Acupressure Points for Anemia

Anemia involves insufficient healthy red blood cells, causing weakness and other symptoms. Anemia is when your blood doesn't have enough healthy red cells, and it makes you feel tired and weak. You might also feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, find it hard to breathe, look paler than usual, and have trouble focusing. Sometimes, people with anemia also get upset more easily and can't do physical activities as well as they used to. It's important not to guess and start taking things like iron tablets without having a proper check-up. To really know if you have anemia and how to take care of it, you need the right tests and advice from a doctor.

What Causes Anemia?

Anemia can result from inadequate nutrients like iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid. Anemia can happen for a few different reasons, but it's often because the body doesn’t have enough of certain nutrients like iron, Vitamin B12, or folic acid. These nutrients are important because they help make DNA, which is needed to build red blood cells. If your body doesn't have enough, it can't make healthy red blood cells and that leads to anemia. One specific type caused by not having enough Vitamin B12 or folic acid is called megaloblastic anemia. So, it's really key to talk to a healthcare professional and maybe have some tests to figure out the exact reason behind the anemia to treat it the right way.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Anemia

In TCM, anemia is seen as a kind of blood deficiency. When TCM talks about blood deficiency, it means there isn’t enough blood to properly nourish different parts of our body, showing up in ways like having a pale face or very light color in the lips or fingers and toes.

People might feel dizzy, see things a bit blurry, feel their heart beating oddly, have vivid dreams, or feel numbness in their hands and feet. Women might notice that their periods are light or don’t come when expected, and a doctor checking their pulse might find it to be faint.

Blood deficiency in TCM can come about for various reasons like losing too much blood, maybe from an injury or heavy periods, having weak digestion (which is linked to producing Qi and blood in TCM), long-lasting illnesses that wear out the body, or old, stuck blood that’s making it hard for fresh, new blood to be made.

Pressure Points for Anemia on the Body

Sea of Qi (Qihai 氣海) CV6 Acupoint

The Sea of Qi is a beneficial point for people with anemia, and boosts energy. This point boosts energy and vitality when stimulated, helps treat several gynecological issues and urinary problems, and is believed to have positive effects on male fertility.

Where is the Acupuncture Point CV6?

The Sea of Qi acupoint can be found in your lower abdomen about one and a half inches below your navel.

How to locate Acupressure Point CV6?

1. Start at your navel - that's your belly button.
2. Now, take a look at your thumb. You're going to use the width of it for a quick measurement.
3. Use the width of your thumb to measure straight down from your belly button. Measure one and a half thumb widths.
4. The point you landed on, one and a half thumb-widths below your belly button, is called the Sea of Qi point.

Origin Pass (Guanyuan 關元) CV4 Acupoint

For those suffering from anemia, stimulating the Origin Pass acupoint can have fantastic benefits. This point is primarily associated with treating ailments of the reproductive and urinary systems. Stimulation at this point is known to remediate conditions like impotence, irregular menstrual cycles, abdominal pain, and urinary tract issues. It can have a positive impact on anemic individuals.

Where is the Acupressure Point CV4?

Origin Pass is located roughly three inches beneath the navel, in the lower abdomen portion of the midline.

How to locate Acupuncture Point CV4?

1. Lie down on your back.
2. Put three fingers together starting from the bottom edge of your belly button.
3. The point at the end of the top finger is the Origin Pass point.

Center Venter (Zhongwan 中脘) CV12 Acupoint

Center Venter acupoint is an effective option for anyone dealing with anemia. This point is particularly beneficial when it comes to issues with the digestive system. Problems such as stomach pain, abdominal acid, and heartburn are all targeted by this acupoint. It can also help improve appetite, boost the function of the spleen and stomach, and efficiently alleviate symptoms like constipation and diarrhea.

Where is the Acupressure Point CV12?

The Center Venter acupoint can be found approximately four inches above the navel on the midline of your abdomen.

How to locate Acupuncture Point CV12?

1. Sit up straight in a comfortable position.
2. Put your finger at the bottom edge of your sternum (the bottom center of your ribcage).
3. Now, move your finger down to halfway between the starting point and your navel.
4. The point you've reached is the Center Venter point.

Spirit Gate (Shenque 神闕) CV8 Acupoint

The Spirit Gate acupoint, often used for relieving abdominal pain, can be extremely beneficial for individuals with anemia. When experiencing abdominal discomfort or diarrhea, gently massaging the Spirit Gate acupoint can promote digestive health and alleviate discomfort.

Where is the Acupressure Point CV8?

The Spirit Gate acupoint is located right at the center of your navel.

How to locate Acupuncture Point CV8?

1. Lie down on your back.
2. Put your finger in the middle of your belly, which is the area where your navel (belly button) is located.
3. The exact area where your finger is located now is the Shenque point.

