As early as the Ming Dynasty in China, the popular "sixteen clothes for health preservation" advocated that people should "pinch the ancient method", that is, "qi should be frequently raised". Gu Dao actually means anus here. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is this truth that middle qi should be nurtured.
The specific action is to tuck in the abdomen when inhaling, quickly contract and lift the anus and perineum, pause for 2-3 seconds, then slowly relax and exhale, and repeat 10- 15 times. Frequent lifting of anus is helpful for rising yang, dredging channels and activating collaterals, warming five internal organs, prolonging life, and can prevent and treat diseases such as proctoptosis, hemorrhoids, impotence, premature ejaculation, enuresis and frequent urination.
Frequent anal lifting can restrain urethra and relieve urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is a problem for many adult women. Frequent anal lifting can enhance the tension of pelvic floor muscles, enhance the impedance of urethra, reduce the overactive reaction of bladder muscles, and restore and strengthen the function of inhibiting urination.
Frequent anal lifting can promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis and eliminate hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are caused by anal varicose veins and poor blood return. When lifting qi and contracting anus, the perianal vein will be squeezed out, so that the local venous return is smooth. In particular, when we exhale, we choose to contract the anus and use lower intra-abdominal pressure, which is more conducive to the return of anal venous blood.
Often lifting the anus can protect the prostate. About half of male middle-aged and elderly people's dysuria is related to prostatic hypertrophy. The action of lifting anus can activate the pelvic floor muscles such as levator ani, pubic coccyx muscle and urethral sphincter, as well as the circulatory metabolism of nerves, blood vessels and various organs and tissues, thus alleviating prostatic hypertrophy and inflammation, which has a good effect on improving dysuria.
Frequently lifting the anus can strengthen the perineum and improve the "sex" interest. Middle-aged women, especially those who give birth through vagina, fetal head compression can lead to relaxation of pelvic floor and vaginal muscles, which will be aggravated by vaginal dilatation or ligament tear during delivery. Frequent anal lifting can make the whole pelvic floor muscles tough, which is beneficial to the blood supply of reproductive organs and enhance sexual sensitivity, thus improving the quality of husband and wife's sexual life and promoting family harmony.