There are many massage techniques for health care, such as commonly used surface massage, neck rubbing, cotton friction, back and waist massage, tapping, and limb shaking. These techniques are gentle, flexible, easy to operate, and widely applicable. They can be used for health care massage regardless of gender, age, physical condition, or the presence of any illness.
With the development of the market economy and the improvement of people's living standards and health needs, various health care massage services have emerged. In China, there are health care massage, pediatric massage, sports massage, beauty massage, weight loss massage, and abroad there are also travel massage, situational massage, pet massage, etc.
General methods
One Finger Zen Pushing Technique
(1) Finger-tip One Finger Zen Pushing Technique: Apply pressure to a certain area or acupoint with the tip of the thumb. Use the flexion and extension of the interphalangeal joints and the swinging of the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area. During the operation, attention should be paid to keeping the shoulders relaxed, elbows hanging down, wrists suspended, palms empty, fingers solid, and pushing tightly and moving slowly.
(2) Peak-biased One Finger Zen Pushing Technique: Apply pressure to a certain area or acupoint with the peak of the thumb. Use the flexion and extension of the interphalangeal joints and the swinging of the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area. During the operation, attention should be paid to keeping the shoulders relaxed, elbows hanging down, fingers solid, pushing tightly, and moving slowly.
(3) Grooved-surface One Finger Zen Pushing Technique: Apply pressure to a certain area or acupoint with the groove surface of the thumb. Use the flexion and extension of the interphalangeal joints and the swinging of the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area. During the operation, attention should be paid to keeping the shoulders relaxed, elbows hanging down, wrists suspended, palms empty, fingers solid, pushing tightly, and moving slowly. In this technique, the groove surface of the thumb can also be used to apply pressure to a certain area, with the other four fingers attached to the other side of the body. Use the flexion and extension of the interphalangeal joints and the swinging of the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area.
(4) Kneeling Pushing Technique: Apply pressure to the treatment area with the back of the thumb interphalangeal joint, and use the swinging of the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area.
(5) Butterfly Pushing Technique: Simultaneously use both hands to perform peak-biased one finger zen pushing technique on the forehead of the patient, called butterfly pushing technique.
Rolling Technique
(1) Sideways Rolling: Apply pressure to a certain area with the back of the hand near the little finger side. Use the back of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger as the fulcrum, slightly flex and relax the elbow joint, rotate the forearm and flex and extend the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area. (2) Standing Rolling: Apply pressure to a certain area with the back of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and use the back of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the little finger as the fulcrum. Keep the elbow joint extended, rotate the forearm and flex and extend the wrist joint to continuously apply force to the treatment area.
(3) Interdigital Rolling: Apply pressure to a certain area or acupoint with the back of the thumb or little finger, and use gentle and smooth circular movements.
(4) Palm-root Rolling: Apply pressure to a certain area with the palm-root and use gentle and smooth circular movements. Alternatively, overlap both palms and apply pressure with the palm-root to a certain area, exerting force in the left and right directions.
(5) Forearm Rolling: Apply pressure to a certain area with the ulnar side of the forearm, and use force to rotate and rub in a circular motion or left and right rubbing.
(6) Elbow Rolling: Apply pressure to a certain area with the hawk's beak of the ulna bone, and use force to rotate and rub in a circular motion or left and right rubbing.
29 Health Care Massage Techniques
Massage has been practiced in China for over 2000 years. It has the functions of regulating nerve function, promoting blood circulation, improving the body's disease resistance, relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, and reducing inflammation, dispersing stasis, and relieving pain. The commonly used health care massage methods are as follows:
1. Head Bath
Place both palms on the forehead, gently rub down to the lower forehead, then turn to the back of the head above both ears, gently rub over the top of the head, and return to the forehead. This is considered as 1 cycle. Repeat 10 times, then evenly and gently knead the roots of the entire head with the fingertips 10 times. This can harmonize the meridians, make the qi and blood unimpeded, make the face rosy, and reduce wrinkles.
2. Tap Yintang Acupoint
Use the bent and protruding part of the thumb to alternately tap the Yintang acupoint on both sides (located in the middle of the eyebrow), 15-20 times per acupoint, with moderate force to create a slight discomfort. This has the effect of eliminating forehead pain, eye swelling, and relieving eye fatigue.
3. Rotate Eyes
Sit upright, rotate both eyes to the left 5 times, then focus forward for a moment, then rotate both eyes to the right 5 times, and focus forward for a moment. This is very beneficial for protecting eyesight.
4. Press Mingming Acupoint
Use the tips of both index fingers to press on the bilateral Mingming acupoints (0.1 inch above the inner corner of the eye) for 15-30 seconds, with moderate force to create a slight discomfort. This has the effect of relieving eye pain and improving vision.
5. Rub Eyelids
Use the thumbs of both hands to gently press and rotate the upper eyelids, clockwise and counterclockwise, 20 times each. This has the effect of relieving eye pain and improving vision.
6. Press Sun Acupoint
Press and rotate the temples with the tips of both index fingers, clockwise and counterclockwise, 10-15 times each. This has the effect of relieving pain and refreshing the mind.
7. Knock Teeth
Close the mouth lightly and knock the upper and lower teeth against each other 20-30 times. This has the effect of preventing loose and falling teeth and promoting digestion.
