On a sunny afternoon, Aunt Li sat on a park bench with a deep melancholy in her eyes. Although her children are married and have a seemingly carefree life, her heart is clouded by unspeakable anxiety and depression. Every day, endless worries and worries made her feel suffocated like a mess. Just when she felt helpless, an old friend of hers introduced her to a simple but magical way to relieve her emotions by massaging two specific acupuncture points on her hands.
Yes, you heard it right. Sometimes, the answers to deep psychological problems are hidden in our own hands. In TCM meridian theory, there are specific acupuncture points that are believed to regulate the body's qi and blood, thus affecting our emotional state.
Emotional problems are more common than we think in our lives, especially in middle-aged and elderly people. Anxiety and depression aren't just about being in a bad mood. They are complex emotional responses that can be triggered by a variety of factors, including health problems, life stress, social circumstances, and even genetic factors.
Anxiety and depression are no ordinary annoyances. Anxiety is an emotional state in anticipation of negative future outcomes, while depression is a persistently low mood. These emotional states can affect a person's daily life, including sleep quality, appetite, energy levels, and even social activities.
In middle-aged and older adults, these emotional issues may be overlooked or misunderstood. Sometimes, people think that this is just a "normal part of old age", but in reality, it is a health issue that needs attention. Emotional problems can be caused by physiological changes, such as the onset of chronic diseases, hormonal changes, or changes in important roles in life, such as retirement or children leaving home.
It is very important to understand the nature of these emotional issues. Anxiety and depression are not signs of personal weakness, nor are they something that can simply be addressed by "cheering up". They are real health problems that require proper attention and treatment.
In traditional Chinese medicine, meridians are regarded as an invisible network in the human body, running through the whole body, acting as a channel for the movement of qi and blood, and playing an important role in maintaining physical health and emotional balance。In short, meridians are a series of connected routes through which qi and blood circulate through the body and support our life activities.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that problems such as poor mood, anxiety and depression are often related to poor qi and blood and blocked meridians. When the meridians are smooth and the flow of qi and blood is smooth, all parts of the body can receive sufficient nutrients and energy, so as to maintain a healthy state. On the contrary, if the meridians are blocked and the flow of qi and blood is not smooth, it may lead to physical dysfunction, which in turn affects the mood.
Two strange points in the hand, the unlocking key of the soul
Now, we focus on two key acupuncture points, Hegu and Neiguan, which are considered important in TCM to regulate mood, especially anxiety and depression.
Hegu Acupoint: The switch of emotions
The Hegu point is located in the hollow between the wrist, thumb and index finger. In TCM theory, this acupuncture point is an important acupuncture point in the large intestine meridian, which is closely related to regulating emotions and relieving stress. Massaging the Hegu acupoints can help unblock the meridians and promote the circulation of qi and blood, thus relieving anxiety and stress.
Neiguan acupoint: solace for the soul
The Neiguan acupoint is located on the inside of the wrist, about two inches above the horizontal stripe of the palm and wrist. It belongs to the pericardial meridian and is a very important acupuncture point, especially in regulating the mind and emotions. Massage at Neiguan acupoints can not only help relieve anxiety and depression, but also help improve sleep quality.
For middle-aged and elderly people, the rational use of these two acupuncture points for self-massage can provide themselves with a simple and easy emotional regulation tool in daily life. This method is not only non-existent, but also low-cost and easy to adhere to.
Massage techniques
Hegu acupoint massage: Use the thumb of the other hand to gently press the Hegu acupoint for 1-2 minutes and feel a slight soreness.
Neiguan acupoint massage:Also use the thumb of the other hand to press the Neiguan acupoint and gently rotate and massage for 1-2 minutes.
When performing a massage, it is recommended to keep your breathing steady and your mind relaxed. Sticking to it every day can effectively alleviate mood swings and improve quality of life.
Here, we would like to remind everyone that although acupressure is an effective adjunct, when emotional problems are severe, you should seek professional medical help in a timely manner and should not rely solely on self-massage**. At the same time, the intensity and frequency of the massage should be moderate to avoid discomfort caused by excessive massage.