Speaking of massage, many are familiar with it. But what exactly does it do? How should it be performed?
The Power of Massage
Massage unblocks meridians, promotes qi and blood circulation, regulates organ function, lubricates joints, and boosts the body's disease resistance. Because of these effects, it proves remarkably effective in treating common disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
In daily life, people often seek massage therapy for acute lower back strains, stiff necks, or cervical spondylosis. However, massage isn't just effective for stiff necks, sprains, or diarrhea—it also treats other conditions. For instance, a man suffering from chronic insomnia who relied on medication to sleep found his condition improved after several massage sessions, enabling him to sleep soundly without drugs.Similarly, an elderly woman suffering from chronic superficial gastritis, which had shown no improvement despite seeking treatment elsewhere, experienced symptom relief after receiving formal massage therapy combined with other rehabilitative measures.
Techniques to Understand
Pressing Technique
This method employs the protruding knuckles of bent fingers as pressure points, applying force to specific therapeutic areas. Evolving from the pressing technique, it falls within its scope. Characterized by concentrated force and strong stimulation, it includes three variations: thumb-tip pressing, bent-thumb pressing, and bent-index-finger pressing.
Pressure Technique
This method primarily uses the fingers or palm surface to apply gradual downward pressure on a body part or acupoint. Clinically, it is divided into finger pressure and palm pressure. Pressure technique can be combined with pressing to form the pressing-pressure technique, or with kneading to form the pressing-kneading technique.
Finger Pressing Technique
This technique involves applying pressure to the body surface using the pad or tip of the thumb. When single-finger pressure is insufficient, the thumb of the other hand may be overlapped to augment the pressure. Clinically, it is often combined with kneading.