailed explanation of its types and causes
Anemia is a common health problem in all age groups, especially in middle-aged and elderly groups. It is characterized by lower than normal levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, which affects the ability to deliver oxygen. The two most common types are focused on here: iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia: This type of anemia is caused by a deficiency of iron, which is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Causes may include inadequate dietary iron intake, iron malabsorption, or chronic bleeding (e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding). Decreased hemoglobin levels lead to a weakened ability to transport oxygen, resulting in persistent fatigue and pale skin.
Vitamin deficiency anemia: This type of anemia is mainly caused by a deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12, two vitamins that are essential for the maturation of red blood cells. People who are deficient in these vitamins may develop macrocytic anemia, in which red blood cells increase in size but decrease in number. Common causes include poor diet, malabsorption, or long-term use of certain medications.
Acupressure: The Modern Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine Wisdom
Acupressure, as a traditional Chinese medicine treatment, regulates qi and blood and improves health by stimulating specific points in the body. In the treatment of anemia, specific acupressure points can help activate blood circulation and enhance blood production.
Theoretical basis: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "qi is the handsome of blood", and the operation of qi promotes the generation and circulation of blood. By massaging the acupuncture points, the flow of qi can be regulated, which in turn affects the state of the blood. Acupressure can be used to stimulate the qi and blood and improve blood circulation, which is beneficial for iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency anemia.
Practice: Take the "Blood Sea" acupoint (located above the knees, on the inner thighs) as an example, which is believed to nourish and invigorate blood in traditional Chinese medicine. Massage involves applying gentle pressure with your thumb or forefinger and gently rotating in a clockwise direction for 3-5 minutes twice a day. Not only does this approach contribute to blood health, but it also promotes overall energy flow and improves quality of life.
By exploring these two topics, we not only improved our understanding of the diversity of anemia, but also learned an easy way to help ourselves, which is to use acupressure to complement traditional treatments. This method is easy to learn and can be implemented at home, and is an effective means of complementing and enhancing traditional medical methods.
Case Study: Acupressure Transforms a Life
Acupressure Practice: The Story of a 72-Year-Old Male Patient
A 72-year-old man presents to the hospital with prolonged fatigue and palpitations and is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. After not seeing significant improvement with conventional iron supplementation, it was decided to try acupressure therapy recommended by TCM. The patient continued to massage the "Blood Sea" point (located four finger widths below the kneecap) every day for a month. Blood tests before and after treatment showed that his haemoglobin level increased from 90 g/L below the standard value to 135 g/L of the normal level, and his symptoms improved significantly.
How to perform acupressure correctly
Acupuncture point positioning: First, determine the location of the "Blood Sea" acupoint. When sitting, lay the palm of the hand flat, and measure the width of the four fingers as the unit of measurement, and measure the width of the four fingers from the top of the kneecap downward, which is the "sea of blood" acupoint.
Massage Steps:
Warm your hands and gently press the acupuncture points with the tips of your thumbs.
Tap to gradually increase the pressure until you feel noticeably sore.
Massage continuously and in small areas for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Do it once a day in the morning and once in the evening for at least a month.
Notes:
The acupressure area should be kept clean before and after acupressure.
Avoid massaging immediately after eating.
If you feel pain or discomfort during the massage, stop immediately.
This method should be avoided in special situations such as heart disease, skin infections, etc.
Through the implementation of this method, not only can the symptoms of anemia be improved, but also the blood circulation of the whole body can be improved, and the body can be improved. This treatment is simple, safe, and suitable for self-administration at home, especially for middle-aged and elderly people who cannot visit the hospital frequently.