Chapter 3 Methods

Self-massage along meridians and acupoints is a method of preventing and treating diseases. However, technical skill is a prerequisite, and skillful mastery of required techniques is very important in the practice of self-massage along the meridians and acupoints.
    
To direct the effect deep into the body, self-massage along meridians and acupoints should be persistent, powerful, even and gentle. This is according to experience gained over long years of practice.
    
"Persistent" means that pressure should be continued for a certain period of time; "powerful" means that the force of the touch should be appropriate to a person's overall health, the degree and nature of the illness, the affected area and the nature of a particular technique; "even" means that pressure should be rhythmical and moderate in speed and strength; "gentle" means that the pressure should be stable, soft and slow. The touch must be light but not floating, heavy but not sluggish and powerful but not rough. Any changes in pressure should be natural.

Section 1 Pressing

Pressing means to use the tips of the fingers, the palm heel or the palm itself to press the meridians, acupoints and other regions. Pressure is applied gradually and then maintained until sensations are felt such as aching, numbness, distension or pain. In performance of this technique, the part of the hand that presses the acupoints or meridians should be firm on the skin, vertical and without mobility. This technique can be applied to the whole body. It is characterized by its ability to soothe the meridians and activate the collaterals, regulating qi and stopping pain, eliminating obstruction and removing stagnation as well as regulating the functions of the viscera (see Fig. 1).

Section 2 Rubbing
    
Rubbing involves slow and coordinated rubbing using the fingers or palms on certain regions or acupoints in movements that can be linear or circular, clockwise or counterclockwise.
    
To assure comfort, rubbing should be neither heavy nor light but slow and gentle. The effect of rubbing can be transmitted deep into the skin. Commonly used on the chest, abdomen and hypochondria (the upper lateral region of the abdomen, marked by the lower ribs), rubbing is effective in improving circulation, subduing swelling, relieving pain, regulating qi, relaxing muscles and promoting digestion (see Fig. 2).

Section 3 Pushing
Pushing -- divided into thumb-pushing and palm-pushing techniques -- means to use the thumbs or palms with gradually increasing pressure on certain areas and meridians. The strength used should be steady; the speed slow, even, rhythmical; and the direction, focused and linear. Pushing can be applied to the upper and lower limbs as well as the head, chest and abdomen. It is effective in dredging meridians and collaterals, softening hardness and dissipating nodules as well as in improving circulation and relieving pain. It is one of the most commonly used techniques for self-massage along the meridians and acupoints (see Fig. 3).

Section 4 Squeezing
   
Squeezing means to squeeze with the thumb, index, middle and ring finger or the
thumb and the rest of the four fingers certain parts of the body or meridians and acupoints, usually in the area of the neck, shoulder, upper limbs and lower limbs. The technique is applied rhythmically with gradually increasing strength to provide strong stimulation. It is flexible but powerful. The pressure should be modified according to the situation. It is usually necessary to perform this technique until aching and distending sensations are felt. It is effective in expelling wind, dissipating cold, energizing the brain, stopping pain, soothing tendons and dredging collaterals (see Fig. 4)

Section 5 Kneading
    
Kneading means to use palm, or palm heel or fingers to press forcefully on the meridians, acupoints or regions from the front to the back, or from the left to the right, or from the shallow  region to the deep region with soft, gentle and rotating pressure that moves the subcutaneous tissues. In performance, the fingers and palms should stick to the skin without moving around. The pressure should be rhythmical, gentle and soft to provide moderate stimulation. It can be applied to all the regions of the body, meridians and acupoints. It is effective in energizing the brain, refreshing the body, soothing the chest, regulating qi, promoting digestion, increasing circulation, subduing swelling and relieving pain (see Fig. 5).

Section 6 Point-Pressing
    
Point-pressing means to press forcefully certain regions or acupoints with the thumb, or index finger or middle finger. The strength used to press is gradually increased, or the finger is pressed with a small robbing motion.
    
Point-pressing evolved from the pressing technique and is usually combined with kneading. The area of point-pressing is smaller than that of pressing, but the stimulation is stronger. It can be used for resuscitating the brain and relieving spasms. In performing the technique, the finger is used as a needle. In performance, the strength should be directed on the vertical and moderated from light to heavy, stable and persistent as well as penetrating till the sensations of aching, numbness and distension are felt. It can be applied to the head, abdomen, back, upper and lower limbs. It is effective in removing stagnation, stimulating blood circulation, relieving pain and regulating the viscera (see Fig. 6).

Section 7 Stroking
     Stroking means to use the palm and fingers to press on the skin over the meridians or regions, gradually reinforcing the strength and doing continuous, linear and swift stroking  from the upper to the lower or from the left to the right.
   
The pressure should be even and moderate to penetrate the skin and subcutaneous
region till the sensation of warmth is felt. It can be applied to the chest, back, lower and upper limbs. It is effective in relaxing muscles, relieving fatigue, expelling wi