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Acu-pressure massage or Tuina, has been used for 2000 years and is widely used in Chinese medicine. The techniques are simple and fairly easy to manipulate. It can be used on its own, but usually in conjunction with other treatment forms.

TCM massage therapy promotes qi and blood flow, helps to remove obstructions in the meridians and relieves stagnation. Different forms of pressure are applied depending on whether the aim is to tonify, to reduce, or to achieve a relative neutral, calming effect.

Massage is given on particular regions, acupoints or along the meridians, so that qi movement can be stimulated to rebalance the internal environment.

Sample of a massage module:

• Knead the palm root on the qi-hai and guan-yuan points 30 times respectively;
• Rub with palm from the shen-que to dan-tian region forward and backward 30 times respectively;
• Wipe with the hand side on the yao-yan point 30 times;
• Wipe with the hand side along the sacral bone 30 times;
• Press and knead with finger on the zu-san-li and san-yin-jiao points 30 times respectively. (See graphic on previous page.)

This module enhances kidney yang and fortifies the lower burner, which helps in menstrual irregularities and infertility.

Foot massage, also called reflexology, is a method of massage that relieves nervous tension through the application of finger pressure to the feet.

Among the twelve regular meridians, the three yang meridians and three yin meridians along the legs all communicate in the feet directly. TCM notices that there is a mirror site in the sole of the foot for a particular part of the body; thus, it can restore imbalances and cure disorders by massaging the correct reflex points on the soles. This can be viewed as a variation of acu-pressure massage.

For female infertility, massage is usually performed on reflex points like the kidney, bladder and reproductive gland in the feet. See graphic for reference.

Sample of a massage module:

• Bathe the feet with warm water for 30 minutes;
• Massage the left foot first, press on the kidney point, push and press from the kidney to the bladder point; then press the ureter point, press the bladder point again;
• Strike by finger on the reproductive glands, pituitary and spleen points;
• Push the liver point;
• Finally, press the kidney points, push and press the ureter and bladder point repeatedly.
• Repeat the above for the right foot.