Edema is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the body's extracellular spaces, leading to localized or generalized swelling. It is associated with various organ disorders in the body. There are numerous and complex causes of edema, which can be influenced by one's environment, lifestyle, and daily activities. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that if there is an imbalance in the meridians related to the kidneys, it can lead to edema. The most obvious symptoms include heavy limbs, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, and swollen hands and feet, especially the lower legs and abdomen. Additionally, there may be a lack of appetite, weakness in the limbs, a dislike for exercise, a desire to lie down after eating, and susceptibility to diarrhea. If you feel a sense of swelling between your fingers when you make a fist upon waking up in the morning, you may have edema. Causes of edema include: 1. External invasion of wind and dampness, lodging in the lungs, causing the lungs to lose their function of dispersing and descending, leading to the blockage of waterways, and the overflow of water fluid into the skin, resulting in edema. 2. Overexertion from diet or fatigue, injuring the spleen and stomach, causing a loss of transportation and transformation, water and dampness accumulate, and overflow into the skin, resulting in edema. 3. Excessive sexual activity, internally damaging the kidney essence, inability to transform qi and move water, causing internal retention of water dampness, which overflows into the skin and causes edema. For the following acupoints: for mild edema, moxibustion is applied to the Spirit Palace (CV-8) point; for edema of the head and face, moxibustion is applied to the Below the Arch (ST-7) point; for edema of the lower limbs, moxibustion is applied to the Earth Cure (SP-8) point, Continuing Flow (KI-7) point, and Spirit Palace (CV-8) point.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Try to control the intake of salt, avoid eating overly salty foods and pickled products, especially do not consume too many salty vegetables, to prevent the worsening of edema. 2. Appropriately control the intake of water. 3. Eat more foods that are beneficial for reducing swelling, such as adzuki beans, winter melon, carp, watermelon, and mung beans. 4. During work, get up every hour to walk around the office or knead and rub the calves to promote blood circulation. 5. Strengthen physical exercise to enhance physical fitness.