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Relying on the properties of herbs and leveraging the power of fire, penetrating through the skin into the blood vessels, dispersing stagnation and extending contracture, the therapeutic effect of *yunyin* (hot compress and stretching) is significant. The term "yin" (stretching) implies the meaning of relaxation and extension, as hot compresses can achieve this. The *Suwen: Xueqi Xingzhi Lun* (Treatise on Blood, Qi, Shape, and Will in the Classic of Difficult Issues) states: "Diseases arising from sinews are treated with hot compress and stretching." The *Suwen: Yuji Zhenzang Lun* (Treatise on the True Viscera of the Jade Machine) states: "Bi syndrome causing numbness, pain, and swelling can be treated with hot compresses, moxibustion, and acupuncture." Generally, diseases arising from sinews result in spasm and contracture; Bi syndrome causing numbness indicates stagnation and sluggishness of meridians and blood. Both conditions are caused by external pathogenic factors. Hot compresses can warm them; since blood flows freely when warmed, it can guide the stagnant blood to flow again.

Pressing (*an*) and rubbing (*mo*) can be used simultaneously or separately, collectively referred to as massage. Pressing without rubbing, or rubbing without pressing, constitutes a distinction. Pressing uses only manual force, while rubbing may involve the application of medicinal plasters or oils. The choice between "an" and "mo" depends on appropriate application. The *Suwen: Xueqi Xingzhi Lun* states: "Frequent fright and panic cause meridian obstruction, leading to numbness, which is treated with massage." This is the general definition of massage. The *Suwen: Yin-Ying-Xiang Da Lun* (Great Treatise on Yin and Yang Correspondences) states: "For fierce and rapid pathogens, use pressing to subdue them." The *Suwen: Tongping Xu-Shi Lun* (Treatise on Excess and Deficiency in General Evaluation) states: "If an abscess is painless, unresponsive to pressure, and comes and goes suddenly, this is pressing without rubbing." Hua Tuo said: "When Shanghan (Cold Damage) begins on the first day in the skin, applying medicated plaster massage and fire moxibustion will cure it." This refers to rubbing without pressing, relying necessarily on medicines. People discussing massage today often fail to analyze and treat these methods distinctly, instead combining them with Dao Yin (guiding and pulling exercises) for explanation. Failing to distinguish and treat them separately is already superficial. Combining them with Dao Yin further shows a lack of deep thought. Broadly speaking, the principle of massage lies in "opening and unblocking" and "suppressing and restraining." Opening and unblocking allows obstructed pathogens to disperse; suppressing and restraining gives fierce pathogens a place to settle. Therefore, although pressing is one method, its effects vary: it may apply to the transmission of disease, stop pain, have no benefit, exacerbate pain, or bring comfort. To summarize: When Wind-Cold invades the body, hair stands erect, skin closes up causing heat, or Bi syndrome causes numbness, pain, and swelling. If the pathogen transmits to the Liver, causing hypochondriac pain and vomiting, pressing is applicable. If the Liver transmits to the Spleen, named Pi Feng (Spleen Wind), manifesting as jaundice, abdominal heat, irritability, and yellow discharge, pressing is applicable. If the Spleen transmits to the Kidney, named Shan Jia (Hernia Mass), causing lower abdominal burning pain and white discharge, also known as Gu (Parasitic Disease), pressing is applicable. This illustrates pressing applied to disease transmission. When Cold Qi lodges outside the meridians, the meridians become cold. Cold causes contraction and curling, making meridians tense, pulling on small collaterals, resulting in sudden pain. If combined with Heat Qi, the meridians become full and painful; in such cases of fullness and pain, pressing is contraindicated. When Cold Qi lodges between the stomach and intestines, below the membrane source, blood cannot disperse, small collaterals tense and pull, causing pain. Here, pressing disperses Qi and Blood, stopping pain. However, if Cold Qi lodges in the deep meridians alongside the spine, pressing cannot reach, so it is ineffective. When Wind and Rain injure the body, entering large meridians from the skin, Qi and Blood combine with pathogens in the fenli (intermuscular spaces). The pulse becomes firm and large; if pressing is attempted, pain increases. When Cold-Dampness enters the body, the skin becomes lax, muscles tight, Ying Blood becomes sluggish, and Wei Qi dissipates, constituting a Deficiency pattern. In deficiency, the surface is flaccid and Qi is insufficient. Only pressing can replenish Qi to warm the body, bringing comfort and stopping pain. As mentioned earlier, pressing stops pain, has no effect, worsens pain, or brings comfort depending on the situation. Given that applicability of pressing varies thus, the application of rubbing can also be deduced by reasoning. For health preservation, whenever there is slight discomfort, massage and kneading should be performed to ensure joint mobility and expel pathogens externally. Thus, massage provides external support, which is certainly beneficial. Another method of rubbing must be combined with medicines, aiming for penetration into the skin and muscle for rapid efficacy. For example, treating Shanghan with White Plaster massage requires a thousand strokes of the hand for the medicinal power to take effect. Therefore, the principles of using medicines in rubbing must not be ignored.