Turns Out We Have A Button To Stop Indigestion. Here's How To Find It

A huge meal can be tasty on the tongue, but several hours later, your stomach might make you regret it. Indigestion occurs when your stomach acid irritates the lining of your digestive system. This stomach acid might move up your esophagus, or you could just feel uncomfortably full (per the National Health Service). You could turn to an antacid to alleviate indigestion, or you could turn to Chinese medicine to find relief.

Chinese medicine relies on the ancient technique of using needles to balance the flow of energy throughout your body (per the Mayo Clinic). Certain channels, called meridians, address particular ailments or conditions that practitioners believe to be where your qi, or life force, is blocked or in excess. Acupuncture involves a qualified acupuncture therapist trained to insert up to 20 needles into specific meridians. Rather than run to an acupuncturist for an emergency treatment for your indigestion, you can use acupressure on the Ren 12 acupoint, according to Selby Acupuncture. This point is situated on the midline of the abdomen, about a hand's width above your belly button.

Chinese medicine believes that stimulating the Ren 12 can balance your stomach and qi to remove pain. By strengthening the spleen, the Ren 12 helps in removing any dampness and phlegm that can result from excess. It might also calm your mind (per Me and Qi).

To apply pressure to the Ren 12 acupoint, first locate the point halfway between your belly button and the bottom of your sternum. Using either your thumb or index finger, apply firm (but not painful) pressure in a circular motion for a few minutes. While massaging the Ren 12, breathe slowly and deeply (per MD Anderson Cancer Center).

Massaging the Ren 12 acupoint might also be helpful for emotional stress, according to the Stram Center for Integrative Medicine. Chinese medicine maintains that your organs lose qi when you're worried, anxious, or irritated. This qi stagnation could result in indigestion. You want to avoid pressing into this point if you're pregnant because this area is stretching (per Acupuncture Points).

If applying pressure to the Ren 12 does not bring relief, you can try the Neiguan point located on the inside of your arm, three fingers wide below your wrist crease. Find the two tendons in this area, and use your thumb to press between these tendons. Massage clockwise for a minute or two, then massage counterclockwise for the same amount of time. Then move to the opposite hand and repeat. The Neiguan acupoint may alleviate nausea and vomiting (per Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center).

Sometimes, overindulging in alcohol can accompany overindulging in food. The Large Intestine 4 (LI-4) could address headaches and hangovers while also improving your digestion, according to Balance Charleston. You'll find the LI-4 on the back of your hand, at the fleshy part between your thumb and forefinger. Use the thumb of your opposite hand to apply pressure to this acupoint.

It's important to note that acupressure can be a helpful complementary approach. If you have persistent or severe digestive issues, it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.