Pointer Therapy is a method of treatment in which the doctor's finger is used instead of needles to apply certain techniques to the selected acupoints. This method has been circulating in the folk for a long time. In the Book of Emergency Prescriptions for Ready Use by Ge Hong in the Jin Dynasty, there is a method called "rescue of syncope by pressing the Renzhong acupoint". In the Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Ming Dynasty, there is a mention of "finger needle technique", which uses fingers instead of needles for tonification and purgation. In the Qing Dynasty, there were more specific discussions on finger therapy.
[Methods of Operation]
The basic techniques of finger therapy can be divided into five types: rubbing, palpating, cutting, pinching, and pressing.
1. Rubbing: The tip of the finger is lightly pressed on the selected acupoint in a circular motion. The tip of the finger should not leave the skin during rubbing. The finger, along with the skin and subcutaneous tissue, should move in a small circular motion centered on the acupoint, without causing friction between the finger and the skin. Each small circular motion is counted as one, and the standard is usually 120-180 times per acupoint, about 2-3 minutes. The number of times depends on the severity of the condition. The thumb and middle finger are commonly used for rubbing. This method is widely used in pointer therapy. When performing the treatment, different finger pressure should be applied according to the patient's constitution and the severity of the condition. This method can be used in combination with palpation.
2. Palpating: This method involves deep pressing the skin and subcutaneous tissue using the fingertips. The pressure should be adjusted according to the strength of the patient's constitution, until a sense of soreness, numbness, distention, or pain is felt, similar to the sensation of acupuncture. When pressing with the fingertips, gradually increase the pressure and avoid sudden force. After obtaining the sensation, gradually reduce the pressure and then stop. Palpation is generally performed for about 3 minutes per acupoint. Palpation can be divided into single finger method and double finger method.
(1) Single finger method: The fingertips of the thumb or middle finger are pressed on the acupoint. This method is commonly used for acupoints on the chest, abdomen, and limbs, such as Qihai, Zhongwan, Quchi, and Zusanli.
(2) Double finger method: Both hands press on two acupoints simultaneously. This method is commonly used for acupoints on the head, face, neck, abdomen, and back, such as Fengchi, Yangbai, and Tianzhu.
3. Cutting: This method is a form of single finger method. The acupoints are cut with the fingernail of the thumb. During the operation, a small amount of degreased cotton can be applied to the fingernail to prevent cutting the skin. The cutting should be done lightly and slowly, especially when reaching the tender spots, it is important to avoid causing severe pain. This method is mostly used for narrow acupoints, such as Renzhong, Yingxiang, and Shaoshang.
4. Pinching: This method involves symmetrically pinching and pressing the acupoints with two fingers. The thumb and index finger, thumb and middle finger, or thumb and other fingers can be used, exerting force in the upward-downward or left-right direction. The acupoints can be pinched on one or two points. If one acupoint is pinched, the thumb is placed on the acupoint, while the other finger is placed on the symmetrical position. This method is commonly used for acupoints on the limbs, shoulders, neck, etc., such as Hegu, Quchi, Zusanli, and Sanyinjiao.
5. Pressing: This method involves pressing one or two fingers on the tender points or acupoints, starting with light pressure and gradually increasing the depth. This method is commonly used for acupoints on the shoulders, back, buttocks, and thighs.
[Treatment of Diseases]
1. Stroke hemiplegia, traumatic paralysis, cerebral palsy, sequelae of encephalitis, sequelae of poliomyelitis: Primarily use pressing and rubbing techniques, combined with palpation, cutting, and pinching techniques. Select corresponding meridians, acupoints, and finger techniques according to different diseases and different areas.
Upper limb paralysis: Focus on the hand Taiyang meridian acupoints. Press and rub Jianyu, Jianqian, Quchi, Sidi, Shousanli, Waiguan; pinch Hegu, Zhijingen, Zhiguanjie; press and rub bladder meridian acupoints on the chest and back.
Lower limb paralysis: Focus on the foot Taiyang meridian acupoints. Press and rub Zhibian, Huantiao, Chengfu, Futu, Yinmen, Fengshi, Yingshi, Xuehai, Weizhong, Chengjin, Yanglingquan, Yinlingquan, Zusanli, Chengshan; pinch Juegu, Sanyinjiao, Taixi, Kunlun, toenail root, toe joint; press bladder meridian acupoints on the waist and back.
Various deformities: For foot eversion, continuously press and rub foot San Yin meridian acupoints on the calf; for foot inversion, continuously press and rub foot San Yang meridian acupoints on the calf; for foot drop, continuously press and rub foot Yangming meridian acupoints on the calf; for knee hyperextension, continuously press and rub foot San Yang meridian and foot San Yin meridian acupoints on the thigh; for knee joint flexion contracture, continuously press and rub foot Yangming meridian and foot bladder meridian acupoints on the knee joint; for hip joint laxity, continuously press and rub foot Shaoyang meridian acupoints on the buttocks and foot San Yin meridian acupoints on the root of the thigh; for hip joint contracture, continuously press and rub foot Shaoyang meridian and foot San Yin meridian acupoints on the thigh.
Other symptoms: For blindness, rub Taiyang, Jingming, Sibai, Yuzhi; for deafness, rub Pufeng, Tinggong; for protrusion of the tongue, rub Shanglianquan; for stiff or soft neck, rub and pinch Fengchi, bladder meridian acupoints on the neck; for swallowing difficulty, rub Tiantu; for facial paralysis, press the cheeks.
