Nine Massage Techniques of the Medicine King

The Medicine King Massage method by Liu Yuwei, Xu Shengyang and Ge Jun is an important technique used by ancient medical practitioners to promote the circulation of qi and blood, relieve spasms and pain. It works every time and is always refreshing. If supplemented with internal strength, by using the tips of the fingers to massage the person, the recipient will feel comfortable all over, as if basking in a gentle spring breeze. The first method: Pushing method. Place both hands on top of each other or side by side on the affected area. Use the heel of the palm or the thenar eminence to push and press along the meridians or muscles, up and down or left and right. The pushing force should be strong and the returning force should be buoyant, so as to disperse the blood stasis and wind-heat. The Tiger-mouth push technique: Spread the thumb and index finger apart, apply force between the thumb and index finger of the thumb and index finger, and push and press from top to bottom. This method is mostly used for the limbs. Thumb Push: Extend the thumb and hold the other four fingers together. Push and press on the affected area or along the meridians. This method can be done with single or double fingers and is mostly used on the small joints of the head and limbs. It can achieve the effects of promoting Yang energy, dispelling pathogenic factors, relieving spasms and pain. Attention; This method requires even force application. Do not rub back. Only push forward in a certain direction, until the skin feels warm. Do not use brute force to avoid scratching the skin. The second method: Grasp the muscles, major tendons and the area around related acupoints with your five fingers. Place the force on your fingers and the area between your thumb and index finger. Squeeze inward and then quickly release. Repeat this process several times. Lifting method: When performing the holding technique, hold the muscle or major tendon and lift it upwards, then suddenly release it. Repeat this process several times. Pinching method: Use the third finger of the index finger to pinch the affected muscle inward and lift it up, gently shake it, then release it. Repeat this process several times. The force point of this method is the third finger. The above methods can achieve the effects of relaxing tendons and promoting blood circulation, relieving spasms and dispelling pathogenic factors. The third method: Pressing method: Place the palm on the pain point or acupoint of the affected area. The force should be applied to the entire palm, either with a single palm or with both palms stacked on top of each other. Press downward until the force reaches deep into the muscle, causing a sensation of soreness and distension at the affected area. The force should be applied moderately until the patient feels no pain. Vibration method: When performing the pressing method, raise the heel of the palm to a height of three inches and immediately lower it to strike. The force should reach the deep part of the muscle to disperse blood stasis and blocked meridians. The force should be even to make the patient feel relaxed. Do not use brute force with alternating light and heavy strikes. Note: This method is suitable for areas with thick muscles in the shoulders, back, waist and legs. Do not use it on other parts. The fourth method: Rubbing method. This method seems similar to the pushing method, but in fact, they are quite different. The pushing method mainly focuses on the thenar eminence at the base of the palm, while the rubbing method uses the palm surface and the crease surface of the fingers to slowly rub back and forth on the skin area. The movements should be gentle and coordinated. Kneading method: This method mainly involves gently and soothing circular kneading on the pain points or acupoints with one finger, two fingers, three fingers or the base of the palm. The fifth method: The tapping method. This method involves clenching the thumb, index finger, middle finger, index finger, or all five fingers into a fist, with the second joint of the middle finger protruding to form a crane top fist. By tapping, hitting, pinching, pressing, and tapping the relevant acupoints and pain points, it can quickly restore Yang energy, expel pathogenic factors, dispel wind and cold, promote the circulation of qi and blood, and relieve pain and spasms. Pinching method: This method is mostly used in first aid. In cases of acute coma such as drowning, stroke, or fainting, quickly use your thumb to pinch Baihui, Renzhong, Hegu, Sanyinjiao, and Yongquan. Pressing Gongyuan with your fingers can quickly bring the patient back to consciousness. The tapping method: This method is often used for headaches and dizziness caused by wind pathogen invasion of the head, excessive liver and gallbladder fire ascending to the head, and qi deficiency and blood deficiency. It can be done by using the strength of the fingertips of four fingers, tapping from the hairline in front of the forehead along the Du Meridian to the back of the head, and then tapping along the gallbladder meridians on both sides to the back of the head. The tapping speed should be fast and the points should be dense. The sixth method: Hammering Method. Gently clench your hands into hollow fists and rhythmically strike the shoulders, back, waist, abdomen and limbs with the yin-Yang hammering technique, alternating between light and heavy strikes. This method has the effect of relieving nodules and depression for internal organ disorders. For those with shoulder and back pain, chronic diseases, the elderly and weak, and those who have just recovered from serious illnesses, it can promote the circulation of qi and blood, relieve spasms and pain. The seventh method: Rolling method: First, bend the wrist and apply force to the root joints of the ten fingers, then activate the middle finger. Roll and press with the base of the ring finger and little finger, then turn the wrist and roll and press with the small and large thenar eminence, like a ball rolling. The force should be even and smooth. The applicable range is mostly on the chest, abdomen and back. If it is on the back, it should be rolled along the Governor Vessel and the three Yang meridians from top to bottom, repeated many times. It can soothe the liver and relieve depression, break blood stasis and relieve pain, strengthen the spleen and stomach, strengthen the muscles and bones, and regulate qi and blood. The eighth method: Rubbing method: Use the palms of both hands to hold the limbs and drive the skin and subcutaneous tissue to make rapid forward and backward movements, spiraling from top to bottom. This method is often used for the limbs. Twisting method: This method is mostly used for small joints, such as fingers and toes. The method involves holding the patient's finger or toe with the thumb and index finger. Twist back and forth to accelerate the flow of qi and blood in this area. The ninth method: Pulling Method. This method is applicable to the misalignment, dislocation, rotation of tendons in the limbs or small joints of hands and feet, as well as various sprains and injuries that affect the movement of muscles and bones. One hand can support the distal end of the affected limb, and the other hand can support the proximal end of the affected limb. Both hands should be used to pull and pull in opposite directions. For other conditions such as tight tendons and meridians, joint pain, and rotation caused by pathogenic factors, the shaking method and the shaking method can be combined. Shaking method: Grasp the ends of the patient's limb joints with one or both hands and shake them up and down. Shaking method: Mainly used on the limbs. Place one hand on the proximal end of the affected limb and support the distal end with the other hand. Shake and swing left and right to promote the circulation of qi and blood and smooth the joints.