[To warn the squeamish, it involves bodily functions. To protect the innocent, all names have been changed.]
Don't say I didn't warn you.
One day, Freddie, who was a small child, was sitting on the toilet, trying to go. He was really uncomfortable. His mother, noticing his anguish, checked one of her many natural remedy books (Natural Healing For Children: An Essential Handbook for Parents
), thinking maybe she should give him some Vitamin C to get things moving. The book, however, suggested using acupressure to ease his constipation. As soon as she pushed the spot described in the book (which will forever be known as the Poop Button in their household- yes it deserves the capitalization), he immediately shouted, “I’m pooping.” As, indeed, he was. Later, Freddie’s mother was recounting the harrowing tale to a friend and proceeded to demonstrate the acupressure spot on herself. Within 5 minutes, she, too, was running toward the bathroom.Though the names have been changed, this story is 100% true.
So, you wanna know the spot that helps with constipation?
It's called the Sea of Energy (aka Conception Vessel 6) and is located three fingerwidths directly below the bellybutton.
A couple of tips to remember for acupressure…
-Always measure any ‘fingerwidths’ with the fingers of the person being acupressured. That keeps the ratios the same.
-Don’t push on the spot if you have long fingernails. You can use the eraser on the end of a pencil.
-Use firm pressure, but not super hard.
-Back off if this causes pain. If this happens, retry it very gently, slowly and steadily increasing the pressure. Also, focus on the breath if this happens, as it can help to release stress and pain.
-Sometimes this works in as little as 5 or 10 seconds. If it doesn't, feel free to continue applying pressure for 1 to 3 minutes. Don't hold it for more than 5 minutes, though.
-I would also like to add that, in our house, we don't have problems with chronic constipation and this method has consistently worked within a minute or two. For cases of chronic constipation, it might require more frequent (and maybe shorter) sessions of acupressure.
(Thanks, Britt, for asking for the clarification on this.)
Personally, I think there should be public service announcements about it.
It could be sponsored by "The Committee that Doesn’t Want to Sell You Anything or Make Money Off of You in Any Way, but Just Hopes that You Have a Pleasant Afternoon. Because the World is a Much Nicer Place when It’s Inhabitants Aren’t Constipated."
Pass it on.
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giggle giggle! making me laugh laugh laugh, but thanks for the truly useful information.
ReplyDeleteAs a mom who has seen functions of the human body that no man could keep his lunch after seeing (surely you can relate) this is actually VERY informative and will be saved in the "emergency" files of my mommy brain forever. Thanks Wendy! :)
ReplyDeleteWendy, you are PRICELESS!
ReplyDeleteWhere do I log on to sign up for the CTDWTSYAOMMOOYIAWBJHTYHAPABTWIAMNPWIIAC?
I think I could contribute to and gain a lot from that group!
;)
Not only is it valuable information, your presentation was priceless and spot on!! Thank you! I will be sharing this with a few people whose names I won't share to protect the guilty.
ReplyDeleteDo you have other buttons that you can share? Please? like eat-dinner-within-30-minutes button or don't-the-whining button?
ReplyDeleteHow long do you have to push the poop button?
ReplyDeleteBritt, excellent question! I've added the long answer up in the post, but the short answer is anywhere from 5 seconds to a maximum of 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteThank-you! This will help tremendously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete*snort* LOVE this--reposting now!!
ReplyDeleteBummer .. I'm guessing I shouldn't do this if the cause of constipation is pregnancy! Lol
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say "Thank You!" for this little tip. I've had some "potty problems," as my mother calls them, since I first got my period. My doctor has been trying to get me to use stool softeners for like a year now, I don't like them because they make me crampy. When I saw this post, I found the spot and pressed for about 30 seconds. Then I stopped, feeling rather silly. Now just let me say, that I usually have "trouble" in the mornings and have a number of things I need to do before I'm usually able to go: yoga stretches made to help digestive issues, self tummy massage, and a nice big cup of coffee. And often as not, none of that works anyway. This morning I didn't do ANY of it. I tell you-- not 30 seconds after I pressed "the button" I felt my tummy gurgling! I was like "No way!" SO I pressed it again for about a minute and low and behold--SUCCESS! Gonna try this again tomorrow to make sure it wasn't just a fluke, but SERIOUSLY amazing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIve tryed but I dont think I'm doing it right. three fingers down from the belly button that is the spot
ReplyDelete471Just wanted to say that if someone is experiencing CHRONIC constipation, it's probably time to change something in their diet in a major way. Ouch. More veggies, fruit, etc., that mean more fiber in the diet would be something to think about. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt can also be caused by medications; mainly pain medications and muscle relaxers; as well as a lot of stress in ones life. Speaking from personal experience, Fiber One bars and the like, as well as a lot of water and organic fruit juices and exercises are also good things to add to the daily routine to help with constipation.
DeleteWhat happens if you push if for over 5 min.?
ReplyDeleteYou explode!
DeleteLove this! Would you recommend sitting, standing or laying down to press poop button? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you thank you! 3 days without pooping and 3 minutes later it was well and truly on its way out! Can't believe it and will definitely not be keeping this a secret... Best ever
ReplyDeleteAs someone above has asked, what position should you be in when doing this?? Is this an already on the toilet trying to go kinda thing, or lying down, standing up, what?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! What if hubby (he's the one who needs a panic button), has large abdomen? I can't wait to try it myself. Funny story: My (40+) son often has these issues and wails like a baby. I can't wait to "help" him out with this suggestion!
