Relieving Back Pain Through Massage: Traditional Chinese Medicine Techniques

Massage is one of the traditional Chinese medicine therapies that has been studied for centuries. It is a method of health preservation and treatment that has been accumulated through historical experience and passed down to future generations. Massage is simple to perform, convenient to use, and easily accepted by people. Today, I will introduce to you how massage can relieve body pain. Massage for Back Pain First, find a flat and firm bed that is of appropriate height. The patient should lie prone on the bed. The massage sequence for the back is as follows: 1. Pinching the Shoulder Well Acupoint Use the thumb to press against the acupoint on the shoulder, while the other four fingers gently rest on the front of the shoulder. Apply force with the thumb to lift and hold the entire shoulder muscle, alternating between lifting and releasing. It is important to keep the entire palm in contact with the shoulder and apply moderate pressure to lift the entire muscle. This action can relax the neck and shoulder muscles and have a good effect on relieving fatigue. Using gentle force can also help treat insomnia. 2. Kneading the Back Place the palm or fist on the muscles on both sides of the patient's back, starting with the left side and then the right side. Perform light and gentle circular motions, making sure to apply pressure to the muscles without rubbing the skin. After kneading a fixed point for several tens of seconds, move the hand down by the width of one palm and repeat the process until reaching above the patient's buttocks. 3. Pinching and Lifting the Spine The massage therapist uses one or both thumbs to lift the muscle next to the spine, moving and lifting while pinching. Start from top to bottom and then from bottom to top. Repeat this process two to three times. Pay attention to symmetrical pinching and avoid twisting too forcefully. 4. Pressing the Back Shu Points Place the fingertips of both thumbs on the left and right sides of the Dazhui acupoint, about the width of one finger apart. Apply a certain amount of pressure and hold for a few seconds, then move down by about one centimeter and press again. Repeat this process until reaching above the buttocks. If there are sensitive areas of pain, you can appropriately increase the duration of pressure. Painful points indicate possible discomfort in the body, and pressing can partially relieve these discomforts. The above massage methods are a simple way to massage the back for office workers who often experience back pain due to excessive fatigue or improper posture. It can help relax tense back muscles and have varying degrees of auxiliary therapeutic effects on back pain, lumbar muscle strain, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders, and other conditions. Effective Massage Technique for Back Pain Back pain is a common ailment among the elderly, mainly related to degenerative changes in spinal function. However, nowadays, many middle-aged and even young people often feel back pain, which is often related to insufficient exercise, work stress, especially long hours of sitting. Back pain can be prevented by maintaining a regular lifestyle, balancing work and rest, and regularly exercising the muscles of the back. In addition, massaging the "Yaoyan" acupoint is also a good method for preventing and treating back pain. The "Yaoyan" acupoint is located on the back, about 3-4 inches on each side of the third spinous process. The "Yaoyan" acupoint is located within the "Dai Mai" meridian (the meridian that surrounds the waist) and is the location of the kidneys. The kidneys prefer warmth and dislike cold. Massaging the "Yaoyan" acupoint can warm the kidney yang and promote the smooth flow of qi and blood. You can use the following method for massage: 1. Rub both hands together until they become warm, then firmly press on the "Yaoyan" acupoint, pause for a moment, and then vigorously rub down to the tailbone area (Changqiang acupoint). Repeat this 50-100 times, once in the morning and once in the evening.