🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Getting a neck rub or back tap during haircuts, spa treatments, or beauty services has become a common way for people to relax, unwind, or even treat illness. To meet this demand, many bathhouses, gyms, and beauty salons now advertise “health massage” services. However, reporters found that many small beauty and hair salons employ masseurs who do not even know basic acupoints like Renzhong or Zusanli, let alone perform correct massage techniques. Medical experts warn that while massage is an effective traditional therapy, untrained individuals performing it can pose serious risks—ranging from skin and soft tissue damage to nerve and bone injury, potentially leading to paralysis or even death. Consumers should seek massage therapy only at reputable institutions.
Case 1: Improper Massage Causing Paralysis
Zhao, a resident of Nanjing, was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation last year. He visited major hospitals in Nanjing and Shanghai, where doctors recommended surgery. Afraid of surgery, he searched for non-surgical remedies. Hearing that a local health massage center could cure his condition without surgery, Zhao began daily massages. Initially, he felt no pain in his back, so he stopped visiting hospitals. Three months later, he was unable to stand again.
Dr. Zhang Jianming, Deputy Director and Chief of Orthopedics at Shanghai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, said Zhao eventually underwent surgery in Shanghai but still suffered permanent lower limb paralysis and urinary incontinence. The unqualified practitioner performed aggressive manipulations, worsening his already pathological disc condition. Excessive force caused further disc damage and rupture into the spinal canal, compressing the spinal cord and cauda equina nerves, resulting in paralysis.
Case 2: Uncontrolled Back Kicking Damaging Spine
Song, a consultant at a local talent agency, developed cervical spondylosis from prolonged office work. During a weight-loss session at a private slimming center, staff recommended a “therapeutic massage” for her condition. After the massage, she felt relief in her neck. The masseur suggested adding a “back-kicking” session for better results.
Song lay face-down on the massage table, and a young girl wearing soft sports shoes began kicking her back. Initially, she felt comfortable, but as the pressure increased, she endured the pain. For days afterward, she experienced sharp pain along her spine. A medical check-up revealed uneven pressure had injured her spine.
Doctors at Shanghai Southeast Hospital’s Rehabilitation Center pointed out that while massage is a common treatment for cervical spondylosis, it isn’t suitable for all patients. For example, those with myelopathic cervical spondylosis already have narrowed spinal canals, reducing the cushioning space for the spinal cord. Inappropriate massage techniques can cause the spinal cord to collide, worsening injury.
Back-kicking involves applying force to bones, joints, and soft tissues, posing higher risks of damaging nerves, bones, and soft tissues. Many staff in massage and back-kicking establishments lack professional training; some only know basic常识. If someone wishes to use massage or back-kicking to treat a disease, it is best to go to a professional medical rehabilitation institution and choose service providers with proper certification and expertise.
Issue: Unlicensed Masseurs
Currently, massage is divided into two categories: medical massage (medical in nature, mainly conducted in hospitals) and health massage (social service nature, provided by massage parlors, hotels, beauty salons, etc.).
An anonymous expert from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine noted that medical massage in formal hospitals is generally well-regulated, and most practitioners hold valid medical licenses. However, the health massage market is much more complex. A qualified health masseur should possess systematic knowledge, professional skills, and rehabilitation training, passing strict examinations before obtaining certification. Yet, many small hair salons and beauty shops employ staff without formal vocational training, and some even work without licenses.
The expert also warned that untrained individuals often use rough, improper techniques, easily causing soft tissue injuries or joint dislocations. When using alcohol-based, tincture-based, or medicated ointments as massage mediums, improper application may lead to skin burns, bruises, or even ulcers. Additionally, massaging someone with infectious diseases may result in cross-infection.
In a large residential area on Caobao Road in Shanghai, there are over ten beauty and hair salons, nearly all offering health massage services. Journalists visited two of them under the pretense of purchasing beauty packages. Seeing a young woman giving shoulder massage to a recently haircut client, the reporter casually asked her where the Renzhong acupoint is. The woman looked puzzled, then replied, “I don’t study such things.” Another salon, fearing loss of business, quickly called in a beautician to explain. Ironically, many non-medical people know about “pressing Renzhong.”
Similarly, when asking a foot therapy center masseur about the location of Zusanli—the most important foot acupoint—no accurate answer was given.
Solution: Mandatory “Four Certificates” for Massage Industry
Since last year, the municipal labor security department and other agencies have introduced regulations to strengthen massage industry management. All massage service personnel in Shanghai must hold four certificates:
· A primary-level or higher (including primary) health massage therapist occupational qualification certificate issued by the labor and social security department;
· A Shanghai special industry and public place safety training certificate issued by the police department;
· A health examination certificate with a stamp indicating successful hygiene training assessment;
· Personnel providing massage services in bathing (foot spa) facilities must obtain a job certificate (name badge) from the Shanghai Bathing Industry Association by presenting their occupational qualification certificate (labor department), safety training certificate (police department), and health certificate (health department).