Massage is beneficial, and the technique is very important. The ability to accurately grasp and use massage techniques has a significant impact on the effectiveness of massage. There are many massage techniques, but the following basic massage techniques must be mastered for effective massage.
【Pressing Technique】
This technique involves using the thumb pad (with fingerprints), knuckles, or elbows to gradually apply pressure, starting from light to heavy, on a certain part of the body. It can be divided into finger pressing, palm pressing, and elbow pressing, depending on the body part used. Finger pressing is commonly used.
【Rubbing Technique】
This technique involves using the fingertips, middle finger, ring finger, or little finger to make continuous, rhythmic circular motions on the body surface, driven by the wrist joint and forearm. If pressure is applied with the fingertips, it is called finger rubbing; if pressure is applied with the palm, it is called palm rubbing.
【Friction Technique】
This technique involves pressing the palm against the body surface, applying slight force, and rubbing back and forth to create a warm sensation in the area being treated. This technique is called friction. If pressure is applied with the palm, it is called palm friction; if pressure is applied with the knuckles, it is called knuckle friction.
【Kneading Technique】
This technique involves using the fingertips or palm to firmly grasp a certain part of the body, with the wrist joint relaxed. The forearm swings and the wrist joint rotates, causing the fingers, palm, and knuckles to rotate and move in a circular motion. This technique is called kneading. If pressure is applied with the fingers, it is called finger kneading; if pressure is applied with the palm, it is called palm kneading; if pressure is applied with the knuckles, it is called knuckle kneading.
【Pounding Technique】
This technique involves using the back of the fist, base of the palm, fingertips, or other parts to strike the body surface. This method is called pounding.
【Patting Technique】
This technique involves using the palm (hollow palm) to pat the body surface. This method is called patting.
【Pushing Technique】
This technique involves using the fingers, palm, or elbow to apply pressure to a certain part of the body, pushing forward in a straight line or arc, and maintaining a certain rhythm. This method is called pushing.
【Acupressure Technique】
This technique involves using the fingertip of the thumb or index finger, or the joint of the flexed index finger near the palm, to press a certain part of the body. This method is called acupressure, or point pressing.
In practical application, sometimes a single technique is used, and sometimes two techniques are used together to form a compound technique. For example, combining pushing and friction is called push and friction technique; combining pressing and kneading is called pressing and kneading technique, and so on.
In addition to learning the basic techniques, there are also requirements for the specific application of massage techniques. When using massage techniques, the force should be light, gentle, and soft, and not heavy or fast. It is also important to follow the direction of the meridians. As Zhou Yufan, a Ming dynasty scholar, said, "Gentle massage is nourishing," and "Light pushing and following the flow are both nourishing."
