按法 An fa – pressing

Method
Pressing with the palm or pads of the fingers.
拇指按法 Mu zhi an fa – pressing with the thumb
中指按法 Zhong zhi an fa – pressing with the middle finger
掌按法 Zhang an fa – pressing with the palm
掌根按法 Zhang gen an fa – pressing with the base of the palm

Functions
Exert force steadily gradually increasing the pressure. Induces sensations of numbness, distention and radiation. Use the weight of the upper body leaning over the contact point of pressure. Can be used anywhere.
Used to soften tension and promote the circulation of qi and blood.

振法 Zhen fa – vibrating
Method

Using the tip of the middle or index finger, or the palm, the arm is vibrated gently. Pressure is gentle.

Functions
Using the qi circulation from the dan tian through lao gong or the tip of the finger it can be used anywhere on the body.
It is used to calm the mind, brighten the eyes, strengthen the mind, warm the middle jiao, promote the flow of qi, harmonize the stomach and promote peristalsis.

摩法 Mo fa – rubbing
Method
Rub with the palm or one or more of the pads of the fingers in circular movments. Use gentle, mild pressure.

掌摩法 Zhang mo fa – rubbing with the palm
指摩法 Zhi mo fa – rubbing with the pads of the fingers (except the thumb)

Functions
Useful to relieve liver qi stasis, to promote qi and blood circulation, harmonize the stomach, relieve food stagnation and regulate peristalsis.

抖法 Dou fa – shaking
Method
Holding either a hand or foot, gently shake, with small amplitude the limb. Establish a steady vibration, that as the patient relaxes, spreads increasingly through their body. Do not pull too much on the limb. The patient should be encouraged to relax the limb while you bear the weight and shake gently.

A variation of this can be done by resting the base of the palm against one side of the spine, and gently pushing it away from yourself, letting it return, then pushing again, until a vibration along the length of the spine is set up, similar to in the limb.

Functions
Often combined with cuo fa. It is used to relax the muscles and sinews and regulate the flow of qi and blood.

Indications
Pain and dysfunction in a limb, back pain, cold hands and feet, sciatica and hip or shoulder pain.

揉法 Rou fa – kneading
Method
Kneading with the tip of the middle finger, base of palm or elbow, back and forth and in small circles, gradually increasing the pressure and size of the movements.

中指揉法 Zhong zhi rou fa – kneading with the middle finger
拇指揉法 Mu zhi rou fa – kneading with the thumb
掌根揉法 Zhang gen rou fa – kneading with the base of the palm
大鱼际揉法 Da yu ji rou fa – kneading with the major thenar eminence
肘揉法 Zhou rou fa – kneading with the elbow

Functions
Used all over the body. The middle finger tip for the face and on small points, the larger areas like the base of the palm or elbow are used on larger muscles like the back and gluteals. Using the middle finger and thumb is milder and more superficial than the base of the palm or elbow.

Useful to soothe depression, regulate the flow of qi and blood, relieve swelling, harmonize the stomach, stop pain and calm the mind.

点法 Dian fa – pressing
Method
Pressing forcefully with the tip of middle finger or thumb, or with the knuckle of a bent finger. It is a strong, deep, penetrating sensation applied to points giving a similar sensation and effect as needling.

中指点法 Zhong zhi dian fa – pressing with the middle finger
拇指点法 Mu zhi dian fa – pressing with the tip of the thumb
指节点法 Zhi jie dian fa – pressing with an interphalangeal joint

Functions
Used to treat pain from spasms, pain from stubborn qi and blood stasis, pain from old injuries, to relieve numbness and paralysis.

擦法 Ca fa – rubbing
Method
Using moderate force so as not to abrade the skin, rub with the base of palm on the skin. Similar to Mo but Ca is in one direction rather than circular. Usually done rapidly in short bursts. To minimize the abrasion to skin, oil, ointment, or talcum powder is often used as a lubricant.

掌擦法 Zhang ca fa – rubbing with the palm
大鱼际擦法 Da yu ji ca fa – rubbing with the major thenar eminence
小鱼际擦法 Xiao yu ji ca fa – rubbing with the minor thenar eminence

Functions
Has a warming effect. Useful to warm the channels and alleviate pain, expel wind and dispel cold, relieve swelling and soften masses, and to promote the circulation of qi and blood.

衮法 Gun fa – rolling
Method
Rolling with the edge and back of the hand. The hand and arm should be kept soft and relaxed.

Functions
Can be used on a large area. It has an invigorating and penetrating effect. It is used to relax the muscles and tendons, activating the channels and collaterals, expelling wind and dispelling cold, warming the channels, resolving damp, promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, relieving spasms, softening adhesions and lubricating the joints.

击法 Ji fa – tapping
Method
Tapping the area with the minor thenar eminence, the edge of the hand, the pads of the fingers, or the back of the hand. Sometimes thin mulberry branches, or something similar are used. These can help save fatigue in the hands and provide a stronger sensation.

The part of the hand used is often determined by the area to be treated. Large muscles groups such as on the low back or thigh can be tapped with the edge of the hand, or the back of the hand. when tapping with the edge of the hand, the point of contact is the base of the fingers and the edge of the palm. Keeping the hand relaxed, so that when tapping the fingers bounce and the palm collapses a little on impact. When tapping with the back of the hand, the hand is held in a loose fist, so that some of the impact is absorbed by the collapsing hand. Tapping with the minor thenar eminence can be used on smaller muscles. tapping the ends of the fingers can be used on specific points. When tapping the ends of the fingers, the fingers should be relaxed, so that as they make contact, they bend a little, absorbing some of the impact.

Hard tapping should be avoided over organs.

Functions
Tapping functions the relax the tendons, dredge the collaterals, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and regulate the circulation of qi and blood.

Indications
Bi syndrome especially from wind and damp, numbness, muscular spasm, and paralysis.

扳法 Ban fa – stretching
Method
Stretching indivdual joints, sections of the spine, individual muscles or muscle groups. Special care needs to be paid to the anatomy and the range of motion of the area to be stretched. Generally other techniques are used prior to ban fa, to relax the connective tissue and the joint, and to allow the practitioner to familiarize themselves with the patient and their condition.

Given the force that can be applied, care should be taken to not cause injury. The above techniques should be mastered first to develop the sensitivity to not cause injury with some of the more forceful techniques.

Functions
Stretching can break up joint adhesions, lubricate the joints, improve range of motion and reduce inflamation in joints.

Indications
Bi syndrome, joint injuries, muscle spasm, nerve impingment and poor circulation.