06 Question: Can pregnant women get a massage?
Master Liu: Pregnant women cannot get a massage in the first three months, but after three months, they can get a massage in a side-lying position to relieve fatigue. Especially in the later stages of pregnancy, some expectant mothers may experience leg swelling and cramps, and a proper massage can provide considerable relief. However, the strength of the massage should be gentle, especially when massaging the acupoints on the soles of the feet. In foreign countries, it is quite popular for pregnant women to get massages. Many expectant mothers with foreign or overseas backgrounds often book regular massage sessions and sometimes even avail of home service.
07 Question: What are some 1-minute techniques to relieve body fatigue for busy individuals who cannot get regular massages?
Master Liu: Haha, there are quite a few. 1) After working with your head lowered for an hour, raise your head and maintain that position for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Muscles are like rubber bands, they need to be stretched and held for a period of time before bouncing back. 2) If your eyes feel tired from prolonged work, look up and then down. Repeat this exercise 36 or 99 times. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the numbers 6 and 9, so the repetitions should be in multiples of these numbers. 3) Perform a towel exercise for 10 minutes before sleeping: Place a towel on the back of your neck, hold both ends of the towel with your left and right hands, and rub the towel against the back of your neck until it feels warm. This exercise helps relax the muscles in the neck.
08 Question: What is the recommended frequency for massages?
Massages should not be too frequent, and you should not immediately get a massage when you feel sore. During the acute phase of pain, especially when there is obvious local tissue redness and swelling, it is best to avoid getting a massage. For leisure and health massages, once a week is sufficient, and it is advisable to engage in regular exercise as well. For therapeutic massages, it is best to follow the specific guidance of a professional masseur.
09 Question: Who is the most memorable client you have encountered?
Master Liu: I have been in this profession for twelve years and have received many clients with various aches and pains.
There was a foreign client who was quite amusing. He couldn't speak Chinese and on his first visit, he pointed at the clock and gestured wildly. It took me a while to understand that he was having trouble sleeping. He would sleep at 12 midnight but wake up at 4 in the morning. So, I gave him a head massage. On his second visit, he came in and pointed at the clock, comparing it to me. He could now sleep until 8 in the morning. Although we couldn't communicate through language, I could sense the joy he felt from the relief in his body.
10 Question: Can massage cure insomnia?
Master Liu: Sleep is regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system. When muscles are tense and compress this system, insomnia can occur. Massage can help relax the muscles, allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to function normally and thereby improving the quality of sleep. However, there are many causes of insomnia, and the effects of a single massage session typically last for only 1-2 days at most. Massage therapy for insomnia requires long-term treatment and is better complemented with dietary therapy.
