The technique of patting for health preservation has strict requirements in terms of preparation, force magnitude and technique, and the sequence of patting. The following aspects should be noted:
1. Preparation before patting
Before patting, it is required to relax both physically and mentally, achieving a state of "relaxed body, relaxed shoulders, relaxed arms, relaxed fingers." The feet should be naturally grounded, apart and parallel.
2. Gentle, even, penetrating, and powerful force
"Gentle" means that the patting should be done with a touch that is light but not floating, heavy but not stagnant, combining softness with firmness, so as to provide a painless experience on the surface while producing a warming and invigorating effect internally. "Even" refers to the rhythmic nature of the movements, with consistent speed and pressure that is neither too light nor too heavy. "Powerful" means that the force applied should be moderate, as being too light will be ineffective and being too heavy will cause harm to the body. It should be a force that can produce a therapeutic and health-preserving effect.
3. Prolonged patting
The meaning of prolonged patting has two aspects: firstly, each patting session should last for a certain period of time, avoiding fatigue and soreness in the hands; secondly, for a certain health preservation program, patting along the meridians should be done continuously for a period of time in order to be effective, rather than intermittently or only a few times.
4. Clear patting routes
Patting should be done according to the meridian route specified in the health preservation program. At the same time, it can also follow the rule of patting the upper body before the lower body or the rule of patting the front before the back.
5. Elasticity in patting techniques
When patting, the hands should have elasticity, and the force should not be entirely applied to the surface of the body. There should be a rebounding force, and the operation should follow the elasticity of the muscles, avoiding rigid strikes.
6. Common tools used in patting
Patting can be done with hollowed palms or hollowed hammers, as well as with tools such as wooden hammers or wooden pestles. Stone bags, sandbags, or grain bags can also be used.
