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"Oops, this calf is pressed every day, it's really comfortable." Uncle Li always habitually recited such a sentence every night before going to bed. Uncle Li is 61 years old this year and is a barber at the door of a common people's house.
Eight months ago, while watching TV, he overheard a wellness program that mentioned that massaging the calves every day before bed has many benefits. When Uncle Li heard this, he felt that this method was simple and easy, and he had no special taboos, so he started this health journey of massaging his calves.
Every night, Uncle Li would spend about 15 minutes massaging his hands from his ankles all the way to his knees. He is skillful and has moderate strength, and he will change some pressing techniques from time to time, and sometimes he will even use some Chinese medicine oil to assist in massage. Uncle Li persisted in this habit for eight months.
One day eight months later, Uncle Li went to the hospital for a physical examination. The doctor's surname is Zhang and he is an experienced internist. Dr. Zhang looked at Uncle Li's physical examination report and couldn't help but praise him again and again: "Uncle Li, your blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids are all within the normal range, and your leg muscles look very healthy." ”
Dr. Zhang explained in detail the effects of massaging the calves on the body every day before bedtime, massaging the calves every day can improve blood circulation. The calf area is the "second heart" of the human body because there are many important blood vessels and muscle groups here.
When we massage the calf, it can effectively stimulate these blood vessels and muscles to help the blood return to the heart better, and regular calf massage can increase the venous return efficiency by about 15%, thereby reducing the probability of varicose veins in the lower limbs.
Massaging your calves can help relieve fatigue, and many people often feel heavy and sore in their legs due to the stress of work or life. By massaging the calves, you can relax tense muscles and relieve fatigue caused by standing or sitting for long periods of time. Massaging your calves also boosts immunity, which may sound a bit incredible.
However, traditional Chinese medicine believes that there are many important acupuncture points in the calf area, such as Sanyinjiao, Zusanli, etc., which are closely related to the human body's internal organs. By massaging these acupuncture points, the endocrine system can be regulated and the body's ability to resist disease can be enhanced. Massaging the calves every day for three months can increase the activity of immune cells by about 10%.
In addition, massaging the calves can also improve sleep quality. Many elderly people experience insomnia or poor sleep quality. By massaging your calves before bedtime, you can relax the muscles of the whole body, relieve nervous tension, and help the body enter a more relaxed state, making it easier to fall asleep.
More than 70% of respondents said that by massaging their calves daily, they fell asleep by about 30 minutes less and woke up less often during the night.
After listening to Dr. Zhang's explanation, Uncle Li couldn't be happier. It turns out that this little habit of my daily life has so many benefits. Not only that, but he also plans to recommend this method to his old friends so that everyone can benefit from it.
You may wonder why massaging your calves has such a miraculous effect. There are profound biological and medical principles behind this. The lower leg is an important hub of blood circulation in the human body.
Venous blood flows back from the feet to the heart, relying primarily on the contraction and relaxation of the calf muscles. By massaging the calves, this muscle contraction process can be simulated, helping venous blood to flow better to the heart, thus improving the efficiency of blood circulation. The improvement of blood circulation can effectively prevent and alleviate the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
The calf area is rich in nerve endings, and massaging these nerve endings can stimulate the central nervous system and regulate various body functions. Especially in times of stress, massaging the calves can effectively relieve tension in the nervous system and help the body restore balance.
In addition, there are many lymphatic vessels in the lower legs, which can be activated by massage to promote lymphatic flow, which helps to flush out excess toxins and waste products from the body, and also improves the efficiency of the immune system. Improving the flow of lymphatic fluid has significant benefits for enhancing our detoxification function and overall well-being.
Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that the acupuncture points in the lower leg area are closely related to the five internal organs of the human body. By massaging these acupuncture points, the function of the internal organs can be regulated and a harmonious balance within the body can be promoted. This is why many TCM massage therapists recommend calf massage as a simple and effective method of health preservation.
Since Uncle Li started massaging his calves, not only have the indicators of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids become normal, but there is also a very obvious change, and he found that his digestive system has become very good. It turned out that the problem of constipation was cured without medicine, and my stomach was no longer bloated as before. The reason for this is actually closely related to massaging the calves.
The core parts of the digestive system are the stomach and intestines, which are responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. And the proper functioning of these organs requires an adequate blood supply and good neuromodulation. Massaging the calves daily can indirectly improve the function of the digestive system by promoting blood circulation and regulation of the nervous system.
In this fast-paced society, many people often neglect to pay attention to their bodies because of the pressure of work and life. By massaging our calves every day, we can find a peaceful moment in our busy lives, relax and improve our overall quality of life.
Massaging your calves is a simple yet effective way to maintain your health. It not only promotes blood circulation, relieves fatigue, improves immunity, but also improves sleep quality.
In these hectic times, many people neglect to pay attention to their bodies because of the stress of work and life. In fact, as long as you take a few minutes a day to give yourself a calf massage, you can reap unexpected health results. This simple method is not only effective for the elderly, but also for the young.
Insist on massaging your calves every day before going to bed to make your body healthier and your life better. Health is the greatest asset for each of us, and the way to stay healthy is often the simplest and easiest habits to stick to. May everyone have a healthy and happy life.
What do you think about massaging your calves before bed? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
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[1] Wang Xiangdong. Research Progress on Exercise Health Evaluation of the Disabled Elderly, Research on Aging, 2022-03-25