In 2014, a literary film titled "Massage" about blind people swept major film festivals and became a big winner that year. The film not only focused on the vulnerable group of blind people, showcasing their joys and sorrows, but also introduced the industry of "massage" that they are engaged in to a wider audience.
What is "massage"? In Chinese medicine, it refers to the therapeutic techniques of using hands to apply pressure, knead, lift, pinch, and rub along the meridians and acupoints of the body. It is a non-drug natural therapy and physical therapy. The practitioner uses various forms of techniques such as pushing, grabbing, pressing, rubbing, kneading, tapping, etc. on the patient's body surface, injured areas, discomfort, specific acupoints, and painful areas, aiming to promote meridian circulation, regulate qi and blood, relieve injuries and pain, expel pathogenic factors, and harmonize yin and yang. So why has massage quietly become popular?
1. Promoting Meridian Circulation
The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states, "If the meridians are blocked, diseases arise from lack of benevolence, and they can be treated with massage." From this, it can be seen that massage can make the meridians throughout the body unobstructed. Just like roads, when there is a traffic jam, police are needed to guide the traffic and achieve smooth traffic flow. The human body also has many acupoints, such as the Yongquan acupoint, which is a commonly used "longevity acupoint" and an important acupoint of the kidney meridian. Regular massage of this acupoint can enhance essence and marrow, nourish the kidneys, strengthen yang, and invigorate bones.
The Yongquan acupoint is located on the sole of the foot, about one-third of the way from the front of the foot. Before going to bed, sit with crossed legs and use both hands to massage or press the Yongquan acupoint on both sides with bent fingers until a tingling sensation is felt. Repeat this 50 to 100 times each time. Over time, not only can it promote physical health, but it can also extend life.
2. Harmonizing Qi and Blood
In the Ming Dynasty, the health expert Luo Hong said in the book "The Book of Eternal Life": "Massage can promote smooth pores and regulate the rotation of qi and blood." Here, the rotation of qi and blood refers to the harmonization of qi and blood. As the name suggests, massage uses the power between the fingers, light or heavy, fast or slow, to manipulate the acupoints and meridians throughout the body, adjusting the body's condition through the conduction of meridians, achieving the balance of qi and blood, promoting blood circulation, and eliminating blood stasis. Through modern medicine, it is known that massage is a simple mechanical stimulation that converts mechanical energy into thermal energy to increase the temperature of local tissues, promote the dilation of capillaries, improve blood and lymph circulation, reduce blood viscosity, lower peripheral vascular resistance, and reduce the burden on the heart, which can prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
