4 Easy Chinese Self-Massage Techniques to Prevent Early Aging

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Massage has many therapeutic effects on our body. Apart from enhancing circulation and helps to relief muscular aches and pains, it can also be used to enhance our health and general well-being.

Here are a few energy points (or acupoints) that you can massage on yourself every day to prevent pre-mature aging.

1. Yong Quan (KI1)

Yong Quan acupoint is the starting point of the Kidney meridian (energy channel). The Kidney system has a very important role in a person’s longevity. It is said that the better the health of the Kidney, the longer a person can live. Located on the soles of the feet, this point connects the Earth-energy to our physical body.

Location: At the point of frontal 1/3 and hind 2/3 of the soles of the feet, at the juncture below the connecting portion of the 2nd and 3rd toes.

2. San Yin Jiao (SP6)

This acupoint is a cross-point of three energy channels – the Liver, Spleen and Kidney meridians. Massaging this acupoint in effect is equivalent to enhancing the function of all 3 energy channels. It is commonly used for urological disorders, pelvic disorders, insomnia, as well as menstrual cramps in women.

Location: Four fingers’ width up from the highest point of the inner ankle, just behind the tibia bone.

Note: For ladies, do not massage this point if you are pregnant or if you are having your period.

3. Zu San Li (ST36)

Zu San Li is a major acupoint of the Stomach meridian. Massaging it strengthens our digestive system and enhances our overall health and immunity.

Location: On the outer side of the lower limb, four fingers’ width from the base of the knee cap, and one thumb’s width away from the tibia bone

4. Yang Lao (SI6)

The meaning of this point is “providing for ageing”. Located along the Small Intestine meridian, massaging this point helps in assimilation of nutrients, loosens a tight neck (massage and move the neck at the same time) and brightens the eyes. It is a good and convenient point to massage when you have tired or dry eyes. Press and massage this point with a smaller area such as the side of the index finger or thumb (of the opposite hand).

Location: Bend one hand with palm facing the chest. Using the other hand, locate the protruding bone just below the wrist on the side of the little finger. Directly beneath the bone, locate the acupoint which is a dent when you move inward from the outer bone (fibula).

(by Tan Shiau Tse, TCM Physician, Copyright® HST Medical Pte Ltd)