8. Rub Nasal Bridge
Use the back of the thumb to vigorously rub the bilateral nasal bridge until the local area feels warm. This helps with ventilation and prevents colds.
9. Dry Wash Face
Interlock the fingers of both hands and wash the face from top to bottom 20-30 times. This has the effects of refreshing the mind, reducing blood pressure.
10. Simulated Hair Combing
Place the fingertips of both hands on the scalp, comb the hair from the forehead to the back of the head, and from the top of the head to the temples. This helps with eye-opening, pain relief, and blood pressure reduction.
11. Ringing Temple Drums
Place both palms tightly on the ear holes, tap the back of the head 10 times with the middle three fingers of both hands, then cover the ear holes with the palms, press lightly, and suddenly release, open and close 10 times in a row. Finally, insert both index fingers into the ear holes and rotate them 3 times, then suddenly release. This is considered as 1 cycle, repeat 3-5 times. This has the effects of refreshing the mind, improving memory, enhancing hearing, and preventing ear diseases.
12. Rub Chest
Place both palms on the outside and above both breasts, rotate and rub, clockwise and counterclockwise, 10 times each. This helps to increase blood flow and reduce fatigue of the chest muscles.
13. Pinch Shoulder Muscles
Pinch the left shoulder muscle with the right thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and pinch the right shoulder muscle with the left hand, crosswise, 10 times each. This helps to relax the shoulders and relieve fatigue.
14. Press Tiantu Acupoint
Use the tip of the thumb to press the center point of the line connecting both nipples (Tiantu acupoint), press for about 30 seconds, and then suddenly release. Repeat this 5 times. This has the effects of relieving chest tightness, smoothing qi, relieving pain, and relieving asthma.
15. Su Hua Gai
Sit upright, calm the mind, take a deep breath, then slowly exhale, repeat 10 times. This helps to eliminate old qi and bring in new qi, strengthen the lungs, facilitate qi, and improve respiratory function.
16. Open Chest Corridor
Spread the five fingers of both hands and place them on both sides of the chest wall in front of the chest. Slide the fingertips along the intercostal spaces from the inside to the outside, repeating 10-15 times. This helps to open the chest, facilitate qi, and relieve pain and asthma.
17. Relax the Large Intestine
Place one hand on the waist, spread the five fingers of the other hand, point the fingertips downwards, rub from the epigastric region along both sides of the navel to the lower abdomen, then move to the right and up to the lower right rib, and then to the left. Rub the large intestine in this direction 10 times. This helps to clear the large intestine, improve digestion, and prevent constipation.
18. Divide Yin and Yang
Take the navel as the center, place both hands with the tiger's mouth facing each other, and place them on the left and right sides of the navel. Rub and stroke inward and outward, a total of 10 times. This helps to facilitate qi, relieve bloating, and improve digestion.
19. Rub the Huan Tiao Acupoint
Sit or stand, use the thumb tip to rub the left Huan Tiao acupoint (located at the outer 1/3 of the line connecting the greater trochanter of the femur and the sacral hiatus), then use the right thumb tip to rub the right Huan Tiao acupoint, crossing over, each 10 times. This helps to invigorate the meridians, strengthen tendons, enhance foot strength, and prevent joint diseases.
20. Rub the Yongquan Acupoint
Hold the Yongquan acupoint firmly with both hands, rub down to the coccyx, with one hand up and the other down at the same time, a total of 30 times. This helps to strengthen the waist and kidneys and prevent and treat lumbar pain.
21. Shake Both Hands
Let both arms hang naturally, and swing them forward and backward 30-50 times. This helps to relax the shoulders, arms, wrists, and finger joints, promote blood circulation, and enhance arm function.
22. Beat Both Shoulders
Make fists with both hands and vigorously beat the upper limbs from the shoulders to the wrists on the opposite side, a total of 20-30 times. This helps to open the meridians, promote joint flexibility, prevent arthritis, and relieve arm soreness.
23. Touch Ten Fingers
Place the palms of both hands facing each other, and touch the ten fingers of both hands together 10 times. This helps to move the finger joints, promote hand function.
24. Pinch Tiger's Mouth
Pinch the tiger's mouth of the left hand with the right thumb and index finger, and then pinch the tiger's mouth of the right hand with the left thumb and index finger, each 10 times. This helps to improve hand function and treat head and facial diseases.
25. Rotate Knees
Press both knees tightly with the palms, rotate them outward 10 times, then inward 10 times. This helps to dispel wind, make the tendons and bones flexible, strengthen the knee, and prevent arthritis.
26. Rub Thighs
Hold one thigh at the root with both palms, press down to the knee, and then rub back to the root of the thigh, back and forth a total of 20 times. This helps to promote joint flexibility, strengthen leg muscles, and prevent leg diseases.
27. Knead Gastrocnemius
Hold one calf tightly with both palms and rotate and knead, 30 times per side. This helps to promote blood circulation, improve muscle strength.
28. Pinch Achilles Tendon
Pinch the Achilles tendon with the thumb and index finger, pinch 20 times per side. This helps to improve foot function, relieve lower limb fatigue, and enhance foot strength.
29. Rub the Soles of the Feet
Rub the soles of the feet with both hands, rub each foot 80 times. This helps to clear internal heat, soothe the liver, and improve vision.
