[Click! Health] "Common Mid-Summer Ailments, Solved in 1 Minute with Simple Acupressure"

After a long rainy season ends and a heatwave arrives, the hot and humid weather can easily cause various symptoms in the body. Common symptoms include insomnia, air conditioning sickness, digestive disorders, loss of appetite, and stress.

Summer symptoms are not only difficult to manage but can also develop into more serious illnesses if they persist for a long time, so caution is necessary. We explored effective health acupressure methods to alleviate these common summer ailments with Director Kang Dohyun of Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital.

Wangol Point.
[Photo by Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital]

First, for insomnia, Director Kang explains that pressing the Wanggol acupoint can help relax the entire body. Pressing the Wanggol point can induce sleep. During summer tropical nights, many people have trouble sleeping, and even if they fall asleep, continued discomfort from the heat can lead to insomnia accompanied by headaches, fatigue, and lethargy.

When you cannot get proper restful sleep like this, acupressure on the 'Wanggol (完骨穴)' point is beneficial. The Wanggol point is located in a hollow behind the protruding bone behind the ear and has the effect of relaxing the whole body to induce sleep. Before going to bed, gently press the Wanggol point for more than 10 seconds and repeat this more than five times. Massaging the entire nape area around the Wanggol point can enhance the effect.

Daechu Point. [Photo by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine]

In summer, due to the heat, air conditioners are often set strongly in offices, public places, and public transportation to keep indoor temperatures low. This can cause air conditioning sickness, which presents symptoms similar to a cold, including chills and fever. In such cases, pressing the 'Daechu (大椎穴)' acupoint, located just below the most protruding bone when you bow your head, can promote metabolism and boost immunity, helping to relieve cold symptoms such as cough and fever. Director Kang explains that gently pressing or rubbing the Daechu point with the index and middle fingers for 15 seconds can also help relieve fatigue.

Major blood transfusion. [Photo by Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital]

Digestive disorders such as stomach upset and diarrhea also frequently occur in summer. This is because food spoils more easily compared to winter. Eating a lot of cold food to avoid the heat is also a major cause of stomach upset. If digestive problems persist during summer, it is good to frequently apply acupressure to the 'Daechangsu (大腸兪穴)' point. The Daechangsu point is located on the lower back, about 3 to 4 cm to the sides from the position directly opposite the navel. Pressing this point can reduce digestive disorders such as stomach upset, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating. Since this acupoint is on the back, it is more effective with the help of family or people around you.

Intraosseous injection.
[Photo by Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital]

If you lose your appetite in hot weather, pressing the Naegwan point can be helpful. The humid and hot weather easily causes fatigue and tiredness, which in turn diminishes appetite. The 'Naegwan (內關穴)' point is located about 3 to 4 cm inward from the center of the wrist crease. Pressing this point about 20 times helps strengthen weakened stomach function and restore digestive power. It also stimulates appetite when loss of appetite is caused by fatigue or stress.

Sinmaek Point.
[Photo by Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital]

There is also an acupoint that can help relieve summer stress. Summer is a season with a high discomfort index due to the heat. This often causes irritability and excessive stress. Accumulated stress can trigger impulsive behavior and headaches, and in severe cases, lead to depressive symptoms. At such times, clearing your mind and slowly pressing the 'Sinmaek (申脈穴)' point located below the outer ankle bone is a good method. Repeatedly pressing this point more than 10 times can have a calming effect on the mind. It also provides stability in managing mental illnesses such as depression.

Director Kang Dohyun of Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital said, "Every year around this time, unbearable heatwaves continue. Prolonged exposure to heat lowers not only physical ability but also immunity, making it easier to suffer from various diseases," and advised, "During such times, it is better to pay more attention to health and develop a habit of regularly applying acupressure in daily life."

Director Kang Dohyun of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. [Photo by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.