Press This Area On Your Stomach If You REALLY Need To Poop

Look, we need to talk about pooping. I know it's kind of gross and disgusting, but just like the book says, everybody poops.

Some people are as regular as rain. They get up in the morning do a number two and take a shower, while others may need to go at a different time every day. Some people go just once a day, while others can go two or more times a day. It's just how each individual's body works. 

The problem is when you know that you need to go because you're feeling bloated and backed up, but for some reason, you're unable to go.

Constipation can be painful and unpleasant. You can't force yourself to go if your body isn't cooperating. 

Photo: Tayra Lucero for Little Things

You can try laxatives, drink coffee, or possibly just sit on the toilet straining, but they don't always work.

According to an article on Redbook, there's something that you can do, which has a much higher chance of working: pressing the Poop Button.

The poop button is a spot on the stomach located three finger-lengths directly below your belly button. This spot is an acupressure, point and if you press it gently but firmly, it will encourage movement in your intestines. After about 15 minutes (make sure you're near a bathroom) you'll feel a familiar urge.

This is the Poop Button, aka Conception Vessel 6, aka Sea of Qi:

Photo: Tayra Lucero for Little Things

Stimulating this pressure point not only relaxes the abdomen and promotes pooping without any pain or discomfort, but it also helps relieve other symptoms associated with constipation: stomach pain, digestive issues, bloating, colitis, period cramps, and gas.

But there are a few things you need to remember when pushing the poop button:

1. When using finger widths to measure, use the fingers of the person being acupressured; it keeps the ratio the same.
2. Don't push on the spot with long fingernails. That's painful. Instead, use an eraser on the end of a pencil.
3. Use firm pressure, but don't overdo it. 
4. If pushing the poop button causes any pain, back off for a moment. Retry it very gently and slowly increase the pressure. 
5. Don't press the button for more than five minutes.

So there you have it! Next time you need to go but can't, try the poop button... but make sure you're close to a bathroom.