Acupressure Massage for Ascites

Fluid in the Abdomen or Ascites

Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the space surrounding the organs in the abdomen. When ascites
is caused by cancer, it is called malignant ascites. Malignant ascites is most common in people
with the following cancers: 

 Breast cancer

 Colon cancer

 Gastrointestinal tract cancers, such as stomach and intestinal cancers

 Ovarian cancer

 Pancreatic cancer

 Uterine cancer

Symptoms of ascites

Ascites often causes a lot of discomfort. People with ascites may experience the following
symptoms:

 Weight gain

 Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea

 Abdominal swelling

 Sense of fullness or bloating

 Sense of heaviness

 Indigestion

 Nausea or vomiting

 Changes to the belly button

 Hemorrhoids, which causes painful swelling near the anus

 Ankle swelling

 Fatigue
 Decreased appetite
These are the acupressure points for ascites. Working on these points can help you get better
faster. You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you
have a free hand can be effective.

Acupressure Point SP4 — Gong Sun

Chinese Name: 公孫
Location: On the arch of the foot, in the hollow two finger-width away from the ball of the foot,
above the tendon of big toe.
Benefits: colitis, diverticulitis, crohn’s disease, gastric pain, vomiting, sour stomach, immune
deficiency disorders, chronic fatigue, cancer of the stomach, inflammation of the stomach,
gastric ulcers, internal hemorrhage, ascites, pleurisy, epilepsy, arthritis, depression, anxiety
attacks, irritable bowls.

Acupressure Point SP9 — Yin Ling Quan

Chinese Name: 陰陵泉
Location: On the inside of the leg, under the kneecap in the hallow just below the bulge. on the
lower border of the medial condyle of the knee bone (tibia), in the depression between the
posterior border of the tibia and gastrocnemius muscle.
Benefits: abdominal distention, edema, water retention, incontinence of urine, difficulty
urinating, not producing enough urine, kidney not able to filter enough urine, pain of the
external genitalia, insomnia, painful intercourse, low libido in male or female.

Acupressure Point ST25 — Tian Shu

Chinese Name: 天 樞
Location: 3 body inches lateral (to the side) to the center of the belly button.
Benefits: abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, gurgling sound in the abdomen
due to flatus, abdominal bloating, fullness, pain around the belly button, water retention in the
abdomen, irregular menstruation, premenstrual disorders (PMS)

Acupressure Point ST40 — Feng Long

Chinese Name: 豐隆
Location: 8 finger width above the lateral malleolus, two finger width lateral to the anterior
crest of the tibia.
Benefits: water retention, phlegm anywhere in the body, chest pain, asthma, excessive sputum,
abscesses in the internal organs, sore throat, pain of the lower leg, headaches, dizziness, mental
disorders, manic disorders, schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy.

It is important to drink plenty of warm water after the massage, to help clear away toxic
substances in our body.

Caution: You should consult with a healthcare professional before practicing Acupressure or
starting any diet, exercise, Chinese herbs or other supplementation programs.