🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Health massage involves using one’s own hands to knead, pinch, or tap specific body areas or acupoints to promote blood circulation, improve digestion, strengthen muscles and bones, and enhance resistance to illness. This type of massage is simple, easy to learn, convenient to use, and ideal for family health care. If elderly people practice it several times daily, they can prevent colds and alleviate lower back and leg pain.
Below are several massage techniques:
1. Dry Face Washing: Rub both palms together until warm, then mimic washing the face by rubbing the face in circular motions—first clockwise, then counterclockwise—until the face feels warm.
2. Scalp Combing: Spread both hands’ fingers across the sides of the head, combing from front to back and from outside to inside.
3. Eye Socket Rubbing: Place thumbs on both temples, index fingers on the eye sockets, and rub from inside outward, top to bottom repeatedly.
4. Temple Rubbing: Place thumbs on both temples and rub in circles—first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
5. Nasal Root Rubbing: Use thumbs or index fingers to rub up and down on both sides of the nasal root.
6. Fengchi Point Rubbing: Place thumbs on the Fengchi points at the back of the head, with the remaining four fingers naturally spread on both sides of the head, and repeatedly rub.
7. Neck Rubbing: Warm both palms, then rub back and forth on the back of the neck until the skin feels hot.
8. Shoulder Pinching: Place one hand on the opposite shoulder, thumb forward, four fingers behind, and repeatedly pinch and knead the shoulder muscles. Alternate sides.
9. Arm Kneading: Place one hand on the opposite arm, repeatedly kneading up and down—first the inner side, then the outer side. Alternate sides.
10. Abdominal Rubbing: Stack both hands on the abdomen and repeatedly rub, gradually increasing the area—first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
11. Waist Tapping: Place both hands on the same-side waist, rubbing from top to bottom. Then form fists and repeatedly tap the waist.
12. Calf Pinching: Place one calf on the opposite thigh, thumbs inward, fingers outward, and repeatedly knead up and down. Alternate sides.
13. Ankle Rotation: Place one calf on the opposite thigh, one hand on the Achilles tendon, repeatedly kneading; the other hand grasps the front of the foot, rotating the ankle clockwise then counterclockwise. Alternate sides.
14. Foot Kneading: Place one calf on the opposite thigh, one hand supporting the heel, the other hand repeatedly kneading the sole. Alternate sides.
Notes:
1. Massage is usually done sitting. Before starting, sit quietly for a moment and fully relax the body.
2. Adjust pressure to personal comfort—lighter on the head and face, slightly heavier on limbs and back.
3. You may perform the full routine or select a few movements. It’s best to massage the face upon waking and the whole body before bedtime.