Seven secrets to promote bowel movements and acupressure: Simple exercises to clear accumulated stool

2026-05-25

7 Tips to Promote Bowel Movements

1. Multifiber

In your daily diet, eat more foods rich in dietary fiber, because dietary fiber has the effect of absorbing and retaining water, which helps to moisten and soften stool, making it easier to pass. So eat more vegetables and legumes, with a daily intake of at least 35-40 grams or more of dietary fiber, which can effectively promote intestinal peristalsis and prevent stool from lingering.

[Recommended Foods] Angelica sinensis, Polygonum multiflorum, Cassia seed, Plantago asiatica, kelp, tapioca pearls, black fungus, white fungus, shiitake mushrooms, red beans, mung beans, corn, etc., can all help soften stools. [Recommended Herbs] Aloe vera, rhubarb, and senna leaves should only be taken with a doctor's prescription.

2. Drink more water

Increasing your water intake is also essential! Because plenty of water helps soften stools. You should drink at least 8 large glasses of water a day, about 2000 ml. Of course, plain water, hot soup, and juice are all fine, but you should drink less strong tea and coffee so that your stools won't be dry and hard and difficult to pass through your intestines.

[Recommended Method] Drink 500 ml of warm water first thing in the morning to help with bowel movements.

3. Exercise more

Exercise is definitely beneficial. It can promote metabolism and bowel movements, so walking briskly for at least half an hour every day can make bowel movements smooth!

4. Multiple drug separation

Taking medication will more or less affect a person's gastrointestinal motility and absorption, and of course, bowel function will also be affected! So, to maintain good health, take less medication, and your bowel movements will be regular!

5. Relax more

When a person is under stress, their gastrointestinal tract is most sensitive. Indigestion, bloating, and other problems are caused by stress, which slows down intestinal peristalsis, making it difficult to completely push out stool, and also reduces the urge to defecate.

Therefore, it's important to relax and relieve stress at any time so that your intestines can function properly and help clear out accumulated waste.

6. Perform multiple checks

It is best to develop the habit of self-examining your stool after each bowel movement, because you can detect any abnormalities or diseases in your body early by observing the shape, amount, smell, and color of your stool.

On the other hand, this can also help you understand whether your stool is hard or soft, which can serve as a reference for improving your diet.

7. Multiple patterns

Everyone's bowel habits are different. Some people have bowel movements every day, while others have them every two days. As long as it is natural and smooth and there is no discomfort, it is normal. In addition, the time of each bowel movement should be fixed and regular to help the colon develop a natural habit. When you feel the urge to defecate, you should do so as soon as possible and not suppress or delay it.

Acupressure to help eliminate constipation

Abdominal acupoints

[Tianshu]Located about three finger-widths to the side of the navel. Following the clockwise direction of the large intestine, press the right Tianshu point first, then the left Tianshu point, applying some pressure. It is used to treat abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.

[Zhongwan]The midpoint between the solar plexus and the navel, approximately four inches above the navel. It can relieve abdominal bloating.

[Da Ju]First, go two inches below the navel, then two inches to the left and right, and you will find it. This acupoint can help eliminate accumulated stool and aid digestion.

Waist acupoints

[Dachangshu]The highest point of the lumbar spine (approximately where a belt would be), about two finger-widths to the left and right of the fourth lumbar vertebra. It is effective for lower back pain, diarrhea, and difficulty in defecation.

Hand acupoints

acupoints on the back of the hand

[Hegu acupoint]The area where the thumb and index finger are spread apart, also known as the tiger's mouth.

[Erjian]Located on the back of both hands, on the inner side of the third joint of the index finger. This point can be pressed when indigestion leads to difficulty defecating.

Foot acupoints

[Zusanli] Located three cun (approximately four finger widths) below the outer side of the knee. Massaging the Zusanli acupoint is very effective for digestive system disorders. You can use both hands to press and massage this acupoint.

