Woman Learns How To Burp On Command, Debloat Herself In Seconds—By Touching A Specific Area On Her Legs: ‘I’m Shocked’

Everyone sometimes eats that thing that never seems to agree with them. For some, it’s the irresistible pull of a slawdog from a street vendor. For others, it’s that perfectly marinated, stir-fried spam. And then there are those who resist dairy products, despite knowing what will inevitably happen.

Then, the bubble guts show up. Think burping, bloating, and gas. It’s the kind of gas that seems less interested in making an exit and more like an inflated balloon, wedging itself where it is not wanted. Brit-living-in-South Africa Tara Berwin (@taraberwin) says she’s got a hack for that.

In a TikTok watched over 665,000 times, Berwin shares how to burp on command and debloat oneself in a matter of seconds. “I’ve just learned the wildest thing on TikTok,” she says into the camera.

Next she sets the camera down and backs up in her rolling chair, so more of the scene is visible. “When you’re feeling bloated, go four fingers down from the [exterior] side of your knee on like your shin area,” she says. Then, she instructs the audience, saying, “You just need to massage it.”

She’s rubbing both legs. After a couple of seconds, she audibly burps. “That’s nuts,” she laughingly says.

In the caption she writes, “Reason 1,000 I will never be deleting this app.”

‘I Tried It’

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the technique works. This writer gave the leg massage trick a try, for the sake of journalism. Initially, it didn’t seem to work. But shortly after stopping the mini-massage, I belched. Then I belched three more times.

It felt good, and I’m not the only one who’s tried it.

Angela (@angela.m408) said, “Tara it’s 1:30am and you got me massaging my shins.” She did not share whether she had a successful burp or not.

Haley was initially skeptical. She shared, “I did it nothing happened then I started scrolling. Got about 10 scrolls in and I burped so hard I threw up in my mouth a little bit.” Yikes.

Science entered the chat. “That’s called ST36, and [it is an] acupuncture point,” Sam Lopez (@samm.llopez) said.

Then an alleged licensed acupuncturist chimed in, saying, “…why do a bunch of y’all in the comments know about ST36? I’m shocked.”

Acupuncture & Acupressure: What Is ST36?

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a traditional technique. It balances the life force, or flow of energy known as chi or qi (chee), through pathways called meridians. Practitioners insert thin needles into meridian points in the skin, explains the Mayo Clinic. Ears, arms, and legs are common points for insertion, though migraine treatments can involve needles in the head or neck, too.

Acupressure works the same points through massage instead of needles. Research is ongoing, but the Cleveland Clinic reports that it can be used to “soothe physical symptoms and calm the mind.” The clinic backs Berwin’s claim, saying, “Stimulating specific points may help with issues like constipation, gas or bloating.”

TCM is an ancient method of healing that dates back at least 2,200 years. The earliest known written record of Chinese medicine is the Huangdi neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) from the 3rd century BCE. That book provided the basis for the concepts that are still used in acupuncture today. Though acupuncture and TCM have been viewed with suspicion by some, in China, the practice is integrated into mainstream healthcare. Many Chinese hospitals use it as supportive care in conjunction with physician-led care.

ST36, the point mentioned in Berwin’s comments, is an acupuncture/pressure point that correlates to indigestion and gastric pain (among other issues). So the next time you’re feeling uncomfortably windy, perhaps go sit alone and rub the anterior part of your leg, just below the knee. The worst thing that could happen is you let out a burp so mighty it shakes the foundations of your home.

BroBible reached out to Berwin via TikTok direct message and with a comment on her post. We’ll update this article if she replies with any more life (or gut) changing tips.