《素问·阴阳应象大论》∶ 悍者,按而收之。王太仆注∶ 、疾也,悍、利也,气候
疾利
,按之以收敛也。《玉机真脏论》∶脾风发瘅,曰可按。疝瘕少腹冤热而痛、出白,又曰可
按。《举痛论》∶按之则热气至,热气至,则痛止。《调经论》岐伯曰∶按摩勿释,又曰按
摩勿释。《异法方宜论》∶痿厥寒热,其治宜导引按跷,故导引按跷者,亦从中央出也。王
注∶湿气在下,故多病痿弱气逆及寒热也。导引,谓摇动筋骨,动支节。按,谓抑按皮肉,
跷,谓捷举手足。《生气通天论》∶冬不按跷,春不鼽衄。王注∶按,谓按摩,跷,谓如跷
捷者之举动手足,是所谓导引也。然摇动筋骨,则阳气不藏,春阳上升,重热熏肺。肺通于
鼻,病鼽,谓鼻中水出,病衄,谓鼻中血出了。《离合真邪论》∶按而止之。《血气形志论
》∶形数惊恐,经络不通,病生于不仁,治之以按摩醪药。王注∶惊则脉气并,恐则神不收
,脉并神游,故经络不通而病不仁。按摩者,开通闭塞,导引阴阳。醪药,谓酒药也。养正
祛邪,调中理气也。《内经》载按法者多,其中有不可按者,按则增病。有不可不按者,按
则疗病,故首先辨证。总之,古人用按摩法,无人不治,不拘婴孩也。《尔雅·释诂》∶按
,止也。《广 》∶按,抑也。周于蕃谓按而留之者,以按之不动也。 按字,从手从安,
以手探穴而安于其上也。俗称推拿。拿、持也,按、即拿之说也。前人所谓拿者,兹则以按
易之。以言手法,则以右手大指面直按之,或用大指背屈而按之,或两指对过合按之,其于
胸腹,则又以掌心按之,宜轻宜重,以当时相机行之。
一、按风门。风门即耳门,在耳前起肉当耳缺陷中。将两大指背跪按两耳门,所谓黄蜂
入洞法也。此温法,亦汗法也,最能通气。(周于蕃)
一、按牙关。牙关在两牙腮尽近耳处。用大中二指,对过着力合按之,治牙关闭者即开
。(周于蕃)
一、按肩井。肩井在缺盆上,大骨前寸半。以三指按,当中指下陷中是。用右手大指按
之,治呕吐,发汗。(周于蕃)
一、按奶旁,奶旁即乳房,用右手大指按之。治咳嗽,止呕吐。左右同。(周于蕃)
一、按肚角。肚角在脐之旁,用右手掌心按之,治腹痛,亦止泄泻。(周于蕃)
一、按琵琶。琵琶在肩井下,以大指按之,能益精神。(《广意》)
一、按走马。走马在琵琶下,斗肘之上。以大指合按之,发汗。(《广意》)
一、按交骨。交骨在手掌后,上下高骨间。以中、大指按之,治急慢惊风。(周于蕃)
一、按总经。总经在掌根横纹之后。用右手大指背屈按其上,复以中指按手背,与横纹
对过一窝风,治急惊暴亡等证。(周于蕃)
一、按百虫。百虫在膝上,以大指背屈按之,止抽搐。(周于蕃)
一、按三阴交。三阴交在内踝踝尖上三寸,以右手大指按之,能通血脉,治惊风。(《
广意》)
一、按仆参。仆参即鞋带处,在足跟上,按之,治昏迷不醒者。(《广意》)
一、按二人上马。二人上马在小指、无名指、骨界空处。以大、中指对过按之,治腹痛
。(周于蕃)
The *Suwen: Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun* (Basic Questions: The Great Treatise on the Correspondence of Yin and Yang) states: For vigorous and fierce Qi, one should use pressing to gather and restrain it. Wang Bing (Wang Taipu) annotated: "Piao" means swift; "Han" means sharp and fierce. When the climate (referring to Wei Qi or Defensive Qi) is swift and sharp, pressing is used to converge it. The *Suwen: Yu Ji Zhen Zang Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on the True Viscera of the Jade Machine) mentions: When Pi Feng (Spleen Wind) causes Dan (jaundice), it says massage can be applied; when Shan Jia (hernia and mass) causes heat and pain in the lower abdomen with abnormal leukorrhea, it also says massage can be applied. The *Suwen: Ju Tong Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on Pain) states: Pressing the affected area brings Re Qi (Heat Qi) to the site; once Re Qi arrives, the pain stops. In the *Suwen: Tiao Jing Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on Regulating the Meridians), Qi Bo said: Do not release your hands during massage; he also said do not interrupt the massage. The *Suwen: Yi Fa Fang Yi Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on Different Methods and Regions) states: For Wei Jue (flaccidity and cold extremities) and Han Re (cold and heat disorders), the appropriate treatment is Dao Yin (guiding and pulling exercises) and An Qiao (pressing and leaping). Thus, Dao Yin and An Qiao originated from the Central region. Wang Bing annotated: Dampness resides below, so people often suffer from flaccidity, Qi rebellion, and cold-heat disorders. Dao Yin refers to shaking the sinews and bones and moving the joints; An refers to suppressing and pressing the skin and flesh; Qiao refers to agilely lifting the hands and feet. The *Suwen: Sheng Qi Tong Tian Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on Life Qi Connecting with Heaven) states: If one does not practice Dao Yin and An Qiao in winter, one will not suffer from Qiu (rhinorrhea) and Xu (epistaxis) in spring. Wang Bing annotated: An refers to massage; Qiao refers to lifting hands and feet as if agilely stepping, which is what is called Dao Yin. However, shaking the sinews and bones prevents Yang Qi from storing; in spring, when Yang Qi rises, double heat steams the Lung. Since the Lung connects to the nose, disease named Qiu involves clear fluid flowing from the nose; disease named Xu involves blood flowing from the nose. The *Suwen: Li He Zhen Xie Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on Separating and Combining True Pathogens) states: Press to stop [the pathogen]. The *Suwen: Xue Qi Xing Zhi Lun* (Basic Questions: Treatise on Blood, Qi, Form, and Will) states: Frequent fright and fear cause blockage in the meridians, leading to diseases of numbness and insensitivity (Bu Ren); the treatment is massage combined with Lao Yao (medicated wine). Wang Bing annotated: Fright causes Qi in the pulses to congregate; fear causes Shen (Spirit) to scatter. With congested Qi and wandering Spirit, the meridians become blocked, resulting in numbness. Massage opens