🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The health experts of traditional Chinese medicine point out that the back, spine, armpit, and abdomen are important health protection zones in the human body. Strengthening these areas can promote blood circulation, regulate breathing, nourish internal organs, and serve as an effective method to strengthen the body and prolong life. Especially for couples performing health care before sleep, the operation is simpler and more effective, easily achieving fitness goals.
Back Massage: One person lies prone on the bed without a pillow, head turned sideways, arms relaxed. The other stands beside the bed facing the prone person's head, with legs slightly apart in a small bow stance. Both hands spread open with fingers aligned flatly placed on the upper back of the prone person (ensuring palms closely adhere to the back). Then apply force from waist and legs onto forearms and palms, moderately pushing forward so that the skin and muscles of the back instantly move along with the hand, moving downward from top to waist. Perform about 10 times, then have the prone person turn their head to the other side and repeat the massage about 10 times. Next, the operator clenches the right hand into a fist and uses wrist strength to gently tap the back, striking from top to bottom several times, then stop. Modern medicine confirms that the subcutaneous layer of the back contains a large number of "highly active" immune cells. Through back massage, these immune cells can be activated, achieving the purposes of unblocking meridians, promoting blood flow, harmonizing zang-fu organs, dispelling cold, and relieving pain.
Spinal捏脊 (Spinal Manipulation): One person lies prone on the bed, exposing the entire back. The other person uses both index and thumb fingers to pinch and lift the skin along both sides of the spine, two finger-widths away from the spine, starting from the sacral region, gently lifting the skin and slowly pulling it forward until reaching the highest vertebra at the neck—counted as one round. Repeat this process 4–6 consecutive rounds, counted as one session. During the second or third round, after every three pinches, lift the skin diagonally upward; if done properly, a slight sound may be heard between the second and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Finally, use both thumbs to rub and press the kidney俞穴 (Shenshu acupoints) on both sides of the lower back (located 4.5 cm lateral to the interspinous space between the second and third lumbar vertebrae) for a moment. Perform once nightly. Long-term practice can strengthen the spleen and stomach, improve appetite, enhance complexion, and prevent or slow the development of malnutrition.
Axillary Touch: The armpit area contains abundant blood vessels, nerves, and lymph nodes. When touched by someone else, the person being touched often bursts into laughter, which experts call “armpit exercise.” For couples, this activity is even more convenient and feasible. One person can lightly touch the other’s armpit when they’re not paying attention, causing them to laugh, or frequently gently stroke or tickle the armpit area to maintain a constant smile. The health benefits stem from at least two mechanisms: first, stimulating nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes here accelerates neurohumoral circulation, thereby delivering more oxygen and nutrients to other organs throughout the body. Second, touching the armpit induces laughter. Laughter activates all organs in the body, promotes secretion of beneficial hormones, enzymes, and acetylcholine, enhances immune function, prevents various diseases, especially benefiting the brain, heart, and lungs.
Abdominal Massage: This method can be performed by two people or self-administered. Lie down flat before sleep, warm your hands by rubbing them together, then place hands around the navel area and massage clockwise around the navel for dozens of circles, applying moderate force. Then, using the navel as center, massage counterclockwise for dozens of circles. Modern medicine confirms that regular abdominal massage promotes circulation of blood and lymph fluid, improves gastrointestinal function, facilitates intestinal peristalsis and digestive juice secretion, aids digestion and food intake. Moreover, abdominal massage stimulates peripheral nerves, boosts metabolism, helps prevent and reduce fat accumulation in the abdomen, making it an excellent remedy for weight loss.