Acupressure is effective in treating digestion problems including GERD by altering acid secretion, GI motility, blood, and energy flow.
5 Acupressure Points for GERD treatment
Clinical study on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux by acupuncture. Chin J Integr Med. 2010 Aug; 16(4):298-303. Acupuncture can effectively inhibit the intra-esophageal acid and bile reflux in GER patients to alleviate patients' symptoms.
1. Ren 12 - Zhongwan (English: Middle Epigastrium)
Location: 4.0 cun above the umbilicus.
This point is useful for epigastric pain, vomiting, hiccup, acid regurgitation, abdominal distention, diarrhea, dyspepsia, cough, copious phlegm, jaundice and insomnia.
This point strengthens and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach, resolves Dampness, relieves pain.
If you prefer to do acupuncture, then needling by perpendicular insertion to 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
2. Stomach 36 - Zusanli (English: Leg Three Miles)
Location: 3 cun below patella, one fingerbreadth (middle finger) from the anterior, crest of the tibia.
This point is useful for gastric pain, vomiting, dysphagia, abdominal distention, borborygmus, diarrhea, indigestion, dysentery, constipation, abdominal pain, and acute mastitis. Also effective for cough, asthma, depressive psychosis and madness.
This point tonifies Qi & blood, harmonizes strengthens spleen & stomach, strengthen body, raises Yang, calms Shen, and stops pain.
If you prefer to do acupuncture, then needling by perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 2.0 cun.
3. Spleen 6 - Sanyinjiao (English: Three Yin Intersection)
Location: 3 cun above the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the medial aspect of the tibia.
It is the crossing point of the Spleen, Kidney and Liver Meridians. This point is useful for undigested food in the stool, abdominal distention or fullness, weak appetite, diarrhea, skin diseases, insomnia, headache, edema, and dysuria.
This point strengthens spleen & stomach, resolves dampness, harmonizes liver, strengthens kidneys, nourishes blood & yin, regulates menstruation, and calms the Shen.
If you prefer to do acupuncture, then needling by perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun. Do not needle during pregnancy.
4. Pericardium 6 - Neiguan (English: Inner Gate)
Location: is located on the inside of the wrist; 2 cun up from the wrist crease, between the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons.
This point is an extremely popular and useful for chest congestion, nausea, vomiting, hiccup, depression, cough, and asthma.
This point opens-up the chest, regulates heart Qi, calms the Shen, harmonizes stomach, and regulates Qi.
If you prefer to do acupuncture, then needling by perpendicular insertion .5 - 1.0 cun.
Inhibition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations by electrical acupoint stimulation, American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology Published 1 August 2005 Vol. 289 no. 2, G197-G201. Electric acupoint stimulation at the Neiguan significantly inhibits the frequency of transient LES reluxations.
5. Stomach 25 - Tianshu (English: Celestial Pivot)
Location: 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus.
This point is useful for gases, abdominal distention & pain, borborygmus, pain around the umbilicus, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, undigested food in feces.
This point regulates spleen, stomach & intestines, dispels dampness, damp-heat, regulates Qi and blood.
If you prefer to do acupuncture, then needling by perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun. Do not moxa during pregnancy.
How do you do acupressure?
When doing acupressure, try to relax in a comfortable position and breathe deeply for few times. Use deep, firm pressure to massage and stimulate these above said acupoints. Repeat manipulation of these points as often as you like, until you reach expected results.