Abdominal massage in autumn helps prevent stomach diseases
Modern medicine believes that abdominal massage can increase blood flow to the abdominal muscles and intestinal smooth muscles, enhance the tension of the gastrointestinal inner wall muscles and lymphatic system function, and activate the secretory functions of organs like the stomach and intestines. This, in turn, strengthens the digestion, absorption, and excretion of food, significantly improving the peristaltic function of the large and small intestines, which is particularly beneficial for the elderly.
When the weather turns cool in autumn, some patients with stomach ailments, especially those with gastric and duodenal ulcers, often experience relapses. Severe cases can even lead to gastric bleeding or perforation. This is because after autumn, particularly in late autumn, the human body is stimulated by cold air, causing histidine levels in the blood to increase and gastric acid secretion to surge. The gastrointestinal tract then undergoes spasmodic contractions, and its resistance and adaptability decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the recurrence of stomach diseases as the weather cools. Abdominal massage not only prevents gastrointestinal diseases but also serves as an auxiliary treatment for many chronic conditions such as diabetes, nephritis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and pulmonary heart disease. Thus, abdominal massage is one of the better methods for self-health preservation and maintenance.
Abdominal massage can regulate the flow of energy throughout the body, balance yin and yang, eliminate old and generate new, nourish the five organs, expel external pathogens, and clear internal stagnation. Sun Simiao, a renowned physician and centenarian from the Tang Dynasty of China, once wrote: "The abdomen should be massaged frequently to ward off a hundred diseases."
Modern medicine believes that abdominal massage can increase blood flow to the abdominal muscles and intestinal smooth muscles, enhance the tension of the gastrointestinal inner wall muscles and lymphatic system function, and activate the secretory functions of organs like the stomach and intestines. This, in turn, strengthens the digestion, absorption, and excretion of food, significantly improving the peristaltic function of the large and small intestines, which is particularly beneficial for the elderly.
Abdominal massage can cause the gastrointestinal mucosa to produce a sufficient amount of prostaglandins, which can effectively prevent excessive gastric acid secretion and help prevent the occurrence of peptic ulcers. Abdominal massage can also reduce the accumulation of abdominal fat. Massaging the abdomen before bed can help with sleep and prevent insomnia. For patients with arteriosclerosis, hypertension, or cerebrovascular diseases, abdominal massage can help calm the liver and suppress yang, promoting a calm mind, smooth blood circulation, and providing a beneficial auxiliary therapeutic effect.
The specific method for abdominal massage is to perform it before going to sleep at night and after waking up in the morning. First, empty your bladder and wash your hands. Lie on your back with your knees slightly bent and your body relaxed. Place your left hand on your abdomen with the palm facing the navel, and place your right hand on top of your left hand. First, massage clockwise around the navel 50 times, then counter-clockwise 50 times. During the massage, apply moderate pressure, focus your attention, breathe naturally, and persevere. You will surely achieve noticeable health benefits.
However, it should be noted that abdominal massage should not be performed when the stomach is too full or too empty, and the bladder must be emptied first. It is also not advisable to perform abdominal massage if there is acute inflammation or malignant tumors in the abdomen.