"The root of treatment lies in seeking the underlying cause" is the fundamental principle of Chinese medicine and also the fundamental principle of massage therapy. Seeking the root cause means understanding the essence of the disease and identifying the main contradictions within it. In the context of massage therapy, the main contradiction refers to the primary contradiction in the pathological changes of the disease process, while the site of the lesion and the site of symptom manifestation represent the root cause. For example, in the case of lumbar disc herniation, where the intervertebral disc fibrous ring ruptures and compresses the nerve root or spinal cord, resulting in lower back pain and radiating pain in the lower extremities, the compression of the nerve root or spinal cord is the root cause. To treat the root cause, it is necessary to first relieve the compression of the nerve root or spinal cord. Merely focusing on manipulating the lower extremities without addressing the root cause would be futile. Some diseases may only be treated symptomatically because the effects of massage therapy cannot reach the root cause. However, without understanding the root cause, treating the symptoms would still be blind. For example, in the case of a fracture causing pain and swelling, after proper fixation, combining both movement and massage techniques can help reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and restore function. However, without confirming that the pain and swelling are caused by the fracture, hasty massage therapy could worsen the injury. Therefore, although massage therapy has its limitations as a treatment method, it is still necessary to adhere to the fundamental principle of "seeking the root cause" in the treatment of diseases.
The selection of acupoints and treatment sites is also important. For musculoskeletal disorders, which are generally characterized by pain, local acupoints are selected because the symptomatic area often corresponds to the affected area of the muscles, ligaments, and joints. However, in cases of acute injury where there is severe local pain and swelling, it is advisable to first select neighboring acupoints and treatment sites for manipulation, and then proceed to the local area once the condition has improved. For internal gynecological disorders, it is important to consider both meridian-based and symptom-based acupoint selection, taking into account the interconnection between the nerves innervating the internal organs and those innervating the body surface. For pediatric massage therapy, the selection of acupoints depends on the range and depth of the affected area as well as the specific disease. Generally, for patients with strong constitution and deep-seated lesions in the lumbar, hip, and limbs, or chronic injuries in the musculoskeletal system, stronger manipulation techniques are applied. For patients with weak constitution, children, or acute injuries and internal gynecological disorders affecting the head, face, chest, and abdomen, gentler manipulation techniques are used.
In clinical massage therapy, the following points should be noted:
1. Massage therapy should not be performed on musculoskeletal disorders caused by tuberculosis or pyogenic bacteria.
2. Massage therapy is generally not suitable for cancer patients.
3. Massage therapy is not recommended on areas affected by skin lesions, open wounds, or burns.
4. Massage therapy should not be performed on actively bleeding areas.
5. Dislocations should primarily be treated with reduction techniques.
6. Massage therapy should not be performed on the abdominal and lumbosacral areas of pregnant women and during menstruation.
7. Care should be taken to prevent fainting during massage therapy in patients who are hungry or have engaged in vigorous exercise.
