1. Massage performed along the direction of meridian flow is classified as a tonifying method, while massage against the meridian flow is classified as a dispersing method. 2. Based on massage intensity, techniques can be categorized as heavy or light. Heavy techniques, involving relatively greater force, belong to the dispersing method; light techniques, with relatively lesser force, belong to the tonifying method; moderate force constitutes a balanced tonifying and dispersing method.
3. Based on blood flow direction: Massaging toward the heart's outflow is tonifying; massaging in the same direction as blood outflow is dispersing. Alternatively, tonifying follows meridian direction while dispersing follows blood flow. Note: Human blood vessels are not meridians; meridians represent an unconfirmed yet widely acknowledged network in modern medicine.
4. Based on the direction of rotation: Clockwise massage is tonifying; counterclockwise is dispersing. Simultaneous clockwise and counterclockwise massage constitutes balanced tonification and dispersion. The Secret Manual of Pediatric Massage states: "Left rotation tonifies, right rotation disperses."" This refers to abdominal massage, where the patient's own direction serves as the reference. Clockwise massage has a pronounced laxative effect, constituting a dispersing technique; counterclockwise massage enhances gastrointestinal digestive function, strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, thus constituting an augmenting technique.When massaging the temples, rubbing toward the eyes is a tonifying method that strengthens tendons and replenishes deficiency; rubbing toward the ears is a dispersing method that clears wind, resolves exterior patterns, clears heat, improves vision, and relieves headaches.Pushing along the spine from top to bottom has a heat-clearing effect, constituting a dispersing technique. Similarly, for the Seven Vertebrae (a straight line from the fourth lumbar vertebra to the coccyx): pushing upward from bottom to top (Pushing Upward on the Seven Vertebrae) warms yang and stops diarrhea, treating cold-deficiency diarrhea; pushing downward from top to bottom (Pushing Downward on the Seven Vertebrae) disperses heat and promotes bowel movements, treating intestinal heat constipation.