Abdominal distension can be relieved by choosing acupoints such as Foot Sanli, Tianshu, and Zhongcheng to be pressed and kneaded.
1. Foot Sanli: belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It is located on the lateral side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the calf’s nose, 1 transverse finger outside the anterior ridge of the tibia, on the line between the calf’s nose and Xiexi. It can tonify the middle Jiao and benefit the qi (treating qi deficiency by tonifying the spleen), strengthen the spleen and the stomach, regulate qi and lower the rebelliousness, etc. It is used for treating stomach pain, vomiting, choking, abdominal distension, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation and so on.
2. Tianshu: belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It is located in the abdomen, horizontally in the umbilicus, 2 inches away from the anterior midline. It can regulate Qi and relieve pain, and is used for abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
3. Middle epigastric region: belongs to the Ren meridian. It is located in the upper abdomen, 4 inches above the umbilicus and on the anterior midline. It can eliminate food stagnation (promote food digestion), and is used for stomach pain, abdominal distension, nausea (lack of appetite, reduced food intake), vomiting, etc.
4. Neiguan: belongs to the Pericardium Meridian of the Syncope Yin of the Hand. It is located in the anterior region of the forearm, 2 inches above the transverse stripe on the distal side of the palm of the wrist, between the tendon of the palmaris longus and the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis. It can harmonize the Stomach and lower the rebellious Qi (harmonize the Stomach Qi and bring down the upward rebellious Qi). It is used for stomach pain, vomiting, and eructation (hiccup).
Patients are advised to use the acupuncture point under the guidance of a doctor.