4 Habits That Harm Kidneys and Acupoints to Protect Them

Despite the prevalence of kidney disease in the United States, up to 90 percent of adults with chronic kidney disease are unaware of their condition.
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The kidneys are essential organs responsible for eliminating waste and toxins from the body. Gradual deterioration of kidney function can lead to kidney failure and other health issues, such as strokes or heart attacks. Therefore, it’s advisable to change daily habits that harm the kidneys. What’s more, acupressure massage can help protect and strengthen them.

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than one-seventh of American adults suffer from chronic kidney disease, and nearly one-third of diabetes patients and one-fifth of hypertension patients have kidney issues. Despite the prevalence of kidney disease in the United States, up to 90 percent of adults with chronic kidney disease are unaware of their condition. Early-stage kidney disease typically presents without symptoms, and many people discover their condition only in the advanced stages.

4 Kidney-Harming Habits

The following habits harm the kidneys and should be corrected promptly:

1. Holding in Urine Frequently

Some people frequently refrain from urinating because of work or other reasons. When one holds in urine for an extended period, it accumulates in the bladder and may reflux back into the kidneys, causing kidney swelling, also known as hydronephrosis. This can damage kidney function and, in severe cases, lead to kidney failure. Therefore, it’s important to urinate promptly whenever the need arises.

2. Using Salt or Condiments Excessively

Many people enjoy dipping their food in ketchup or other processed condiments to enhance flavor. However, these condiments contain a high amount of salt and additives that must be filtered by the kidneys, thus increasing the kidneys’ workload. It’s recommended to reduce excessive intake of salt or condiments and opt for natural sea salt with lower sodium content as a substitute for highly processed table salt.

3. Drinking Coffee as a Substitute for Water

If you habitually consume coffee or other beverages throughout the day and forget to drink water, it can lead to insufficient hydration and reduced urine output and hinder the removal of toxins and waste from the body, potentially causing kidney damage. If your urine becomes dark yellow or tea-colored, your body is signaling that you need to drink water.
Some people drink water only when they feel thirsty, and when they do, they consume enormous quantities in a brief period. This places a high load on the kidneys within a brief time, which can harm them. It’s better to regularly replenish fluids before experiencing thirst. During this time, you'll notice that your urine is a pale yellow color, indicating better hydration.

4. Regularly Consuming Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are intended for consumption after physical activity to replenish lost electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, and salt. If you consume sports drinks without engaging in physical exercise, it can result in excessive salt intake and place an additional burden on the kidneys. Sports drinks are less burdensome when diluted two to five times before consumption.

4 Ways to Protect Your Kidneys

Here are some effective methods for kidney protection and kidney health.

1. No Salt or Sauces for 100 Days

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) text “The Essentials of Treating Miscellaneous Diseases” from the Qing Dynasty suggests that when a person has kidney problems leading to fluid retention and swelling known as edema, abstaining from salt and sauces completely for 100 days and maintaining a bland diet may provide relief. My mother-in-law’s kidney ailment was cured by following this method.

2. Homemade Natural Sports Drinks

After physical activity, the blood tends to become thicker, which can disrupt normal kidney metabolism. It’s dangerous if, after strenuous physical activity, you sweat heavily but don’t feel the urge to urinate. Over time, this can lead to kidney shrinkage and reduced function. Therefore, it’s important to replenish fluids promptly after sweating to maintain the body’s water balance.

Drinks made from natural ingredients, such as white grass root tea, reed root tea, green grass tea, and so forth, can replenish the minerals and ions lost during exercise. They’re natural and gentle on the kidneys, and they also have a diuretic effect and can help reduce water retention.

White grassroot tea. (Courtesy of Dr. Hu Naiwen)
White grassroot tea. Courtesy of Dr. Hu Naiwen
White grass (Imperata cylindrica) is a medicinal plant. A research review published in Molecules in 2021 indicates that 72 compounds have been identified and isolated from white grass. The main phytochemical components include saponins, flavonoids, and phenols. White grass’s bioactive ingredients have functions such as stopping bleeding, improving urination, enhancing the immune system, and being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-cancer.

White Grass Root Tea

Add 200 grams of white grass root to 8 1/2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes.

White grassroot has a mild sweet flavor, so there’s no need to add sugar.

It’s also suitable for people with high blood pressure or diabetes.

3. Acupoints for Kidney Health

Protecting your kidneys should be a daily effort so you don’t have problems later. In addition to improving your dietary habits and lifestyle, you can perform acupressure on specific points to promote kidney health.

In TCM, it’s understood that meridians serve as pathways for the flow of energy throughout the body, connecting the internal organs to various parts of the body. Along these meridians, certain points, known as acupoints, have specific functions. By stimulating these acupoints through methods such as acupuncture or acupressure, it’s possible to treat ailments related to the corresponding organs.

According to the ancient Chinese medical text “Huangdi Neijing,” the kidneys are located in the lower back and an inflexible lower back may indicate kidney exhaustion, suggesting severe kidney weakness.

You can perform self-massage on the yongquan acupressure point located on the soles of your feet. This is especially good for office workers who often experience fatigue and unbearable lower back pain because of long hours of sitting or mental stress. This massage helps nurture the kidneys and improve blood circulation. You can also use massage balls or sticks to stimulate the yongquan acupressure point for similar effects.

(The Epoch Times)
The Epoch Times

The taixi acupressure point is located in the depression just behind the inner ankle, and the fuliu acupressure point is about two inches above the taixi point. These are excellent acupressure points for kidney support. Massaging these points up and down repeatedly is beneficial for kidney care.

The taixi acupressure point is located in the depression just behind the inner ankle. (The Epoch Times)
The taixi acupressure point is located in the depression just behind the inner ankle. The Epoch Times
The fuliu acupressure point is about 2 inches above the taixi point. (The Epoch Times)
The fuliu acupressure point is about 2 inches above the taixi point. The Epoch Times

In TCM, it’s believed that good spleen and stomach health is essential for healthy kidneys. Therefore, when treating kidney diseases clinically, formulas to strengthen the spleen and stomach are often used to help improve kidney health. The zusanli acupressure point, located four fingers’ width below the outer knee, is a crucial point for toning the spleen and stomach. Pressing and massaging the zusanli point also benefits kidney health.

The zusanli acupressure point is located four fingers' width below the outer knee. (The Epoch Times)
The zusanli acupressure point is located four fingers' width below the outer knee. The Epoch Times

4. Ear Massage for Kidney Strengthening

According to TCM, there’s a close relationship between the five senses and five internal organs, with the ears corresponding to the kidneys. Massaging the ears regularly helps enhance kidney function and prevent kidney diseases. There are approximately 100 acupoints on the ears, and massaging them can help balance the body’s internal organs, benefiting not only the kidneys but also hearing and vision.

Some of the herbs and teas mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar to you, but most can be found in health food or Asian grocery stores. Because we all respond differently to consumable items, it’s advisable to consult a physician before beginning any herbal treatment plans.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
Naiwen Hu
Naiwen Hu is a traditional Chinese medicine physician at the Shanghai Tong Te Tang in Taipei, Taiwan, and a professor at the Nine Star University of Health Sciences in Sunnyvale, Calif. He also worked as a researcher of life science at the Stanford Research Institute. In his over 20 years of practice, he has treated more than 140,000 patients. He was known for successfully curing the fifth melanoma patient in the world by using traditional Chinese medicine. Hu currently hosts a YouTube health program that has 900,000 subscribers. He is also known for his popular road show on health and wellness held in various cities in Australia and North America.
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