Have you ever experienced muscle soreness, stiffness, numbness, or pain from your neck to your lower back after a full day of labor? This is especially common among office workers. The main reason is that the body often has issues with poor blood and energy circulation, and prolonged sitting can obstruct the flow of energy and blood in the lower limbs, leading to blocked meridians, followed by soreness, numbness, and pain. Here are 7 simple tricks to help relieve discomfort!
- Roll and massage the Houxi acupoint: Protect the cervical and lumbar spine
Place your hands at the Houxi acupoint (located on the little finger side, near the base of the pinky when you make a fist) on the edge of the table (like the motion of tapping the table with a fist). Use your wrist joint to gently roll your hands back and forth. This will stimulate the area, and you may feel a slight ache. Spend just three minutes each day to do this. Over time, it can have a very positive effect on your cervical and lumbar spine, and is also great for protecting your vision.
The Houxi acupoint is located on the hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and is connected to the governing meridian, so it has the effect of relaxing muscles, relieving spasms, and stimulating the mind.
- Tap the elbow crease: Eliminate heart and lung heat and toxins
The elbow crease (where the arm and elbow joint meet) is a densely populated area of meridians, with the Lung, Pericardium, and Heart meridians passing through it. Tapping the elbow crease can help expel excess heat and toxins from the heart and lungs. When tapping, keep your palm relaxed and apply firm, rhythmic taps. Start with the left elbow crease, then move to the right, tapping for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the area turns slightly red.
Tip: After tapping, it is recommended to drink a cup of warm water immediately to help accelerate the detoxification process.
The Huangdi Neijing states: “There are eight deficiencies in the human body. If the lungs or heart are affected by evil qi, the qi will remain in the two elbows. If the liver is affected by evil qi, the qi will flow to the two armpits. If the spleen is affected by evil qi, the qi will flow to the two hips (the front of the thighs). If the kidneys are affected by evil qi, the qi will flow to the two knees.” External evil qi tends to accumulate in the body’s sides, such as the elbows, armpits, hips, and knees, leading to stagnation in the meridians and impaired flow of qi and blood. The two elbows, two armpits, two hips, and two knees are collectively known as the “Eight Deficiencies,” areas where the five internal organs store evil qi. Therefore, tapping these “Eight Deficiencies” can help expel the evil qi from the five organs.
- Yoga Butterfly Pose: Promoting Blood Circulation in the Back and Sacral Area
After returning home in the evening, you can try this exercise: Hold your toes with both hands, open your knees to the sides, and try to bring them closer to the ground. Keep your waist straight, and gently vibrate your knees towards the floor in a rhythmic motion. Perform for 10 minutes daily, breathing slowly in sync with the movement, and allow your whole body to relax. The Butterfly Pose in yoga helps stretch and strengthen the pelvic area, promoting blood circulation to the pelvis, nourishing organs such as the bladder and kidneys, and effectively stretching the back and hips. It also enhances flexibility. Doing this before bed can help ease the day’s fatigue and prepare you for a restful sleep.
- Rubbing the Face
Rub your hands until they feel warm, then gently rub your face 60 times. Use your palms to softly glide over your face.
Recommendation: You can try this after waking up, before going to bed, or whenever your eyes feel tired.
- Raising Both Arms to Protect the Shoulders and Neck
Raise both arms to head height, aiming for your arms to be as close to your ears as possible. Hold this stretch for 5 minutes, then relax your arms for 5 seconds before repeating the action 3 times. During the stretch, you may feel tension in your shoulders, neck, and back. After completing the exercise, both shoulders and neck will feel much more relaxed. This movement helps to relieve tension in the trapezius, rhomboid, and levator scapulae muscles, relaxing the muscles around the shoulder blades and promoting relaxation of the neck area.
- Extending Both Arms Outward with Thumbs Pointing Down: Relieve Arm and Back Fatigue
Hold this position for 5 minutes, then relax for a moment before repeating the action 3 more times.
- Press and Massage the Third Eye and Both Temples: Improve Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Function
Do 40 repetitions for each session. This technique helps regulate the endocrine system, improve heart and brain vascular function, and calm the mind.
7 simple tips to relieve those unexplained aches! Of course, if the situation continues to worsen, it’s important to see a doctor or consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
