🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Lumbar massage promotes relaxation of tendons and meridians, enhances local blood circulation, relieves lumbar muscle fatigue, alleviates muscle spasms and back pain, improves lumbar mobility, and strengthens the waist.
1. Rub Mingmen Point: Mingmen lies in the depression below the second lumbar vertebra spinous process, opposite the umbilicus (Shenque point). Use the knuckle of the index finger (the tip of a clenched fist) from either hand placed on Mingmen. Press and rub clockwise 9 times, then counterclockwise 9 times. Repeat this sequence 36 times. Focus attention on Mingmen. Daily rubbing strengthens kidney yang and benefits the waist and spine.
2. Rub Shenshu Point: Shenshu is located 1.5 cun lateral to the second lumbar vertebra spinous process, level with Mingmen. Clench both hands into fists, place the index finger knuckles on both Shenshu points. Rub clockwise 9 times, then counterclockwise 9 times. Repeat 36 times. Focus attention on Shenshu. Daily rubbing nourishes yin, strengthens yang, tonifies kidneys, and fortifies the waist.
3. Rub Yaoyangguan Point: Yaoyangguan lies in the depression below the fourth lumbar vertebra spinous process. Use the index finger knuckle from either hand placed on Yaoyangguan. Rub clockwise 9 times, then counterclockwise 9 times. Repeat 36 times. Focus attention on Yaoyangguan. As the Du Meridian is yang in nature and this point serves as a gateway for yang energy, daily rubbing activates yang qi, strengthens the waist and knees, and benefits the lower jiao.
4. Rub Yaoyan Point: Yaoyan lies 3.8 cun lateral to the fourth lumbar vertebra spinous process, level with Yaoyangguan. Clench both hands into fists, place the index finger knuckles on both Yaoyan points. Rub clockwise 9 times, then counterclockwise 9 times. Repeat 36 times. Focus attention on Yaoyan. Daily rubbing activates blood flow, unblocks meridians, strengthens the waist, and nourishes the kidneys.
5. Lumbar Movement: Rub hands together until warm. Interlock fingers behind the waist, thumbs forward, fingers pressing on both Shenshu points. Rotate the waist and buttocks clockwise 9 times, then counterclockwise 9 times. Repeat 36 times. Mentally relax the waist. Daily movement loosens tendons, activates blood flow, lubricates joints, and strengthens lumbar muscles.
6. Pound Yaoyangguan Point: Form a fist with four fingers gripping the thumb. Keep wrists relaxed and use the back of the fist to tap Yaoyangguan point (below the fourth lumbar vertebra) 36 times. Focus attention on Yaoyangguan. Daily tapping invigorates yang qi and strengthens the waist and knees.
7. Grasp Weizhong Point: Weizhong lies at the center of the popliteal crease behind the knee. Rub hands together until warm, then simultaneously grasp and rub both Weizhong points using opposing pressure from thumb and other four fingers for about 1 minute. As stated in *The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion*: "Seek relief for back and waist at Weizhong." Daily grasping and rubbing soothes tendons, unblocks meridians, relieves spasm, and alleviates pain.
8. Pound Lumbar-Sacral Area: Form fists with four fingers gripping the thumb. Use the back of the fists to rhythmically tap along both sides of the lumbar spine down to the sacrum, 36 times on each side. Focus attention on the lumbar-sacral area and mentally relax it. Daily tapping activates blood flow, unblocks meridians, strengthens tendons and bones.
9. Rub the Waist: Warm hands by rubbing. Place both palms flat against the sides of the spine. Rub back and forth in straight lines along both sides of the waist, one up-and-down cycle counts as one round. Perform 108–180 rounds. Focus on increasing warmth spreading throughout the waist. Daily rubbing promotes qi flow, activates blood, warms meridians, disperses cold, strengthens the waist, and nourishes the kidneys. Perform lumbar massage twice daily—morning and evening—for consistent, noticeable results.