There are many techniques for health massage, such as commonly used surface massage, neck rubbing, cotton friction, back and waist massage, tapping, limb shaking, etc. These techniques are gentle, flexible, easy to operate, and widely applicable. They can be used for health massage for people of all ages, genders, physical conditions, and with or without illnesses.
With the development of the market economy and the improvement of people's living standards and health needs, various health massage service industries have emerged. For example, there are health massage, pediatric massage, sports massage, beauty massage, weight loss massage in China, and tourism massage, scene massage, and pet massage abroad.
General methods
Single Finger Zen Pushing Technique
(1) Finger-tip Single Finger Zen Pushing Technique: Apply pressure with the thumb tip to a certain part or acupoint, and use the flexion and extension of the finger joints and the swing of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area. When operating, pay attention to sinking the shoulders, drooping the elbows, suspending the wrists, empty palms, solid fingers, and push firmly and move slowly.
(2) Off-Peak Single Finger Zen Pushing Technique: Apply pressure with the off-peak of the thumb to a certain part or acupoint, and use the flexion and extension of the finger joints and the swing of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area. When operating, pay attention to sinking the shoulders, drooping the elbows, solid fingers, push firmly and move slowly.
(3) Wrinkle Surface Single Finger Zen Pushing Technique: Apply pressure with the wrinkle surface of the thumb to a certain part or acupoint, and use the flexion and extension of the finger joints and the swing of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area. When operating, pay attention to sinking the shoulders, drooping the elbows, suspending the wrists, empty palms, solid fingers, push firmly and move slowly. In this method, the wrinkle surface of the thumb can also be applied to a certain part, and the remaining four fingers can be attached to the other side of the body. Use the flexion and extension of the finger joints and the swing of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area.
(4) Kneeling Pushing Technique: Apply pressure with the back of the thumb interphalangeal joint to the treatment area, and use the swing of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area.
(5) Butterfly Pushing Technique: Simultaneously perform off-peak single finger zen pushing technique on the forehead of the patient with both hands, which is called butterfly pushing technique.
Rolling Technique
(1) Side Rolling Technique: Apply pressure with the back of the hand near the little finger to a certain part, using the back of the knuckles of the little finger as the fulcrum, slightly flex the elbow joint and relax it, and use the rotation of the forearm and the flexion and extension of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area. (2) Upright Rolling Technique:
Apply pressure with the back of the thumb, ring finger, middle finger, and their metacarpophalangeal joints to a certain part, using the back of the knuckles of the little finger as the fulcrum, keep the elbow joint straight, and use the rotation of the forearm and the flexion and extension of the wrist joint to continuously exert force on the treatment area.
(3) Fish Web Rolling Technique: Apply pressure with the back of the large fish web or the small fish web to a certain part or acupoint, using gentle and smooth circular movements.
(4) Palm Root Rolling Technique: Apply pressure with the palm root to a certain part, using gentle and smooth circular movements; or overlap both palms, apply pressure with the palm root to a certain part, and exert force in the left and right directions.
(5) Forearm Rolling Technique: Apply pressure with the ulnar side of the forearm to a certain part, use force to make circular rubbing or left and right rubbing.
(6) Elbow Rolling Technique: Apply pressure with the ulnar tuberosity to a certain part, use force to make circular rubbing or left and right rubbing.
29 Health Massage Techniques
Massage has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years. It has the functions of regulating nerve function, promoting blood circulation, improving the body's resistance to diseases, relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, and relieving inflammation and eliminating stasis and pain. The commonly used health massage methods are as follows:
1. Head Bath
Place both palms on the forehead, exert slight pressure and slide down to the lower forehead, then flip to the back of the head above the ears, gently slide over the top of the head, and return to the forehead. Repeat this 10 times, then evenly and gently knead the roots of the hair on the entire head for 10 times. This can harmonize the meridians, make the qi and blood unobstructed, make the complexion rosy, and reduce wrinkles.
2. Knocking Bamboo Points
Use the bent protrusion of the thumb to alternately tap the bamboo points on both sides (located in the middle of the eyebrows), 15-20 times per acupoint, with a slight discomfort. This has the effect of relieving forehead pain, eye swelling, and relieving eye fatigue.
3. Eye Rotation
Sit upright, rotate both eyes to the left 5 times, then look forward for a moment, then rotate both eyes to the right 5 times, and look forward for a moment. This is very beneficial for protecting eyesight.
4. Pointing Bright Eyes
Use the tips of both index fingers to press on the Jingming points on both sides (0.1 inch above the inner corner of the eyes) for 15-30 seconds, with a slight discomfort. This has the effect of relieving eye pain and improving vision.
5. Rubbing Eyelids
Use the thumbs of both hands to gently press and rotate the upper eyelids, and rub them in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for 20 times. This can relieve eye pain and improve vision.
6. Pressing the Sun
Use the tips of both index fingers to press and rotate on the temples, clockwise and counterclockwise for 10-15 times. This has the effect of relieving pain and refreshing the mind.
7. Tapping Teeth
Close your mouth lightly and tap your upper and lower teeth against each other 20-30 times. This can prevent loose teeth and promote digestion.
