Acupuncture Points Mentioned in this Article
The gallbladder is a small organ below the liver on the right side of your belly. It stores bile, a liquid made by the liver to help digest fats. When we eat, especially fatty foods, the gallbladder sends this bile to the small intestine. Here, bile helps break down fats so our body can use them. Without the gallbladder, it would be harder for us to digest fats.
Signs of Gallbaldder Problems
Gallbladder inflammation is indicated by pain under the ribs, fullness near the heart, and frequent burping. You might know your gallbladder is inflamed if you feel pain under the right side of your ribs, fullness near your heart, or if you burp a lot. Other signs are feeling like not eating, feeling sick, or a burning in your stomach. If you eat oily foods and then feel bloated, that's another sign. Some people might have diarrhea, especially after eating fatty foods. If you have gallstones, you might feel sharp pains. Doctors can check by feeling your belly or using a machine called an ultrasound to see if there are stones or if the gallbladder walls look unusual.
Traditional Chinese Medicine View of Gallbladder Issues
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, gallbladder issues are linked to "damp-heat" causing issues like gallstones. The gallbladder is seen as a very important organ. It's believed to hold and move bile. Eating too many oily foods, having emotional stress, or other issues can mess up its function. TCM thinks that when the gallbladder is not working right, it might be due to "damp-heat". Gallstones in TCM are thought of as a result of this "damp-heat". Think of it like a pot. If what's inside is too thick and the heat is too high, it can make stones.
Pressure Points for Gallbladder on Leg
Yang Hill Spring (Yang Ling Quan 陽陵泉) GB34 Acupoint
Yang Hill Spring acupoint promotes healthy gallbladder function and enhances bile secretion. It is a significant acupressure point on the gallbladder pathway and is especially helpful for promoting the healthy functioning of the gallbladder. It's beneficial for increasing bile secretion and enhancing the energy flow of the gallbladder. Additionally, this point can help relieve various types of pain, particularly those associated with the lower extremities, abdomen, and mood swings, which makes it particularly beneficial to gallbladder-related issues.
Where is Acupuncture Point GB34?
Yang Hill Spring Acupoint is located on the outer part of your lower leg, in a small hollow area located just in front of and below the bony part on the side of your knee.
How to find Acupressure Point GB34?
- Sit or stand with your legs slightly apart.
- Locate the knee and feel for a round bone protruding on the outer side of the knee.
- Move just under this protrusion to find an indent.
- The Yang Hill Spring point is located in the middle of this indentation.
Leg Three Mile (Zu San Li 足三里) ST36 Acupoint
Leg Three Mile helps manage spleen-stomach functions and gallbladder inflammation. It is a vital point on the stomach pathway and helps manage spleen-stomach functions. When utilized with other points, like those on the gallbladder pathway, it can bring balance to the gallbladder and stomach, so it's excellent for dealing with gallbladder inflammation.
Where is Acupuncture Point ST36?
Leg Three Mile Acupoint is located approximately three inches below the knee on the outer side of the leg.
How to find Acupressure Point ST36?
- Sit on a chair and bend your knee at a 90-degree angle.
- Place your palm on your knee bone.
- Move your middle finger down and slightly outward from the knee to find an indentation.
- The ST36 point is where this indentation meets the tip of the middle finger.
Reflexology Points for Gallbladder on Foot
Pinched Ravine (Xia Xi 俠谿) GB43 Acupoint
Pinched Ravine assists in conditions like gallstones and wet heat in the gallbladder. If you've been consuming a lot of greasy or fatty foods causing wet heat in the gallbladder, Pinched Ravine is an essential point to know. It can help with conditions like gallstones, headaches, and dizziness. In addition, it effectively reduces swelling and pain in the eyes and can address tinnitus and mastitis.
Where is Acupuncture Point GB43?
Pinched Ravine Acupoint is located on both feet, along the outer edge of your foot and at the base of the space between your fourth and fifth toes.
How to find Acupressure Point GB43?
- Locate the space between the fourth and fifth toes, close to the root of the toes.
- Feel for the junction of red and white flesh in this space.
- The Pinched Ravine point is found at this juncture.
Great Surge (Taichong 太衝) LR3 Acupoint
Great Surge aids in gallbladder issues like abdominal fullness and jaundice. Apart from being incredibly useful for gallbladder issues like lower abdominal fullness, jaundice, and distention of the sides where the gallbladder lives, this point can also mitigate symptoms like headaches, vertigo, eye swelling and pain, depression, and abdominal pain.
Where is Acupuncture Point LR3?
Great Surge Acupoint is located on the top of your foot, in the depression at the edge of the webbing between your big toe and the second toe.
How to find Acupressure Point LR3?
- Place your foot flat on the floor.
- Locate the webbing between the first and second toe.
- Measure one thumb width from this webbing towards the ankle.
- The Great Surge Point is found in the indentation at this distance.
Pressure Points for Gallbladder on Back
Gallbladder Shu (Dan Xu 膽俞) GB25 Acupoint
Gallbladder Shu promotes digestion and eases symptoms like back stiffness and jaundice. It can harmonize the intestines and stomach, promote healthy digestion, and alleviate symptoms like back stiffness, jaundice, dry throat, bitter tasteless mouth, loss of appetite, and issues associated with hepatitis.
Where is Acupuncture Point GB25?
Gallbladder Shu acupoint is located on both sides of the 10th thoracic vertebra, roughly one and a half inches away.
How to find Acupressure Point GB25?
- Start from the center of your back (along the spine).
- Move horizontally outward approximately 1.5 inches from the spine.
- The GB25 point is located at the intersection of the line under the scapular angle and the spine.
- Move slightly downwards to find an area slightly more tender to the touch. That is the Gallbladder Shu point.
How Acupressure Points Can Provide Gallbladder Relief
Stimulating acupressure points can naturally provide relief for the gallbladder. Targeting specific points like Gallbladder Shu, Great Surge, Pinched Ravine, Yang Hill Spring and others can encourage regular bowel movement. Acupressure offers a natural method to potentially alleviate this discomfort of constipation.
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
Individual responses can vary. If these acupressure techniques don't offer the relief you're seeking, consider consulting with a licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner for tailored advice.
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