1. Pressing Method: Using the thumb or palm root to press down steadily on a specific area or point, pressing and holding without being rigid. This is a guiding technique applicable to all parts of the body. Clinically, pressing methods include finger pressing, palm pressing, and elbow pressing.
• Finger Pressing: Smaller contact area, easier to control the intensity of stimulation. It can open blockages, dispel cold, relieve pain, and is also beneficial for beauty and health. It is one of the most commonly used health-preserving massage techniques. For example, regularly pressing facial and ocular points can enhance beauty and protect vision.
• Palm Pressing: Larger contact area, gentler stimulation, suitable for larger, flatter areas such as the back and abdomen.
• Elbow Pressing: Using the prominent olecranon process when the elbow is bent to press the body surface. This method delivers strong pressure and intense stimulation, suitable only for thick, muscular areas such as the waist and buttocks.
During pressing, the contact area must firmly adhere to the body surface without moving. Pressure should gradually increase from light to heavy, avoiding sudden, forceful pressing. Pressing is often combined with rubbing to form the "press-rub" compound technique—after reaching a certain depth of pressure, perform slow, small-amplitude rubbing to make the technique both firm and gentle, combining strength with softness.
2. Rubbing Method: The palm or finger surface is placed on the acupoint surface, and the wrist joint, along with the forearm, performs rhythmic circular motions clockwise or counterclockwise. Rubbing methods include finger rubbing, palm rubbing, and palm root rubbing.
• Finger Rubbing: Using the surfaces of the index, middle, and ring fingers placed on a specific area, with the wrist joint as the center, performing rhythmic circular movements involving the palm and fingers.
• Palm Rubbing: Using the palm surface placed on a specific area, with the wrist joint as the center, performing rhythmic circular movements involving the palm and fingers.
• Palm Root Rubbing: Using the large and small fish-like parts of the palm root to perform rubbing movements on the body. The fingers are slightly raised, and the joints of the fingers and palm are slightly bent, with the wrist providing left-right oscillation. The operation can be alternated between both hands.
When using the rubbing method, the elbow joint should be naturally bent, the wrist relaxed, the fingers and palm naturally extended, and the movements should be smooth and coordinated. The frequency should be around 120 times per minute. This method provides light, gentle stimulation and is commonly used on the chest, abdomen, and rib areas. Regularly using the rubbing method to massage the abdomen and ribs can promote smooth qi flow, relieve chest tightness, regulate the spleen and stomach, and increase appetite.
3. Pushing Method: Four fingers are joined together and pressed firmly against the skin, pushing or squeezing the muscle upward or sideways. Pushing methods include flat pushing, straight pushing, rotary pushing, and combined pushing. Only the flat pushing method is explained here. Flat pushing includes finger flat pushing, palm flat pushing, and elbow flat pushing:
• Finger Flat Pushing: Using the surface of the thumb, with the other four fingers spread to assist, push along the course of the meridian or parallel to the muscle fibers. This method is commonly used on the shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, waist, buttocks, and limbs.
• Palm Flat Pushing: Placing the flat palm on the skin, focusing on the palm root, and pushing in a certain direction, or using both palms stacked to push in a certain direction. This method is commonly used on larger areas.
• Elbow Flat Pushing: Bending the elbow and using the olecranon process to push in a certain direction. This method delivers strong stimulation and is only suitable for thicker, more developed muscle areas, such as the buttocks and the bladder meridian sides of the back and spine.
When using the pushing method, the fingers, palm, or elbow must firmly adhere to the body surface, with steady and slow, even pressure. This technique can be used on any part of the body, enhancing muscle excitability, promoting blood circulation, and having the effect of relaxing tendons and activating meridians.
4. Grabbing Method: "Grabbing" means lifting and pinching. This method uses the thumb and the tips of the index and middle fingers to grasp a specific area or point, applying symmetrical pressure with alternating release and tightening. When using this method, the wrist should be relaxed and flexible, with the finger surface bearing the pressure. Movements should be smooth and continuous, not intermittent. Pressure should gradually increase from light to heavy, then decrease from heavy to light—never suddenly applied. This method is also one of the commonly used health-preserving massage techniques, with effects such as dispelling wind and cold, relaxing tendons and activating meridians, and opening orifices to relieve pain. It is suitable for the neck, shoulders, limbs, and points, and is often used as a concluding technique in massage.
5. Rubbing Method: Using the surface of the finger ridges or palm to firmly adhere to the acupoint, performing light and slow circular rubbing movements. Rubbing methods include: finger rubbing, thenar rubbing, and palm rubbing.
• Finger Rubbing: Using the surface or tip of the thumb, middle finger, index finger, or middle and ring fingers to lightly press on a specific acupoint or area, performing light, small-amplitude circular rubbing.
• Thenar Rubbing: Using the thenar portion of the palm to adhere to a specific area or acupoint, performing light circular rubbing.
• Palm Rubbing: Using the palm root to bear the pressure, keeping the wrist relaxed, and performing small-amplitude circular rubbing movements using the wrist joint and forearm. Rubbing is one of the commonly used techniques in health-preserving massage, with effects including widening the chest, regulating qi, eliminating food accumulation, promoting blood circulation, and relieving swelling and pain. It is suitable for all parts of the body. For example, rubbing and pressing Zhongwan and the abdomen in combination with other techniques has good health-preserving effects on gastrointestinal function.
6. Friction Method: Using the thenar, palm root, or hypothenar of the hand to firmly adhere to a specific area and perform direct back-and-forth friction to generate heat. This method benefits qi and blood, activates meridians, dispels wind and dampness, warms the meridians, and has excellent health-preserving effects.
7. Pointing Method: Using the tip of the thumb, or the middle, index, or thumb middle phalanx to press and point at a specific area or acupoint. This method opens blockages, activates blood, relieves pain, and adjusts organ functions. It is commonly used to treat abdominal cramps, lower back and leg pain, etc.
8. Striking Method: Using the back of the fist, palm root, lateral hypothenar, fingertips, or a mulberry branch to strike the body surface. It includes fist striking, hypothenar striking, fingertip striking, and stick striking. The striking method has the effect of relaxing tendons, activating meridians, and harmonizing qi and blood. When using it, apply quick, brief force, striking vertically. Avoid dragging or sliding movements during striking. The speed should be even and rhythmic. Fist striking is commonly used on the back and waist; palm striking is used on the head, waist, buttocks, and limbs; lateral striking is used on the back and limbs; fingertip striking is used on the head, chest, and abdomen; stick striking is used on the head, back, and limbs.
9. Rubbing Method: Using both palms or the lateral sides of the hands to clamp a specific area, applying opposing force rapidly for rubbing while simultaneously moving up and down. This method harmonizes qi and blood, relaxes meridians, and relaxes muscles. It is suitable for the limbs and rib areas. When using this method, both hands must apply equal force, rub quickly, and move slowly.
10. Twisting Method: Using the thenar and radial surfaces of the thumb and index finger of one hand to pinch the fingers of the other hand and perform symmetrical twisting movements. This method has the effect of straightening tendons, activating meridians, and lubricating joints. It is suitable for the fingers, back of the hand, and toes. Perform the movement smoothly and quickly, avoiding stiffness in force.
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