Five Massage Techniques for Insomnia
Many people suffer from insomnia. Below are several traditional massage therapies for insomnia for your reference.
For the patient lying supine, the practitioner sits above the patient’s head. Using the index and middle fingers of the right hand, press Jingming point 3–5 times, then use one or both thumbs to push from Yintang toward the temples along the eyebrow ridge and forehead for 5–10 minutes. Next, place both thumbs on the temples and use the remaining four fingers to rub the posterior neck area from Fengchi to the sides of the neck, repeating twice. Finally, press and stimulate Baihui point with both thumbs.
For the patient sitting upright, the practitioner stands to the right of the patient. Use the five fingers of the right hand to push from the front hairline to the back hairline 5–7 times. Then stand behind the patient and grasp the sternocleidomastoid muscles on both sides, kneading the Jianjing point 3–5 times.
For the patient lying prone, the practitioner uses rolling and pressing techniques on the back for 3–5 minutes. For those with heart-spleen deficiency, additional rubbing around Shenshu (bilaterally), Guanyuanshu, followed by pressing and stimulating Shenmen, Zusanli, and Sanyinjiao.
Self-massage: At bedtime, the patient may sit on the bed and perform the following:
(1) Rub Baihui 50 times.
(2) Rub Shenshu 50 times.
(3) Rub Qihai and Guanyuan below the navel 50 times.
(4) Rub Zusanli and Sanyinjiao each 50 times.
(5) Rub Yongquan 100 times.
(6) Lie supine and perform slow, even deep breathing for 30 times, focusing mentally on the dantian to fall asleep.
Before sleep each night, first rub Zusanli and Sanyinjiao for 1 minute each, then press and pinch Neiguan and Shenmen for 1 minute. Then use the base of both palms to rub the back, aiming for a warming sensation, especially focusing on Xinshu, Pishu, and Ganshu. Finally, lie down with eyes closed, relax completely, refrain from distractions, and continuously rub Jingming points on both sides with the thumb and index finger for 3–5 minutes to induce sleepiness.