🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Foot massage is not just a luxury at beauty salons. After returning home each evening, soaking your feet in hot water and letting your partner’s hands massage, rub, pull, and press your soles and insteps can lead to complete physical and mental relaxation, helping you fall into a sweet, peaceful sleep—a truly delightful experience. Indeed, proper foot massage can also enhance immunity and help prevent or treat related diseases.
We specially invited Li Deputy Chief Physician, a renowned foot therapy expert awarded the title of "Special Skill Doctor" by the Ministry of Health, who shares several practical foot massage techniques at home targeting four common autumn ailments, enabling you to enjoy wellness and health simultaneously.
Guide One: Autumn Dryness, Constipation, and Dry Cough
Constipation mainly results from insufficient colon movement. During massage, focus on stimulating the colon reflex zone on the foot—the left and right soles near the heel, shaped like a door frame and right angle respectively. Massaging the anus zone located about four fingers above the inner ankle also yields similar effects. Note: Constipation is a real excess condition, so “excess should be drained”—thus, stronger pressure during massage is better.
Key Points: Colon, Anus
To treat cough, first stimulate the lung and bronchial reflex zones. Upper body lymphatic glands have anti-inflammatory effects. Adrenal cortex hormones secreted by the adrenal glands can relieve cough, reduce inflammation, and counteract allergies. The kidney regulates dryness in autumn, making these areas key reflex zones during massage.
Key Points: Lung, Bronchus, Upper Body Lymphatic Glands, Adrenal Glands, Kidney
Guide Two: Insomnia and Nervous Exhaustion
Both heels contain an insomnia point. Since the heart governs Shen (spirit), and the heart is internally linked to the small intestine, as well as the abdominal cavity influencing nervous tension, stimulation of the heart, small intestine, and abdominal cavity reflex zones is essential.
Key Points: Pelvic Cavity, Heart, Small Intestine, Abdominal Cavity
Guide Three: Fatigue and Lower Back Pain
The kidney, ureter, and bladder promote lactic acid excretion—lactic acid being the main cause of fatigue. Abnormalities in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae directly lead to lower back pain. The parathyroid gland regulates calcium metabolism and enhances muscle and nerve excitability.
Key Points: Kidney-Ureter-Bladder, Cervical Vertebrae, Thoracic Vertebrae, Lumbar Vertebrae, Parathyroid Gland
Guide Four: Autumn Colds
Autumn colds are primarily due to damage to respiratory organs such as the lungs, nose, and throat.
Key Points: Lung, Bronchus, Nose, Throat, Trachea
Quick Reminders
Before massage, soak feet in hot water—add more hot water if cooled—maintain for about 30 minutes. Adding herbs tailored to specific conditions can enhance effectiveness. For insomniacs, soaking feet helps blood flow downward, aiding sleep—soaking longer is recommended.
Massage intensity varies by person and condition, and some discomfort is inevitable. If too painful, reduce pressure—but ensure sufficient pain at critical points for therapeutic effect.
After massage, drink plenty of water to aid metabolic waste elimination.
Contraindicated Times: Avoid massage within one hour after meals.
Unsuitable Individuals: Patients with acute myocardial infarction or acute heart failure must avoid foot massage. Pregnant women should use caution, and elderly individuals should receive lighter stimulation.