Where is the Location of Sanjiao Shu and What Are Its Functions?

Digestive diseases are relatively common conditions, including indigestion, diarrhea, and vomiting. These symptoms can cause significant discomfort for patients. It is important to seek timely medical attention and undergo targeted treatment for digestive diseases. Patients with digestive diseases should maintain a light and healthy diet, and one approach to improving digestive health is through massaging the acupoint of Sanjiaoyu. However, many people are unaware of the location and functions of this acupoint. Let's explore this further.

The acupoint of Sanjiaoyu is located one inch beside the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra. Stimulating this point can not only treat digestive diseases such as indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea, but also kidney diseases in the lower burner, such as urinary stones and infections. Additionally, it can alleviate surrounding conditions like lumbar muscle strain. However, these treatments should be performed by a professional through acupuncture, moxibustion, or physical therapy.

The acupoint of Sanjiaoyu has multiple functions:

• Digestive System Diseases: It can relieve symptoms of gastritis, gastric spasms, indigestion, and enteritis.
• Urogenital Diseases: It can alleviate symptoms of nephritis, urinary retention, and spermatorrhea.
• Other Conditions: It can also prolong sexual desire, relieve back pain, fever, fatigue, acne, skin tags, diabetes, ascites, insomnia, neurasthenia, and lumbar muscle strain.

The person receiving the massage should lie prone. The masseuse should use both thumbs to gently press and rotate the acupoint of Sanjiaoyu clockwise for about 2 minutes, followed by counterclockwise rotation for another 2 minutes. The optimal effect is achieved when a local sensation of soreness and distension is felt.

Alternatively, the masseuse can use the pad of their thumb to firmly press the point while exhaling slowly for 6 seconds. This process should be repeated 20 times.

• Moxibustion Therapy: Gentle moxibustion using moxa sticks for 5-20 minutes daily can improve urinary retention and edema.
• Cupping Therapy: Retaining the cupping jar for 5-10 minutes every other day can alleviate urinary retention and edema.
• Scraping Therapy: Scraping the acupoint of Sanjiaoyu using a scraping tool from top to bottom with moderate force until a light rash appears can treat urinary retention and low back pain.

It is important to note that these treatments should be performed by a qualified practitioner to ensure safety and effectiveness.