Revealed: What are the common massage methods?

　　In real life, many people have begun to pay attention to the emphasis. In addition to daily diet, some traditional Chinese medicine techniques are also good choices, such as massage. This is the most common health care method in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, but how much do you know about massage techniques? Today I will introduce them to you in detail, hoping to help you understand these techniques and avoid being deceived.

　　Massage is a type of external treatment method of traditional Chinese medicine. It is guided by traditional Chinese medicine theory, especially the meridian theory, which emphasizes the organic internal connection between the human body surface through meridians, acupoints and internal organs. Diseases in the internal organs can be reflected to the body surface through the meridians, and the meridians and acupoints on the body surface can be massaged and stimulated. The "information" to treat the disease can also be conveyed to the diseased organs through the meridians, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect. Commonly used massage techniques include the following:

　　1. Pushing method: Use your fingers or palms to focus on a certain part of the patient and push in a straight line in one direction. This technique is suitable for the head, face, limbs, chest and abdomen, and has the functions of dispersing wind and cold, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating qi and relieving pain, relaxing muscles and unblocking meridians.

　　2. Holding method: Use the thumb and any one or more of the other four fingers to oppose each other, lift up a certain part of the body or acupuncture point, and alternately pick up and put down. Suitable for neck, shoulders, back and limbs. Its functions are to awaken the mind, dispel wind and cold, relax muscles and unblock meridians, etc.

　　3. Pressing method: Use your fingertips or palms to focus on a certain part or acupuncture point of the body, press down on it, maintain a certain pressure there for a moment, and then knead it slightly. This method is often used in conjunction with the kneading method. The finger massage method is suitable for acupuncture points all over the body; the palm massage method is suitable for the back, waist and limbs. It has the functions of stimulating menstruation, activating meridians, relieving spasms, and regulating joints.

　　4. Massage method: attach your palm to a certain part of the human body and move it in a circular motion. It is mostly used on the abdomen, but can also be used on people with severe bruises, swelling and pain in various parts of the body. It has the effects of relieving pain, regulating qi and blood, harmonizing the middle and regulating qi, eliminating accumulation and guiding stagnation.

　　5. Kneading method: Use your fingers, thenar, heel and palm of the hand to gently knead a certain part or acupuncture point of the patient with gentle rotating motions. It is suitable for use on the head, face, chest, abdomen, and limbs. It has the effects of dredging meridians, reducing swelling and dissipating knots, removing blood stasis and relieving pain, and regulating the stomach.

　　6. Rubbing method: Use the thenar or hypothenar eminence of the heel of the palm to rub the patient's body surface quickly back and forth. It is often supplemented with massage media, such as safflower oil, onion and ginger water, etc. This method has the effects of invigorating yang energy, warming and dredging meridians, promoting qi and blood circulation, removing blood stasis and dissipating stagnation, dispelling wind and cold, regulating tendons and relieving pain, and strengthening the spleen and stomach.

　　7. Rubbing method: Clamp the patient's limbs with two palms, rub them quickly with relative force, and move up and down during the rubbing process. This method has the effect of harmonizing Qi and blood, relaxing tendons and unblocking meridians. It is mostly used on the limbs and is often used as the end of massage.

　　8. Shaking method: The doctor grasps the distal end of the patient's limb with one hand, and supports the shaken joint (shoulder joint, wrist joint, hip joint) with the other hand, and uses the joint as the fulcrum to rock the limb in a circular reciprocating manner to the maximum extent. It has the function of smoothing joints, loosening adhesions, and restoring joint function. It is mostly used for hemiplegia, numbness of limbs and frozen shoulder.

　　9. Twisting method: Use the thumb and index finger, middle finger or index and middle finger to face each other, pinch the patient's fingers or toes, and rub them. It has the effect of regulating tendons, unblocking meridians, and smoothing joints. It is mostly used for hemiplegia, cervical spondylosis, and numbness and pain in fingertips.

　　10. Pointing method: Use finger tips, interphalangeal joints or elbows to press on a certain part or acupuncture point of the patient, and gradually press down. Commonly used in the abdomen, back, waist and limbs. It has the effects of warming and dredging meridians, regulating internal organs, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. Suitable for abdominal pain, limb pain and other symptoms.

　　11. Shaking method: Hold the distal end of the patient's limb with both hands, and use rapid, continuous, small-amplitude shaking up and down. It has the functions of unblocking meridians, regulating muscles and bones, and sharpening joints. Often used as a finishing technique for massage.

　　12. Patting method: Use the five fingers of your hand to slightly bend to form a hollow palm, and use a little force to pat the patient's affected area. Commonly used on neck, shoulders, lower back, and limbs. It has the functions of regulating qi and promoting blood circulation.

　　Massage is not only helpful in the treatment of certain diseases, but also very helpful in preventing various diseases and relieving fatigue. Therefore, if possible, you should do it regularly to ensure good health.