Chapter Thirty-Seven: Commonly Used Massage Techniques for Health Preservation: Pressing, Rubbing, Pushing, Grasping, Kneading, etc.
Common massage therapy methods
Massage, known in ancient times as "anqiao" and during the Ming and Qing dynasties as "tuina," is a health-preserving method that uses the skills of the hands and fingers to massage certain parts or acupoints of the body, or in conjunction with specific limb movements, to unblock qi and blood, balance yin and yang, and regulate the body's physiological and pathological conditions, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing and treating diseases.
Massage therapy is a simple, safe, and reliable method of health preservation. It has always been highly valued by health experts and is regarded as a way to strengthen the body, prolong life, and become a popular health care method among the general public.
I. Commonly Used Massage Techniques
(I) According to the method
1. Operating Method
Apply gradual downward pressure to specific areas or acupoints on the body using your thumb or the heel of your palm, and hold the pressure there. This method is applicable to all parts of the body. There are various other methods, including finger pressing, palm pressing, and elbow pressing.
(1) Finger pressing method: The contact area is small, and the intensity of stimulation is easy to control and adjust. It can not only open blockages, dispel cold and relieve pain, but also maintain health and beauty. It is one of the most commonly used massage techniques.
(2) Palm pressing method: The contact area is larger and the stimulation is gentler. It is suitable for treating areas with a larger and flatter surface, such as the lower back and abdomen.
(3) Elbow flexion method: Press the body surface with the protruding eagle beak part when the elbow is flexed. This method has high pressure and strong stimulation, so it is only suitable for areas with well-developed and thick muscles.
2. Efficacy and Functions
Pressing is often combined with kneading to form a combined pressing and kneading technique. Pressing has the effects of relaxing muscles, opening blockages, promoting blood circulation, and relieving pain.
(II) Mofa
1. Operating Method
Apply the palm or fingertips to the surface of the acupoints on the body, and use the wrist joint and forearm to make rhythmic circular motions in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This massage technique is often used on the chest, abdomen, and rib area, and is further divided into finger massage, palm massage, and palm root massage.
(1) Finger massage: Place the index, middle and ring fingers on a certain part of the body and make rhythmic circular movements with the wrist joint as the center, along with the palm and fingers.
(2) Palm massage: Place the palm on a certain part and make rhythmic circular movements with the wrist joint as the center, along with the palm and fingers.
(3) Palm Heel Rubbing Method: Use the thenar and hypothenar eminences of the palm to rub the body. When rubbing, the fingers should be slightly raised and the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints should be slightly bent. Swing the wrist from side to side. The two hands can be used alternately.
2. Efficacy and Functions
Mofa has the effects of relieving chest tightness and regulating qi, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and enhancing appetite.
(III) Deduction Method
1. Operating Method
With four fingers together and pressed firmly against the skin, move them in a straight line in one direction. This pushing technique is often used on the head, face, neck, and distal extremities, and can be categorized into horizontal pushing, straight pushing, rotary pushing, and combined pushing. We will only explain the horizontal pushing technique here. The horizontal pushing technique is further divided into finger horizontal pushing, palm horizontal pushing, and elbow horizontal pushing.
(1) Finger pushing method: Use the pad of the thumb to apply force, and spread the other four fingers apart to assist, pushing in the direction of the meridian or parallel to the muscle fibers. This method is often used on the shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, waist, hips and limbs.
(2) Palm pushing method: Place your palm flat on the skin and push in a certain direction, focusing on the heel of your palm. You can also overlap your palms and push in a certain direction. This method is often used for larger areas.
(3) Elbow Push Method: After bending the elbow, use the olecranon process to push in a certain direction. This method has a strong stimulating force and is only suitable for areas with more abundant and developed muscles, such as the buttocks and the bladder meridian on both sides of the spine in the lower back.
2. Efficacy and Functions
The massage technique has the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving spasms and pain, and reducing swelling.
(iv) Taking Method
1. Operating Method
The act of pinching and lifting is called "na" (拿). It involves placing the thumb and other fingers on a specific part of the body or acupoint and applying symmetrical force, alternating between tightening and loosening the grip. Na is often used on the neck, shoulders, limbs, and other areas or acupoints, and is frequently used as a finishing touch in massage.
2. Efficacy and Functions
The method of taking the medicine has the effects of dispelling wind and cold, dredging the meridians and collaterals, and relieving pain.
(V) Kneading Method
1. Operating Method
Apply the spiral surface of your fingers or the palm to the acupoints on the body and perform gentle, slow, circular kneading motions. This kneading technique is applicable to all parts of the body and is further divided into finger kneading, thenar kneading, and palm heel kneading, among others.
(1) Finger kneading method: Use the thumb, middle finger, index finger, middle finger, or ring finger to gently press on a certain acupoint or area and make a gentle, small-amplitude circular kneading motion.
(2) Thenar eminence kneading: Place the thenar eminence of the palm on a certain area or acupoint and gently knead in a circular motion.
(3) Palm heel kneading method: Use the palm heel to exert force, relax the wrist, and use the wrist joint and forearm to make small-amplitude rotating kneading motions.
2. Efficacy and Functions
The kneading method has the effects of relieving chest tightness and regulating qi, eliminating stagnation and promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling and relieving pain.
(vi) Rubbing method
1. Operating Method
Use the thenar eminence, palm heel, or hypothenar eminence of your palm to rub a certain part of the body back and forth to generate heat.
2. Efficacy and effects: Rubbing method has the effects of invigorating qi and nourishing blood, promoting blood circulation and unblocking collaterals, dispelling wind and dampness, and warming the meridians and dispelling cold.