Elderly Home Health Massage
Health massage involves using one's hands to knead, pinch, and tap specific areas or acupoints on the body to promote blood circulation, improve digestion, strengthen tendons and bones, and enhance resistance to disease. This type of massage is simple to learn and convenient to perform, making it suitable for home 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 the palms together until warm, then repeatedly rub the face in a circular motion—first clockwise, then counterclockwise—until the face feels warm.
2. Scalp Combing: Place fingers flat on both sides of the head and comb the scalp from front to back and from outside to inside, as if brushing hair.
3. Eye Socket Rubbing: Place thumbs on both temples and index fingers on the eye sockets; rub and stroke from inner to outer edges, starting from top to bottom.
4. Temple Rubbing: Place thumbs on both temples and repeatedly press and rub in a circular motion—first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
5. Nasal Root Rubbing: Use the 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 base of the skull, with the other four fingers naturally spread on both sides of the head; repeatedly press and rub.
7. Neck Rubbing: Warm the palms by rubbing them together, then place them at the back of the neck and rub back and forth until the skin feels warm.
8. Shoulder Pinching: Place one hand on the opposite shoulder, thumb forward and the other four fingers behind; repeatedly knead and lift the shoulder muscles. Alternate sides.
9. Arm Rubbing and Pinching: Place one hand on the opposite arm and repeatedly knead up and down, first the inner side, then the outer side. Alternate sides.
10. Abdominal Pressing and Rubbing: Stack both hands over the abdomen and repeatedly press and rub, gradually increasing the area from small to large, first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
11. Waist Tapping: Place both hands on the same-side waist and repeatedly rub from top to bottom. Then change palms into fists and repeatedly tap the waist.
12. Calf Pinching: Place one calf on the opposite thigh, thumbs inward and 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 and rotates the ankle joint clockwise first, then counterclockwise. Alternate sides.
14. Foot Rubbing and Pinching: Place one calf on the opposite thigh, one hand supporting the heel, the other hand repeatedly kneading the sole of the foot. Alternate sides.
Precautions:
1. Massage is generally performed while sitting. Before beginning, sit quietly for a moment to relax the entire body.
2. The intensity should be comfortable for the individual—lighter on the head and face, slightly heavier on limbs and back.
3. One may perform the full routine or select several movements. It is generally best to massage the head and face upon waking in the morning and the whole body before bedtime.