Reflexology Points for Anemia on Foot and Leg

Leg Three Mile (Zusanli 足三里) ST36 Acupoint

Leg Three Mile, below the knee, alleviates various issues including anemia symptoms. This point is widely known for treating digestive disorders, lower limb problems, back issues, and respiratory conditions. This point is particularly useful for those suffering from anemia as it can provide relief from leg pain, digestive problems, sleeplessness, and even depression.

Where is the ST36 Acupressure Point?

Leg Three Mile acupoint is located about three inches below the knee joint on the outside of your lower leg.

How to locate the ST36 Acupuncture ?

1. Sit on a chair with one leg at a 90-degree angle.
2. Place your four fingers together at the bottom edge of your knee.
3. The Leg Three Mile point is situated slightly outside of your middle finger - right where your pinky finger ends.

Sea of Blood (Xue Hai 血海) SP10 Acupoint

Sea of Blood, above the knee, improves blood circulation and alleviates menstruation issues. The Sea of Blood acupoint, located along the spleen meridian over the inner side of the knee, can also benefit those dealing with anemia. By stimulating the Sea of Blood point, you can encourage blood circulation and help alleviate symptoms of anemia and other issues such as irregular menstruation, menstrual discomfort, leg swelling, shoulder pain, and eczema.

Where is the Acupuncture Point SP10?

The Sea of Blood Acupoint is located on the spleen meridian above the inner side of your knee.

How to locate the Acupressure Point SP10?

1. Locate your inner knee cap while sitting down with your legs extended straight in front of you.
2. Place three fingers above your knee cap, starting from the upper edge.
3. The area just above the top finger is the Sea of Blood point.

Pressure Points for Anemia on Arm

Small Sea (Xiao Hai 小海) SI8 Acupoint

Small Sea, at the elbow, regulates various ailments, including anemia, and supports wellbeing. The Small Sea acupoint along the Small Yang Meridian is known to regulate various ailments in the body and can be quite useful for individuals with anemia. By stimulating this point, you can positively impact your general health and wellbeing.

Where is the Acupressure Point SI8?

The Small Sea acupoint is situated at the inside peak of your elbow joint.

How to locate the Acupuncture Point SI8?

1. Bend your elbow slightly.
2. Look for the groove that's created at the inside of your elbow when it's bent - this is the area where your elbow flexes.
3. The area you've found is the location of the Small Sea point.

Lifestyle and Dietary Suggestions for Anemia

Manage anemia by incorporating dietary changes, exercise, positive outlook, and acupressure. Alongside using acupressure for anemia, consider these simple health tips:

1. Eat More Vitamin C: Help your body absorb iron by eating Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers.

2. Choose Iron-Rich Foods: Support your blood with iron from spinach, lentils, and meats, and Vitamin B12 from fish and eggs.

3. Rest and Exercise: Ensure good sleep and opt for gentle exercises like walking or light yoga to boost your blood flow and energy.

4. Stay Positive: Manage stress and keep a cheerful outlook through relaxation practices or joyful activities.

5. Stick to a Routine: Regular schedules for eating and activities help keep your body’s energy and digestion in check.

6. Stay Warm: Avoid cold environments to keep your blood flowing smoothly.

7. Limit Strong Tea: Avoid tea close to meal times as it can interfere with iron absorption.

How to Mange Anemia with Acupressure Points

Manage anemia using acupressure on specific points, like CV6 and CV4, with appropriate techniques. Specific acupressure points, such as CV6 (Sea of Qi), CV4 (Origin Pass), CV12 (Center Venter), and SP10 (Sea of Blood), have been identified as particularly beneficial for those managing anemia.

Here are some practical tips to get the most out of these acupressure techniques:

• Create a serene environment: Choose a quiet space where distractions are minimal. This calm setting will enhance your focus and heighten the healing effects of acupressure.

• Deep breathing: Initiate your session by inhaling and exhaling deeply. This not only calms your mind but also prepares your body for the acupressure session, making it more receptive to the process.

• Clean hands: Hygiene is essential. Ensure that your hands are clean before you start. This will prevent any potential infections, especially when dealing with sensitive areas.

• Consistency is key: Regular application of these acupressure techniques is more beneficial than sporadic sessions. Aim to integrate these into your daily or weekly routine for a sustained impact

Care and precision in locating and engaging with these points are crucial; if uncertainty arises, do seek guidance from a professional.

Simplify Your Acupressure Sessions with Moxa

Moxa Acupressure App offers personalized, simple guidance for managing anemia through acupressure. If you're trying to manage anemia and want a simple, straightforward method to integrate acupressure into your routine, the Moxa Acupressure App is here to help. This app is crafted to make your journey with acupressure straightforward and productive, by giving you personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs and aims, with a particular emphasis on managing anemia.

The Moxa Acupressure App brings you over 150 acupressure sessions, all designed by licensed acupuncturists, to ensure that acupressure becomes a seamless part of your everyday life. The app provides an array of sessions aimed at various health concerns, including specific options for managing anemia.