Chinese Massage Therapy

Author: Chief Editor: Li Yefu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-10-01
Features: Preface to the Compilation
"Tuina Therapeutics" is a compulsory course in the field of traditional Chinese medicine tuina, a highly practical clinical subject. During the compilation process, we extensively collected the experiences of renowned tuina practitioners from various regions, combined them with our own insights, and referred to relevant tuina monographs and textbooks. The book is divided into three parts: Part One primarily discusses the principles of tuina effects, treatment principles, basic therapeutic methods, and related issues such as tuina point selection and prescription. Part Two focuses on introducing common diseases and syndromes with better tuina efficacy, including internal medicine, gynecology, ophthalmology and otolaryngology, soft tissue injuries, and joint dislocations. Part Three introduces self-tuina methods for common diseases, tuina mediums, and heat application. This book is edited by Li Yefu of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with Wang Zhonghua of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Wu Zhenhui of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine as deputy editors, and reviewed by Zang Fuke of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The contributors include Fang Xiangming, Wang Zhonghua, Wang Shanran, Bai Xiaoman, Che Junsheng, Li Yefu, Yu Runming, Wu Zhenhui, Shang Lili, Lu Zhenqian, Zhang Shaoyang, Zhang Jianhua, Fei Jixiang, Luo Zuliang, Xi Zhongfen, and Pei Renhe.
Preface Excerpt:
III. Strengthening the Body and Expelling Pathogenic Factors
The onset and progression of diseases are essentially a process of struggle between the body's vital Qi (zheng Qi) and external pathogenic factors (xie Qi). If the vital Qi is strong, the pathogenic factors cannot invade, and the disease subsides. Conversely, if the pathogenic factors are overwhelming, the vital Qi cannot overcome them, and the disease worsens. Therefore, the treatment of diseases involves strengthening the vital Qi and expelling pathogenic factors, altering the balance of power between them, and directing the process toward a healthier outcome.
"Excess pathogenic factors lead to excess (), while depletion of vital Qi leads to deficiency ()," and the dominance of pathogenic or vital factors determines whether the disease manifests as excess or deficiency.
"Tonify when deficient and drain when excess,"—this is the practical application of the principle of strengthening the body and expelling pathogenic factors. Strengthening the body () corresponds to tonification, used for deficiency conditions, while expelling pathogenic factors () corresponds to draining, used for excess conditions. Although strengthening the body and expelling pathogenic factors are two distinct therapeutic approaches, they are mutually supportive and complementary. In tuina therapy, they are achieved through manipulation techniques and exercises to enhance physical fitness, regulate Qi flow, and improve the body's resistance to pathogens, thereby expelling disease and restoring health.
IV. Tailoring Treatment to Time, Place, and Patient
The onset and progression of diseases are influenced by multiple factors. Therefore, treatment must consider various conditions, such as seasonal climate and geographical environment. Particularly, the individual constitution of the patient has a significant impact on the disease. Patients differ in age, constitution, gender, lifestyle, tolerance, and occupation, requiring tailored treatments. Thus, in tuina therapy, the principle of tailoring treatment to time, place, and patient must be followed when selecting treatment areas, points, techniques, and the intensity of stimulation. For example, if a patient has a strong constitution, the treatment area may be the waist, buttocks, or limbs, the affected area may be deep, and the stimulation intensity should be high. If the patient has a weak constitution or is a child, the treatment area may be the head, face, chest, or abdomen, the affected area may be superficial, and the stimulation intensity should be low. Additionally, the direction of manipulation and the duration of treatment may vary. Moreover, a patient's occupation, work nature, and conditions may be related to the onset of certain diseases, and these factors should also be considered during diagnosis and treatment to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.
V. Treating Different Diseases with the Same Method and the Same Disease with Different Methods
For the same disease, different treatment methods may be employed based on its etiology, pathogenesis, and stage of progression, known as "treating the same disease with different methods" (). Conversely, different diseases may be treated with the same method if their etiology, pathogenesis, or pathological stage are similar, known as "treating different diseases with the same method" (). In tuina therapy, injuries, headaches, insomnia, stomach pain, gastric prolapse, menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, pediatric diarrhea, vomiting, malnutrition, cough, and fever can all be treated according to these principles.
Treatment Methods
Tuina is one of the external treatment methods in traditional Chinese medicine, with its fundamental therapeutic approaches based on basic TCM theories. These methods primarily involve tonifying deficiency and draining excess, strengthening the body and expelling pathogenic factors, harmonizing Yin and Yang, restoring the balance of Qi and blood, and ultimately achieving the goal of treating diseases. Based on the nature and intensity of tuina techniques, combined with the characteristics of the disease, its location, and the effects of tuina, the treatment methods are categorized into eight types: warming (), tonifying (), promoting circulation (), draining (), inducing sweating (), harmonizing (), dispersing (), and clearing (). The following sections describe these methods in detail.