Introduction:
Learn massage therapy. In addition to learning the basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, examination and diagnosis knowledge, it is also necessary to understand the following aspects:
1. Meridians and Acupoints: Meridians are also known as meridians. Meridians include twelve regular meridians, twelve divergent meridians, eight extraordinary meridians, fifteen collateral meridians, twelve muscle meridians, twelve cutaneous regions, etc. Among them, the twelve regular meridians and the Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel are the main ones, commonly referred to as the fourteen regular meridians. Acupoints are also known as acupoints or acupoints. They are the places where the Qi of the meridians and organs converge and gather on the surface of the body. When starting to learn, you should first understand the route and distribution of the fourteen regular meridians, gradually memorize the commonly used acupoints, and then combine with the actual points on the human body. With repeated learning, you will naturally become more familiar and proficient, and be able to apply them skillfully.
2. Basic Anatomy: Familiarize yourself with general knowledge of human anatomy. Especially, you should be familiar with the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system consists of bones, cartilage, joints, ligaments, muscles, and their accessory organs. It plays a role in support, protection of internal organs, and movement. In addition to the distribution and morphology of bones, it is more important to be familiar with the structure of joints and the origin and insertion points of major muscles and their functions.
(1) Bones: Adults have a total of 206 bones, which make up the framework of the human body. They can be divided into trunk bones, limb bones, and skull bones according to their location. The trunk bones consist of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, and 5 sacral vertebrae. The upper limb consists of the humerus and ulna. The lower limb consists of the femur and tibia.
(2) Joints: Any joint has three essential structures: articular surface, joint capsule, and joint cavity.
- The articular surface refers to the corresponding surfaces of the joint bones, which are covered with a layer of smooth cartilage, known as articular cartilage. It can reduce friction between bones and promote flexibility of movement.
- The joint capsule is a membranous structure that connects the bone ends of the related joint. It can secrete synovial fluid, which lubricates the articular surface and nourishes the articular cartilage.
- The joint cavity refers to the cavity enclosed by the joint capsule, which is closed and under negative pressure. Joints with greater mobility have larger joint cavities.
In addition to the basic structures mentioned above, some joints also have auxiliary structures, such as ligaments, menisci, bursae, and synovial sheaths.
(3) Muscles: All muscles in the musculoskeletal system are skeletal muscles, which are the driving organs of movement. There are about 600 muscles in the human body. The shape of muscles varies depending on their location and function. They can be roughly divided into the following four types:
- Long muscles are spindle-shaped, with a thickened middle part called the muscle belly, and both ends usually attach to bones. Muscles have contractility and elasticity, while tendons do not, but they are strong and tough. Long muscles are more common in the limbs. When contracted, they can cause large-scale movement.
- Short muscles are small and mostly located in the deep layer of the trunk. When contracted, they have limited range of motion.
- Flat muscles are broad and wide, also known as flat muscles. They are mostly located in the superficial layer of the trunk. Flat muscles appear in the form of membranes and are called aponeuroses.
- Circular muscles have circular muscle fibers and are located around orifices. When contracted, they can close the orifice.
The basic component of muscles is muscle fibers. Many muscle fibers make up a fascicle, and small fascicles form larger fascicles. Finally, they form a complete muscle. Connective tissue membranes surround the fascicles at all levels and the surface of the muscle.
The function of muscles is carried out under the innervation of nerves. If muscles lose nerve innervation, they will lose their function and become paralyzed. Muscles are distributed around joints in a manner that is arranged in opposition. For example, if there are flexor muscles, there must be extensor muscles; if there are abductor muscles, there must be adductor muscles; if there are internal rotator muscles, there must be external rotator muscles. In a state of rest, a certain posture of the body is maintained by the tension of opposing muscles. When standing upright, the tension of extensor muscles is dominant. When performing a certain movement, it is coordinated and completed by the contraction of opposing muscles. For example, in the knee joint, there are flexor muscles and extensor muscles in front and back. When the knee joint flexes, the flexor muscles contract, while the extensor muscles relax appropriately but still maintain a certain tension, so that the knee joint can flex properly and smoothly. At this time, the flexor muscles are dominant. When extending the knee, the situation is reversed. The extensor muscles are dominant, while the flexor muscles play a supporting role. This dynamic balance is disrupted, and the function of movement will be hindered, leading to movement disorders and postural abnormalities.
Adaptation and Contraindications: The application of massage therapy in the treatment of diseases is quite extensive in clinical practice, but there are also certain contraindications.
1. Adaptation: (1) For adults: Soft tissue injuries caused by muscle, joint, or nervous system lesions, such as muscle pain, swelling, numbness, atrophy, paralysis, joint pain, soreness, and movement disorders caused by computer-related diseases, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, acute lumbar sprain, lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniation, ankle sprain, etc.
- Internal medicine diseases such as stomach pain, gastroptosis, diarrhea, constipation, asthma, etc. such as cold, hiccups, neurogenic headache, indigestion, acute gastritis, enteritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, coronary heart disease, hypertension, cerebral thrombosis, hemiplegia, weight loss, etc.
- Surgical diseases such as paralytic ileus, mastitis, vasculitis, etc.
- Gynecological diseases such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, infertility, excessive leukorrhea, etc.
- Ophthalmological diseases such as myopia, etc.
(2) For children: The range of diseases that can be treated with massage therapy is broader than that of adults. For example, vomiting, enuresis, dysentery, skin pain, malnutrition, stagnation, constipation, anal prolapse, cough, asthma, measles, chickenpox, convulsions, spontaneous sweating, night crying, enuresis, rickets, etc., can all be treated with massage therapy. Currently, the most common diseases treated are diarrhea, malnutrition, fever, torticollis, subluxation of joints, enuresis, etc.
Note: The various indications mentioned above can be treated with massage therapy. Some can shorten the course of the disease, some can be cured, some can temporarily alleviate symptoms, and some may only have temporary effects.
2. Contraindications: In clinical practice, in order to be highly responsible for patients, it is necessary to strictly adhere to contraindications to prevent errors and accidents.
- Acute infectious diseases.
- Lesions of skin diseases, such as ulcerative dermatitis, burns, etc.
- Various malignant tumors and diseases.
- Various infectious diseases, such as erysipelas, abscess, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis of bones, cellulitis, purulent arthritis, etc.
- Diseases that may cause bleeding or bleeding sites.
- Fractures and dislocations.
- Severe hypertension and heart disease.
- Mental illness.
- Women during pregnancy or menstrual period, especially the abdomen and lumbosacral region.
- When the patient is hungry or after intense exercise.
- Elderly or critically ill patients.
- Extremely fatigued or intoxicated patients.
