Main qi-points

The diagram below shows the qi-points that can be massaged when Tui Na is applied to the leg and foot. These are found on the following meridians: bladder and kidney (blue), gall bladder (green) and spleen and stomach (yellow).

XIYAN – extra point

Located in the medial knee eye (ST 35 is in the lateral knee eye). Treats knee pain.

Carry out steps 1–10 on one leg first, then repeat the same steps on the other leg.

1 KNEADING THE BUTTOCKS

Start using single heel of hand kneading on the right buttock muscles. Move the heel of the hand to and fro, or in a circle for several minutes, focusing on BL 54 (see here and here ) and GB 30 . You can alternate with crossed double heel of palm kneading (see here ).

Kneading the lumbar region and buttocks relieves chronic lower back pain and improves hip mobility.

2 ELBOW KNEADING BUTTOCKS

Elbow knead over the whole area to relax the muscles. Press and knead GB 30 and BL 54 with the thumbs, and then with the elbow, making small circular movements. Lean in gradually with your body weight to give more pressure (but take care when doing this).

GB 30 and BL 54 are ‘gateway points’ through which qi flows between the spine and the legs. This qi-generating massage sequence is vital for lower back and hip joint flexibility and is a wonderful help for sciatica sufferers.

3 FOREARM KNEADING THE BUTTOCKS

For less penetrating pressure, use the upper third of the forearm instead of the tip of the elbow. Move your forearm with a firm kneading and pushing motion to achieve the best effect.

Relaxes the buttocks and improves hip mobility.

4 ROLLING THE LEG

With your partner lying face down, use Chinese or single rolling on the leg nearer to you. Work on the bladder meridian from the base of the buttock down to the ankle. Repeat at least twice.

5 KNEADING THE LEG

Knead deeply across the leg with the heel of one hand, starting just below the buttocks and working down to the ankle. Repeat the kneading, using both hands.

6 KNEADING AND SQUEEZING THE LEG

With your thumbs on one side of the leg and fingers on the other, use both hands side by side with a kneading, squeezing and lifting action down the leg on the bladder and gall bladder meridians to the ankle. Repeat several times.

7 PRESSING AND KNEADING QI-POINTS ON THE BACK OF THE LEG

Press deeply with the elbow, using a rotary kneading action, into BL 36 and BL 37 , and with the thumb into BL 40, K 10 and BL 57 . Knead BL 60 and K 3 together with middle finger and thumb.

8 PERCUSSION ON THE LEGS

Using alternating pummelling work, from the buttocks down the middle of the back of the legs on the bladder meridian. Repeat several times. You can also use one-handed cupping or hacking with two hands.

These treatments leave the legs feeling wonderfully light. They relax tense muscles and can relieve sciatica and lower back pain.

9 LEG IN FROG POSITION

Lifting the foot, slide the knee out to the side with your other hand. Let the foot rest across the back of the other leg. Strong, whole-hand kneading with a squeeze down the flexed leg on the gall bladder meridian moves the underlying tissues to clear stagnation. Rolling and percussion stimulate movement of qi. Press and knead GB 30, GB 31, GB 34, GB 39 and GB 40 .

Tui Na in this position relieves sciatic pain. GB 34 relieves muscle and tendon problems and GB 39 strengthens the bones.

10 HIP ROTATION, AND LEG LIFT WITH LUMBAR PRESS MANIPULATION

Place one hand over BL 25 (see here ) on the side of the spine nearest you. Applying pressure to the lumbar area, lift the straight leg, supporting it just above the knee against your forearm. Raise the leg until you feel resistance, hold for a minute and then rotate it in small circles.

Aligns the hips, pelvis and lower back. Relieves lower back pain.

11 LUMBAR PRESS WITH FLEXED LEGS MANIPULATION

Place the heel of your hand across the lumbar area on BL 25 (see here ). Press deeply, while carefully and slowly pushing your partner’s feet towards the buttocks with your other hand. Hold this for about a minute and repeat several times.

This manipulation treats lower back and sacroiliac pain.

REPEAT STEPS 1-11 ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BODY, then follow steps 12–17 on one foot before repeating on the other foot.

12 THUMB KNEADING AND PUMMELLING

With your partner lying face down, lift the lower leg nearest to you to expose the sole of the foot. Supporting the top of the foot with one hand, use the thumb of the other hand to knead deeply all over the sole. Then pummel using the edge of your lightly clenched fist. Thumb knead K 1 (see here ).

13 FOOT ROTATION

Grasp around the back of the ankle, pressing into GB 40 and LIV 4 . Holding the foot with your other hand, rotate it several times in both directions.

This stimulates qi-flow through the six meridians of the foot. Pressing GB 40 and LIV 4 strengthens the ankle.

14 HACKING THE ACHILLES TENDON

Support the front of the foot, pressing down on the toes to stretch the Achilles tendon. Slightly spread the fingers of the other hand and hack the tendon with the side of your hand.

15 FOOT KNEADING AND PUMMELLING

Lower the foot and knead the sole deeply, using either the thumb or the elbow. Knead into K 1 (see here ) for at least two minutes. Then pummel the sole of the foot vigorously.

16 CHAFING THE SOLE

Holding the lower leg, chafe vigorously on the sole of the foot, following a diagonal line over K 1 and over the arch of the foot. Chafe for two minutes.

K 1 brings the qi downwards, giving a wonderfully grounded feeling and improved sleep.

17 LATERAL LEG SWING

Grasp both feet under the ankles and lift them a little. Lean backwards, pulling the legs gently, and then swing them together from side to side creating a gentle rock on the hips and spine. Swing for several minutes.

This manipulation loosens the hip joints and relaxes the spinal muscles.

REPEAT STEPS 12-17 ON THE OTHER SIDE.