ReplyDeleteThank you for EVERYTHING about this post! You are awesomeness X's infinity!
ReplyDeletewww.ourunfilteredlife.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! I am so grateful for the advice.
ReplyDeleteI have been suffering with constipation
off and on now for a while and I have
never heard of this, but... it works!
Thank you!
Do you have suggestions for those of us who are pregnant? Does the poop button still exist?
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness! I tried it and it worked! LOL
ReplyDeleteI do not suffer from constipation, but curiosity got the best of me and I tried this. I ended up "going" a little bit, all day long! Is there anyway to turn off the button? Luckily I work from home and have easy access to the bathroom. But, I think a warning to those who try this, would be to make sure you have a bathroom close by.
ReplyDeleteI'm floored. I was lying in my bed and read this and had to try. Amazing. 30years in the medical field and never once heard this. A true miracle for people. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I wonder if this would still work for those with large amounts of belly fat?! Because I'm trying to push that spot for quite some time, maybe trying a pencil eraser & laying down on my back might help! Thanks for the tip though!
ReplyDeleteMy belly button was removed and cosmetically remade due to post-mastectomy breast reconstruction surgery (belly tissue made into new breasts).... I've always felt like the dr put the belly button in the wrong place. So I wonder if I should measure three finger widths down from where my dr thought my belly button should be, or from where I think my belly button should be, or somewhere on one of my fake breasts?
ReplyDeleteWherever your waistline is the belly button sits right in the center.
DeleteBrilliant thanks - my poor baby is pushing one out now Fxd thanks to this great tip
ReplyDeleteOnly a pebble so far 😞
ReplyDeleteNot a clear out but more than a pebble! And much happier - thank u!
ReplyDeleteRose Marie, I worked as a nutritionist for 31 years and several foods really help. First suggestion is large glasses of water before meals and before bedtime. Try eating a whole grain cereal like oatmeal with an apple. Sweet potatoes, kale or spinach (any dark green veggie), carrots raw, apples raw, plums or grapes are really helpful.
ReplyDeleteI add additional fiber to my supplements daily by adding psyllium or flax meal. Remember, you must have a daily
regimen to keep everything on a regular flow.
DeborahC
Prunes, coffee, spinach, water w/ lemon juice
ReplyDeleteI will give a try.God bless you !!!
ReplyDeleteI have recently tried peppermint essential oil mixed with a carrier oil- I apply at night to my abdomen and the next morning I am having a decent b.m.
ReplyDeleteI will give the accupressure a shot, too!
Thank you for the tip!
I just had to pin this...The weird thing is, I must have figured this out and never realized to talk about it. I bet I have been using my "Poop Button " for quite a few years. I've had a gastric bypass and am on 14 different medications, so diarrhea and constipation have been part of my life 28 years. I don't know of a button to shut off diarrhea, but as for constipation, this is the real deal. I can also say that my button is very touchy/sensitive so I always start with a short button push. You can always push for longer as time passes.
ReplyDeleteSeriously best way to poop = to have a Hand Bidet Sprayer by the toilet. With these you don't really need Toilet Paper anymore and you can use it to spray some water up your pipes to get things moving with less straining. Helps with Constipation and Hemorrhoids and makes it less stressful. See bathroomsprayers.com.
ReplyDeleteOk this sounds crazy but it's true. My belly button is not where most people's are. Instead of being around waist line it's the width of my hand lower, in the lower abdomen. Any idea if the button is still in the same place?
ReplyDeleteDo you press all 3 fingers or just the 3rd one?
ReplyDeleteIt works!!!
ReplyDeleteAnon, you press where the circle is, the three fingers are used to show you how to measure how far down.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant must try this asap Dave my email address please thanks in advance regards
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post I now understand why I go to the bathroom a lot. I'm always pressing on my lower belly (i don't know why) but I find after doing so I have to use the rest room and I didn't know why...but now it all makes sense. Haha
ReplyDeleteHi All, I suffered horribly from constipation years ago. It was from a combination of bad relationships, a party life and unhealthy eating and drinking...usually embracing the diet of the person I was in a relationship with. After a colon cancer scare (age 30) I listen to my body (still working on the heart thing (which will be the death of me)). But I do embrace a more Vegan diet and "steamed" veggies and fresh fruit are a huge part of my daily diet and garden grown! Blessings to all. Keep the Faith and if it's not working for you, then change it and take the "Leap of Faith".
ReplyDeleteThought this post was so crazy, decided to try it anyway. Three days of not being able to go......pressed for about 1 min. I will admit....it works. Thank you for the tip!!
ReplyDeleteTaking probiotics will have a vastly positive impact on your digestive health. They’re great for overcoming problems like diarrhea and constipation. Probiotics will also reduce gas and flatulence.
ReplyDeleteThere are reports that the beneficial bacteria could also aid the recovery of individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and even food allergies.
thank you very much I will try this cause I am always having problems since my disease. so three finger tips thank you so much vicky
ReplyDeleteI know that as a child and now when I feel nauseous lying on my tummy with something on that point helps with that feeling too. Maybe it's releasing a blockage but another great thing to use with kids. Nothing like cuddling up with a favourite soft toy or hot water bottle when you feel sick in the guts.
ReplyDeleteI wanna try this on my 1 year old do i still use my 3 fingers down on his abdomen or his?
ReplyDeleteUnknown, you should measure using his fingers, which keeps the ratios the same. Good luck!
ReplyDelete