Acupressure Techniques

★ Use the pads of your four fingers (index to little finger) to massage and press, or use your index finger alone to press and rub the acupoints; some acupoints can also be massaged with the force of the palm, such as Shenmen acupoint.

★ Toothpicks, thin black hairpins, mechanical pencils, and fingernails can all be used to gently prick acupoints, but be careful not to get injured.

★ Fill a cup with hot water and warm the acupoints.

Number of acupoint presses

★For those with difficulty defecating, press 20-30 times each time, 3 times a day.

★The index finger corresponds to the large intestine area. People with constipation should massage this area whenever they have time, and can also press it during bowel movements.

★ Depending on individual circumstances, it can be done daily or intermittently, which is beneficial for bowel movements.

Contraindications of acupressure

★When stimulating acupoints with other objects, please pay attention to safety and the amount of force used.

★ Patients with poor physical condition should avoid strong stimulation. Pregnant women are generally not advised to massage the Hegu acupoint.

Abdominal massage

Lie flat on your back and rub your palms together until they are warm. Then place one palm above your navel and massage your entire abdomen in a clockwise circular motion, starting directly above your navel, using the principle of concentric circles. Repeat 10-20 times.

Next, you can gradually expand the pressure area outwards from the navel as the center, which can induce the urge to defecate.

Dot-like pressing type

Using your fingertips as the center, press the abdomen around the navel in four directions, first on the right side, then on the left, massaging 30-50 times on each side to stimulate intestinal peristalsis.

S-shaped colonic finger pressure

Apply pressure to this area for about 3 minutes each time.

Simple exercises to make pooping easy

Abdominal breathing

1. Lie on your back on the bed with your head slightly elevated, tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth, eyes slightly closed, and feet together.

2. Perform deep abdominal breathing, 50-100 breaths each time, once in the morning and once in the evening. If saliva is secreted, swallow it slowly in 3 portions.

Sit-ups

Lie flat on the bed with your feet together and your hands naturally placed on your abdomen.

Perform approximately 20 sit-ups.

Massage tips!

1. It is best to massage one hour after a meal, or before going to bed and before getting up.

2. Before massaging the abdomen, you can first apply peppermint oil, Tiger Balm, or White Flower Oil to the abdomen.

3. After each session, it is recommended to drink a large glass of lightly salted water or sports drink to help eliminate intestinal bacteria.

Abdominal water therapy

You can use a strong jet of water from a showerhead to perform hydrotherapy on acupoints on the abdomen, which can aid digestion.

skinny

Colon hydrotherapy: amazing weight loss results?

With increasing emphasis on internal cleansing, colon hydrotherapy has become quite popular. However, besides detoxification, can colon hydrotherapy really help with weight loss?

What are the benefits of colon hydrotherapy?

Colonic hydrotherapy, which is touted in the market, does have many benefits, for example:

1. It can expel residual stool without injections, medication, or fasting, stimulate the intestinal wall, improve constipation and bloating, and thus prevent colorectal cancer.

2. Rebuild the coliform flora ecosystem, eliminate waste and toxins from the body, thereby adjusting physical condition and promoting metabolism.

3. Long-term health care can reduce abdominal size, improve skin complexion, and improve dark spots, resulting in naturally beautiful skin.

While it has many benefits, it's not the most fundamental solution. Returning to the basics, it's still essential to maintain a regular sleep schedule and diet. Don't rely too heavily on colon hydrotherapy!

How is colon hydrotherapy performed? How much does it cost?

A colonic hydrotherapy treatment typically takes about 40 minutes per session. For those with constipation, the treatment may take longer, up to an hour, as it is difficult to remove stool. Subsequent sessions will only take about 40 minutes. The number of sessions depends on individual lifestyle, diet, and physical condition.

Besides colon hydrotherapy, commercial colon hydrotherapy centers usually offer beautiful decor, comfortable spaces, and elegant music, along with special acupressure and muscle massage. However, such "cosmetic medicine" treatments are not cheap!

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