🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Benefits for the Nation, Society, and Self
Recently, reporters visited blind wellness massage clinics such as Aide, Fudian, and Kangxin in Yinchuan. The rooms were clean and elegant, with neatly arranged massage beds and freshly laundered sheets, pillowcases, and massage cloths changed after each use. Accompanied by soft background music, clients enjoyed comfortable massages and occasionally chatted. From conversations, it became clear these blind massage clinics have become regular destinations for people with sub-health conditions. Retired official Mr. Wu, nearing retirement age, has consistently received full-body wellness massages once a week for over three years, feeling mentally refreshed and physically energetic. Student Xiao Zhu from Yinchuan No.1 High School fell while playing basketball, resulting in numbness and severe pain in his thigh, forcing him to take a leave of absence. After several rounds of massage therapy, he is now able to ride a bicycle to school again. Mr. Hu, a corporate executive, said that despite being constantly busy and exhausted, taking a massage break is the best form of rest and mental adjustment. Other clients, such as Ms. Jiang and Ms. Yan, suffer from neck, shoulder, and back discomfort due to prolonged computer use, making massage an indispensable part of their routine.
From the Autonomous Region’s Association for the Disabled, we learned that among the region’s 280,000 disabled individuals, there are 42,000 blind people, with less than 10% employed. Of those employed, most work in massage. They earn their living through excellent skills and diligent service, standing independently in society. Many achieve annual incomes equal to or exceeding the average income of local employed workers. Xü Yongfeng, aged 28, lost his sight completely and graduated four years ago from Tongliao Love Massage School. He moved to Yinchuan to become a masseur and opened Kangxin Blind Wellness Massage Clinic with family support last year. “I earn my living through my own abilities, and I’ve even hired six assistants, creating job opportunities for other blind people,” said Mr. Xü proudly.
There are currently hundreds of blind masseurs like Mr. Xü in our region, including many outstanding ones. Masseurs Qi Dapeng and Wang Jie were both awarded the national title of “Self-Reliance Model” last year. Deputy Director Ma Yuyi of the Ningxia Disabled Persons’ Federation expressed delight, saying the development of blind massage in Ningxia has helped many blind people overcome poverty, elevate their social status, and demonstrated to society that blind people are not burdens but valuable contributors to society.
False Claims and Deception
“If it weren’t for those female staff members tarnishing the reputation of the massage industry, our business would be much better,” said blind masseurs. It is reported that among the hundreds of massage clinics in Ningxia, only about 40 have been officially registered and reviewed by the Disabled Persons’ Federation. Several others falsely claim to be blind-run, yet have very few or no actual blind employees. Some even have owners from catering or hairdressing backgrounds hiring one or two blind people merely as a facade to open massage clinics, severely disrupting the market.
In Jin Feng District of Yinchuan, a rehabilitation center advertised “blind massage.” When someone called to book an appointment, they were told the blind masseurs were on leave. After multiple calls, each time being told the blind doctors were temporarily unavailable and suggesting another masseur, the caller finally realized there were no blind people at all. Similarly, “Zhiren Massage Clinic” on Shengli South Street and “Jiankang Yuan” on Jinnan North Street had no blind staff but still displayed “blind massage” signs. Recently, after intervention by the Disabled Persons’ Association, the authorities removed the signs. A middle-aged woman initially came to a blind clinic as a patient, experienced the effectiveness of the treatment, and decided to open her own clinic in July of last year. She hired blind people at high salaries as mere decorations, while the core staff consisted of female attendants. The blind masseurs soon left upon realizing the situation, but the word “blind” remained on the sign for a long time. Worse still, some clinics used names like Fudian and Aide to mislead customers. In Zhongning County, a clinic called “Dede Massage” claimed to be a branch of Aide Massage Center, but the director of Aide Massage Center, Wang Jie, stated they never opened branches outside the county.
Feng Lizhi, a blind woman, graduated from Luoyang Blind Massage College in 1997. After working in Shenzhen for three years, she returned to Yinchuan to establish Yikang Blind Massage Center. She said many able-bodied people falsely claim to be blind to open massage clinics, inventing excuses to evade taxes. They exploit government support for the disabled, exploiting policy loopholes, competing unfairly with disabled people for jobs, seriously hindering the development of the blind massage industry.
Blind Massage Needs Regulation
Several residents of Yinchuan reported that a “Shukang Blind Massage Clinic” located opposite Yinchuan First People’s Hospital once operated by promoting a 1,200-yuan massage machine. After a few months, the clinic disappeared—when contacted, the number was disconnected, and the original location was empty. The market includes many blind masseurs who lack proper tuina skills and hastily open businesses. Some are dishonest, fleeing overnight to avoid rent payments. Customers who paid 1,000 yuan for a gold card allowing 40 sessions were left with no recourse. Instead of improving technical proficiency, service quality, and environment, some blind massage clinics engage in price wars. One charges 10 yuan for 30 minutes, another offers 8 yuan for 45 minutes, and a third charges 10 yuan for two hours—eventually operating at a loss and closing down. In Lingwu City, competition drove prices down to just 3 yuan per session, leading to the closure of three out of four clinics. Despite having a history of over ten years, blind massage in Shizuishan has never truly flourished.
Chairman Qi Dapeng of the Ningxia Blind Persons’ Association expressed anxiety: blind massage requires high technical knowledge, not just labor. Without demonstrating medical skill, the profession will decline. The state invests heavily in training blind individuals, yet some cannot secure stable employment. As blind massage practitioners, we must continuously improve our personal qualities, avoid destructive competition, prevent devaluation of our labor, and avoid going bankrupt and returning to being a burden on society and families.
Multiple blind masseurs reported that labor departments and disability employment agencies issue certifications loosely, increasing the number of certificates but not ensuring quality. Fewer than half of those certified actually possess real skills. Applying for massage clinic registration is simple: as long as one has a disability certificate and a hygiene permit, registration is granted. While the intention behind this support is good, could it inadvertently cause problems? Standardized management and orderly operation are urgently needed. They call for the swift establishment of a unified legal framework for blind massage services, the creation of regional “Regulations on the Management of the Blind Massage Market,” and unified oversight by relevant authorities to standardize the industry and set uniform pricing. Those lacking qualifications should have their licenses revoked.
They also recommend that the Disabled Persons’ Federation, labor employment departments, and education departments incorporate blind massage training into formal, standardized channels. The government should provide policy support, prioritizing employment of qualified blind individuals in the wellness massage sector, offering tax reductions for employers hiring many blind people. Establish a blind massage association to organize annual skill exchanges, business competitions, and evaluations.