Chinese medicine believes that poor appetite may be caused by weakness of the spleen and stomach, spleen dyskinesia (dysfunction of the spleen’s transportation and digestion functions), and therefore can be treated by selecting acupuncture points that strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach. Commonly used acupoints include Spleen Yu, the middle epigastric region and the foot Sanli.
1. Spleen Yu: belongs to the Foot Taiyin Bladder Meridian, on the back, when the 11th thoracic vertebra under the spinous process, 1.5 inches aside. Spleen Yu has the function of strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, and can be used to treat bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion and other spleen and stomach disorders.
2. Middle Epigastric Point: belonging to the Ren Vessel, it is located in the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 inches above the umbilicus. This point has the effect of harmonizing the stomach and strengthening the spleen, and can be used to treat indigestion, stomach pain, bloating and other stomach disorders.
3. Foot Sanli Point: belonging to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, it is located on the lateral side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the calf’s nose, on the line between the calf’s nose and Xiexi. Foot Sanli point has the function of regulating the spleen and stomach, and is the main treatment for stomach pain, vomiting, eructation (hiccup), abdominal distension, abdominal pain and other spleen and stomach disorders.
Patients with poor appetite are advised to go to the hospital in time and follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment to avoid delays. Acupuncture and other Chinese medicine physiotherapy should be operated by professional physicians, do not operate privately, so as not to cause damage to the organism.