Round Rubbing Method / Mo Fa, Rou Fa and An Rou Fa Flashcards
What is An Rou Fa?
REVOLVING METHOD (AN ROU FA) is a combination of pressing and kneading. It is a deeper, more penetrating technique than kneading, and is mainly applied with the muscles of the forearm and, occasionally, with the tip of the elbow.
Where is the rubbing method used?
Back, abdomen, chest, buttocks and shoulders
What are the effects of the Rubbing method?
• Relaxes muscles • Relieves muscle spasms and eases pain • Moves stagnant qi and blood • Expels wind • Clears heat • Improves digestive organ functions and therefore digestion • Work in a clockwise direction to strengthen and tonify, and anti-clockwise to clear or reduce
What can the rubbing method treat?
- Epigastric and abdominal pain
- Painful periods
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
What is Mo Fa?
Round Rubbing method.
What are the mechanics of Mo Fa?
One palm: rub with palm in a circular motion, focus on PC8 (smooth and light pressure), 100-120 circles/min, 36 clockwise, 36 anticlockwise.
Tai Chi Mo Fa / Joined palms: Interlock palms on patients belly, rub with circular motion (CV4 or 6), clockwise, strengthening/tonifying/warming.
Where should Mo Fa be used?
Head Chest Ribs Belly Lower back Points (use finger method)
What are the functions of Mo Fa?
Applied to the abdomen, chest & hypochondria
Warms & harmonises Middle Jiao, strengthens Stomach & Spleen, improves digestion, regulates Intestines, removes food stagnation, soothes Liver, moves Qi stagnation, disperses Cold, relieves abdominal swelling
Applied to the head
Expels W ind, Disperse Cold, Calms Shen
Applied to lower back
Tonifies Kidney, strengthens & warms Mingmen
What is the technique of Mo Fa?
Slowly = tonify & strengthen Briskly = move & clear Belly • Clockwise to treat constipation • Anti-clockwise to treat diarrhoea • Small anti-clockwise circles in a large clockwise circle to tonify Spleen Qi.`
What are the indications of Mo Fa?
Digestive disorders Commonly used points: CV12, CV8, ST25, KI15, SP15
Menstrual & fertility disorders Commonly used points: ST30, KI13, CV8
Headaches, insomnia, shock,
anxiety & depression Commonly used points: Yintang, DU20, Taiyang, Anmian, GB20
What is Rou Fa?
Kneading.
Versatile & flexible technique
Apply anywhere on the body
Use thumb, fingers, palm, forearm or elbow
Generates warmth through relatively slow circular technique.
Deep and gentle technique to move the underlying muscles, not superficial on the skin.
What are the mechanics of Rou Fa?
Palm on belly: PC8 or Cv12/CV6, use arm weight + little pressure & knead circularly to move muscle, Start slow build to 100 circles/min
Rou Fa with forearm on belly: Ulnar side of arm on belly in line with navel (ST25/SP15/KI16), Knead with forearm (clockwise)
Working on points (thumb): Pad of thumb onto point. Use arm weight, Knead gently & slowly, Tonify = clockwise. Minimum 3 mins.
Disperse = anti- clockwise. 1.5 mins faster with more pressure
Where should Rou Fa be used?
Face & head Major thenar area/thumbs/middle finger Shoulders, back, hips, legs Palm heel, palm, thenar areas, forearm Arms Palm heel, thenar areas, fingers, thumbs Abdomen Forearm, fingers, thumb Large muscles (back, hips, thigh) Elbow Points Thumb, finger
What are the functions of Rou Fa?
Stimulates actions of points
Invigorates & regulates Qi & Blood flow
Reduces swelling
Relaxes muscles & relieves spasm, stops pain
Dredges the channels
Expels Wind & Cold
Opens the chest
Strengthens the Stomach & Spleen, harmonises Middle Jiao Calms the Mind
Subdue Liver Yang, clear Liver Heat, soothe Liver (brisk, strong elbow & forearm)
What are the indications of Rou Fa?
Headaches, migraines & dizziness Insomnia Constipation, diarrhoea, epigastric & hypochondriac pain Chest oppression Menstrual pain Muscular pain, numbness, stiffness, spasm, Bi Syndrome Backache Soft tissue injury, sprains Hemiplegia Stress, anxiety, depression
