wks 3, 4, 5 - hand techniques

Question 1

how do you perform Grasping?

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

what are benefits of Grasping?

Answer 2

lifts & separates muscles from each other & from bone

Question 3

where can you use Grasping?

Answer 3

neck, traps, limbs, thigh

Question 4

what are contraindications for Grasping?

Answer 4

grasping trapezius on people w/ history of pneumothorax or those at risk (i.e. elderly, young, thin males)

Question 5

how do you perform Kneading?

Answer 5

• lift, hold, pull, twist, and release tissue

- lift & roll the tissue like kneading dough

Question 6

what are benefits of Kneading?

Answer 6

• disperses stagnation
• moves qi & blood
• releases spasms
• helps break adhesions
• lifts & separates muscles from each other & from bone

Question 7

where can you use Kneading?

Answer 7

muscles of neck, back, shoulders, limbs

Question 8

what are contraindications for Kneading?

Answer 8

kneading on trapezius of people w/ history of pneumothorax or those at risk (i.e. elderly, young, thin males)

Question 9

how do you perform Pinching?

Answer 9

• use hand like a pincer to lift & then release muscles (avoid using fingertips)
• quickly lift & release muscles

Question 10

what are benefits of Pinching?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

where can you use Pinching?

Answer 11

for use on limbs

Question 12

what are contraindications for Pinching?

Answer 12

Pinching trapezius on people w/ history of pneumothorax or those at risk (i.e. elderly, young, thin males)

Question 13

how do you perform Digging?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

where can you use Digging?

Answer 14

• on acupoints
• on or around sacrum
• around joints

Question 15

how do you perform Dredging?

Answer 15

• press down into tissues, then slowly pull or drag forward to disperse or dredge the channels
• use palm, thumbs, fingertips

Question 16

what are benefits of Dredging?

Answer 16

• strongly moves qi & blood

- acts at muscle level, but may go to bone level

Question 17

where can you use Dredging?

Answer 17

can use at thick muscle areas of back, arms, legs

Question 18

how do you perform Goldfish / Rocking?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

what are benefits of Goldfish / Rocking?

Answer 19

• relaxes tendons & muscles
• realigns tissues
• disinhibits joints
• relaxes the patient

Question 20

where can you use Goldfish / Rocking?

Answer 20

commonly done at ankles, ribs, spine, sacrum

Question 21

how do you perform Squeezing?

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

what are benefits of Squeezing?

Answer 22

• realigns muscles, bones, tendons

- relaxes spasms

Question 23

where can you use Squeezing?

Answer 23

used at calf, wrist, shoulder, forearm

Question 24

how do you perform Foulage / Rub-Roll?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

what are benefits of Foulage / Rub-Roll?

Answer 25

• creates wave of qi & blood that rotates back & forth around central axis
• relaxes muscles & tendons
• disinhibits joints

Question 26

where can you use Foulage / Rub-Roll?

Answer 26

done at limbs & ribs

Question 27

how do you perform Wiping?

Answer 27

• 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)

Question 28

what are benefits of Wiping?

Answer 28

• acts at level of skin & muscle
• moves Wei Qi
• calms & relaxes

Question 29

where can you use Wiping?

Answer 29

can use on head, face, hands, feet, forearms

Question 30

what is the difference in technique for Grasping & Pinching?

Answer 30

• GRASPING: Use fingers to hold and lift a SPECIFIC tissue.

- PINCHING: Hand used like pincer, FINGERS STRAIGHT.