wks 3, 4, 5 - hand techniques Flashcards
how do you perform Grasping?
- like squeezing water out of towel w/ hands & fingers
- use slow, even force to grasp, hold, and release muscles & tendons
- squeeze sequentially so qi & blood are pushed in paticular directions
what are benefits of Grasping?
lifts & separates muscles from each other & from bone
where can you use Grasping?
neck, traps, limbs, thigh
what are contraindications for Grasping?
grasping trapezius on people w/ history of pneumothorax or those at risk (i.e. elderly, young, thin males)
how do you perform Kneading?
- lift, hold, pull, twist, and release tissue
- lift & roll the tissue like kneading dough
what are benefits of Kneading?
- disperses stagnation
- moves qi & blood
- releases spasms
- helps break adhesions
- lifts & separates muscles from each other & from bone
where can you use Kneading?
muscles of neck, back, shoulders, limbs
what are contraindications for Kneading?
kneading on trapezius of people w/ history of pneumothorax or those at risk (i.e. elderly, young, thin males)
how do you perform Pinching?
- use hand like a pincer to lift & then release muscles (avoid using fingertips)
- quickly lift & release muscles
what are benefits of Pinching?
- when lift, qi & blood enter empty space; when release, qi & blood pulsed forward (like sequentially opening locks in an irrigation ditch)
- lifts & separates muscles from each other & from bone
where can you use Pinching?
for use on limbs
what are contraindications for Pinching?
Pinching trapezius on people w/ history of pneumothorax or those at risk (i.e. elderly, young, thin males)
how do you perform Digging?
- as finger presses, it rotates slightly, gradually digging deeper (like digging a beach umbrella into sand)
- use thumbs and brace them against a soft fist (helpful if thumbs are hyperextended), or keep remaining fingers extended
- avoid any sudden force
- there should be consistent downward spiraling
where can you use Digging?
- on acupoints
- on or around sacrum
- around joints
how do you perform Dredging?
- press down into tissues, then slowly pull or drag forward to disperse or dredge the channels
- use palm, thumbs, fingertips
what are benefits of Dredging?
- strongly moves qi & blood
- acts at muscle level, but may go to bone level
where can you use Dredging?
can use at thick muscle areas of back, arms, legs
how do you perform Goldfish / Rocking?
- create a wavelike effect on the whole body, like a fish waving its tail
- small or large amplitude may be used
- push rhythmically on one part of body to create the wave
what are benefits of Goldfish / Rocking?
- relaxes tendons & muscles
- realigns tissues
- disinhibits joints
- relaxes the patient
where can you use Goldfish / Rocking?
commonly done at ankles, ribs, spine, sacrum
how do you perform Squeezing?
- squeeze the affected tissue between two palms or between the thumb and forefingers (if using two palms, interlace fingers)
- like squeezing water out of a sponge
what are benefits of Squeezing?
- realigns muscles, bones, tendons
- relaxes spasms
where can you use Squeezing?
used at calf, wrist, shoulder, forearm
how do you perform Foulage / Rub-Roll?
- use two palms simultaneously to rub & roll the held part of the body while moving up & down (like rolling a cylinder between your hands)
- the amplitude is even and somewhat rapid
- the limb should rotate freely & smoothly
what are benefits of Foulage / Rub-Roll?
- creates wave of qi & blood that rotates back & forth around central axis
- relaxes muscles & tendons
- disinhibits joints
where can you use Foulage / Rub-Roll?
done at limbs & ribs
how do you perform Wiping?
- softly rub the skin with surface of thumb pads (try to keep the thenar eminence of both hands in contact with each other, or as close together as possible)
- use light, even, and smooth pressure (like windshield wipers)
what are benefits of Wiping?
- acts at level of skin & muscle
- moves Wei Qi
- calms & relaxes
where can you use Wiping?
can use on head, face, hands, feet, forearms
what is the difference in technique for Grasping & Pinching?
- GRASPING: Use fingers to hold and lift a SPECIFIC tissue.
- PINCHING: Hand used like pincer, FINGERS STRAIGHT.