8. Rubbing the Nasal Bridge
Use the back of the thumb to vigorously rub the bridge of the nose until it feels hot. This can help with ventilation and prevent colds.
9. Dry Face Washing
Rub the face from the forehead to the chin 20-30 times with both hands joined together. This has the effect of refreshing the mind, reducing blood pressure.
10. Pretend to Comb the Hair
Touch the scalp with the fingertips of both hands, combing the hair from the forehead to the occiput, and from the top of the head to the temples. This has the effect of awakening the mind, relieving pain, and reducing blood pressure.
11. Bell Ringing
Place the palms of both hands firmly on both ear holes, tap the back of the head 10 times with the middle three fingers of each hand, then cover the ear holes with the palms, lightly press on the back of the head with the fingers and suddenly lift them off, repeat this 10 times. Finally, insert the index fingers into the ear holes and rotate them 3 times, then suddenly release them. This counts as 1 round, and repeat this 3-5 times. This has the effects of awakening the mind, improving memory, strengthening hearing, and preventing ear diseases.
12. Rubbing the Chest
Place both palms on the outer upper part of both breasts, rotate and rub them in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for 10 times. This can accelerate blood flow and reduce fatigue of the chest muscles.
13. Grasping the Shoulder Muscles
Hold the left shoulder muscle with the right thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and then hold the right shoulder muscle with the left hand. Do this in a cross manner for 10 times. This can relax the shoulders and relieve fatigue.
14. Pressing the Shenque Point
Use the tip of the thumb to press the middle point of the line connecting both nipples (the Shenque point), press for about 30 seconds, and then release suddenly. Repeat this 5 times. This has the effects of relaxing the chest, regulating qi, relieving pain, and relieving asthma.
15. Su Hua Gai
Sit upright, calm the mind, take a deep breath, and then exhale slowly, repeat this 10 times. This helps to eliminate the old and take in the new, strengthen the lungs and regulate breathing.
16. Huo Xiong Lang
Spread the five fingers of both hands, place them on both sides of the chest, and slide the fingertips along the intercostal spaces from the inside to the outside, repeating this 10-15 times. This has the effects of expanding the chest, regulating breathing, and relieving pain and asthma.
17. Relaxing the Large Intestine
Place one hand on the waist and spread the other hand's five fingers, pointing downward, from the pit of the stomach along both sides of the navel to the lower abdomen, then upward and to the right to the lower right rib, and then to the left. Rub and knead along the large intestine for 10 times. This can dredge the large intestine, improve digestion, and prevent constipation.
18. Separating Yin and Yang
Take the navel as the center, place both hands with tiger mouths opposite each other, and place them flat on both sides of the navel. Rub and stroke inward and outward for 10 times. This can regulate qi, relieve bloating, and improve digestion.
19. Rubbing the Huan Tiao Points
Sit or stand, use the thumb tip to rub the Huan Tiao points on the left side (one-third of the distance between the greater trochanter of the femur and the sacral canal) for the left leg, then use the thumb tip of the right hand to rub the Huan Tiao points for the right leg. Do this in a cross manner for 10 times. This can invigorate the meridians, strengthen tendons, and improve leg strength.
20. Rubbing the Yin Yang Points
Hold the Yin Yang points with both hands, and vigorously rub them down to the coccyx, with the left and right hands moving up and down at the same time, for a total of 30 times. This can strengthen the waist and kidneys, and prevent and treat low back pain.
21. Shaking Both Hands
Let both arms hang naturally, and swing them forward and backward for 30-50 times. This can relax the shoulders, arms, wrists, and finger joints, promote blood circulation, and enhance arm function.
22. Beating Both Shoulders
Clasp the fists of both hands and strike the upper limbs on the opposite side from the shoulders to the wrists for a total of 20-30 times. This can invigorate the meridians, make the joints flexible, and prevent arthritis and arm fatigue.
23. Touching Ten Fingers
Place the palms of both hands facing each other, and touch the fingers of both hands together for 10 times. This can move the finger joints and promote hand function.
24. Pinching Tiger Mouths
Pinch the tiger mouths of the left hand with the right thumb and index finger, and then pinch the tiger mouths of the right hand with the left thumb and index finger, for a total of 10 times. This can improve hand function and treat head and facial diseases.
25. Rotating the Knees
Hold both knees tightly with the palms of both hands, rotate them outward 10 times, and then rotate them inward 10 times. This can expel wind, make the tendons and bones flexible, strengthen the knees, and prevent arthritis.
26. Rubbing the Thighs
Hug one thigh at the root with both hands, press it down to the knee, and then rub it back to the root of the thigh. Repeat this 20 times. This can promote joint flexibility, strengthen leg muscles, and prevent leg diseases.
27. Kneading the Gastrocnemius
Hold one calf tightly with both palms, and rotate and knead it. Do this for 30 times on each side. This can promote blood circulation, improve muscle strength.
28. Pinching the Achilles Tendon
Pinch the Achilles tendon with the thumb and index finger, pinch each side 20 times. This can improve foot function, relieve leg fatigue, and enhance foot strength.
29. Rubbing the Soles of the Feet
Rub the soles of the feet with both hands until they become warm. Rub each foot 80 times. This can clear away internal heat, soothe the liver, and improve eyesight.
