The function of traditional Chinese massage is to dredge the meridians, promote the circulation of qi and blood, and lubricate the joints. In the book "Su Wen · Blood and Qi Formation and Appearance," it says, "If the form is frequently alarmed and the meridians are not unobstructed, diseases arise from lack of benevolence. Treat them with massage and herbal medicine." In the book "Su Wen · Theory of Pain," it says, "If cold qi invades the bladder meridian on the back, the pulse will tremble. When the pulse trembles, there is blood deficiency. When there is blood deficiency, there is pain. The bladder meridian connects to the heart, so they mutually refer pain to each other. When pressed, hot qi arrives, and when hot qi arrives, the pain ceases." In the book "Yi Zong Jin Jian · Essential Principles of Orthopedics," it says, "Due to falls or sprains, the bone fissure opens incorrectly, causing stagnation of qi and blood, resulting in swelling and pain. Massage therapy should be used. Massaging the meridians can unblock stagnant qi, and massaging the blockages can disperse stagnant blood. This can cure the ailment."
The meridians are distributed throughout the body, with internal connections to the organs and external connections to the limbs and joints. They connect and link all the organs, organs, orifices, as well as the skin, muscles, and bones of the human body. Through the circulation of qi and blood in the meridians, they form a holistic connection. Massage techniques act on specific areas of the body, promoting the circulation of qi and blood, nourishing the tendons and bones. Furthermore, as qi and blood flow through the meridians, they can also affect internal organs and other parts of the body. For example, massaging the spleen and stomach points on the back, located one and a half inches beside the eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae, can strengthen the spleen and stomach. Pressing the Hegu acupoint can relieve toothache. Therefore, it is evident that massage therapy not only focuses on alleviating pain but also follows the principles of meridian connections and acupoint selection.
In modern medicine, it is believed that the physical stimulation from massage techniques can cause biological and biochemical changes in the affected area, leading to physiological reactions in local tissues. Through nerve reflexes and regulation of body fluids, these reactions are enhanced and can also trigger secondary reactions in the whole body, resulting in a series of changes in pathological and physiological processes, ultimately achieving therapeutic effects.
Observations show that massage therapy has various effects on local tissues. Friction-based techniques that directly contact the skin can remove dead epithelial cells, improve skin respiration, promote sweat gland and sebaceous gland secretion, and enhance skin radiance and elasticity. Strong stimulation techniques can cause partial protein degradation in cells, leading to the production of histamine and histamine-like substances. Additionally, the mechanical energy from the techniques can be converted into heat energy, which promotes vasodilation, enhances local skin and muscle nutrition supply, improves muscle atrophy, and promotes tissue repair. Intermittent compression techniques can accelerate blood and lymph circulation. Improved blood and lymph circulation in the affected area speeds up the absorption of edema and pathological products, reducing swelling and contracture. Pulling, tapping, and reduction techniques, such as joint movement techniques, can relieve spasms, adhesions, dislocations, and misalignments of soft tissues.
Through the nervous system and body fluids, massage techniques applied locally can also have effects on the whole body and other tissues. Massage therapy can adjust the relative balance of neuronal excitation and inhibition. Gentle and rhythmic techniques with repeated stimulation have a calming and inhibitory effect on the nerves. Rapid and heavy techniques with short duration have a stimulating effect on the nerves. Some studies have observed changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) after massage therapy, showing an increase in alpha waves, and the amplitude of these alpha waves remains increased for an extended period. This phenomenon may be due to the development of internal inhibition caused by massage therapy. According to spinal segmental reflexes, massaging the neck can regulate blood circulation in the upper limbs and brain, lower intracranial pressure, and lower blood pressure. Vibrating and tapping techniques in the thoracic vertebrae (T1-T2) can induce a cardiac reflex, resulting in myocardial contraction. Vibrating and tapping techniques in the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2) can cause congestion in the small pelvis. Manipulating the spine can stimulate gastrointestinal motility. Pressing on the sympathetic ganglia stellate ganglion at the acupoint Quchi can cause pupil dilation, vasodilation, and increased skin temperature on the same side of the body. Massaging the lower abdomen and inner thigh can induce bladder contraction and promote urination, treating urinary retention. Massaging the abdomen can promote gastrointestinal motility and secretion of digestive glands.
Massage therapy can also cause changes in blood components and metabolism. Laboratory experiments have shown that after massage therapy, there is an increase in total white blood cell count and phagocytic capacity. The proportion of lymphocytes in the white blood cell classification increases, and there is a slight increase in red blood cells. There are also increases in complement titer, oxygen demand, nitrogen excretion, urine volume, and carbon dioxide excretion in the blood serum.
In summary, the main function of massage therapy is to improve the body's functions. However, it is important to note that massage therapy cannot treat organic diseases. We know that organic diseases and functional diseases cannot be treated in the same way.
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