blockages and guides the balance of Yin and Yang. Lao Yao refers to medicated wine. Its function is to nourish Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) and expel Xie Qi (Pathogenic Qi), regulating the Middle Jiao and smoothing Qi flow. The *Neijing* records many methods of An (pressing); some conditions are unsuitable for pressing, as pressing would worsen the illness; others require pressing, as it cures the disease. Therefore, one must first differentiate the syndrome. In general, the ancients used massage for all illnesses, not limiting it to infants. The *Erya: Shi Gu* states: An means to stop. The *Guangya* states: An means to suppress. Zhou Yufan stated that "An and retain" means pressing until the point remains stationary. The character "An" consists of "Hand" and "Peace/Secure," meaning using the hand to probe an acupoint and place it securely upon it. It is commonly known as Tui Na (pushing and grasping). "Na" means to hold or grasp; "An" is essentially the concept of "Na." The ancients referred to this as "Na," but here I replace it with "An." Regarding the technique, press directly with the palmar surface of the right thumb, or press with the dorsal surface of the bent right thumb, or press with two fingers opposing each other. For the chest and abdomen, use the palm to press. The pressure should be light or heavy, adapted to the situation at hand.
1. Press Feng Men (Wind Gate). Feng Men is Er Men (Ear Gate), located in the raised flesh anterior to the ear, opposite the ear hole depression. Press both Er Men points with the dorsal surfaces of the thumbs, kneeling slightly. This is called the "Yellow Bee Entering the Cave" method. This is a warming method and also a sweating method, most effective for unblocking Qi. (Zhou Yufan)
2. Press Ya Guan (Jaw Joint). Ya Guan is located near the ears at the ends of the teeth in the cheeks. Use the middle and ring fingers to press firmly against each other. This treats trismus (lockjaw), causing the jaw to open. (Zhou Yufan)
3. Press Jian Jing (Shoulder Well). Jian Jing is located above the clavicular fossa, 1.5 cun anterior to the prominent bone. Press with three fingers; the depression under the middle finger is the point. Press with the right thumb. This treats vomiting and induces sweating. (Zhou Yufan)
4. Press Nai Pang (Breast Side). Nai Pang refers to the breast area. Press with the right thumb. This treats cough and stops vomiting. Apply equally to both sides. (Zhou Yufan)
5. Press Du Jiao (Belly Corner). Du Jiao is located beside the umbilicus. Press with the palm of the right hand. This treats abdominal pain and also stops diarrhea. (Zhou Yufan)
6. Press Pi Pa (Lute). Pi Pa is located below Jian Jing. Press with the thumb. This benefits and nourishes Shen (Spirit). (*Guang Yi*)
7. Press Zou Ma (Running Horse). Zou Ma is located below Pi Pa, above the elbow tip. Press with the thumb opposing another finger. This induces sweating. (*Guang Yi*)
8. Press Jiao Gu (Interlocking Bone). Jiao Gu is located posterior to the palm, between the upper and lower prominent bones. Press with the middle and thumb. This treats acute and chronic infantile convulsions (Ji Man Jing Feng). (Zhou Yufan)
9. Press Zong Jing (General Meridian). Zong Jing is located behind the transverse crease of the wrist root. Press dorsally with the right thumb, while simultaneously pressing the back of the hand with the middle finger, opposite the "Yi Wo Feng" (One Pit Wind) point at the crease. This treats acute infantile convulsions and sudden collapse. (Zhou Yufan)
10. Press Bai Chong (Hundred Insects). Bai Chong is located above the knee. Press with the dorsal surface of the bent thumb. This stops convulsions. (Zhou Yufan)
11. Press San Yin Jiao (Three Yin Intersection). San Yin Jiao is located 3 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus. Press with the right thumb. This unblocks blood vessels and treats convulsions. (*Guang Yi*)
12. Press Pu Can (Servant Participating). Pu Can is located at the shoe-tie position, on the heel. Pressing it treats coma and unconsciousness. (*Guang Yi*)
13. Press Er Ren Shang Ma (Two People Mounting Horses). Er Ren Shang Ma is located in the space between the little finger, ring finger, and the underlying bone. Press with the thumb and middle finger opposing each other. This treats abdominal pain. (Zhou Yufan)