The guiding techniques are a form of therapeutic massage that utilizes traditional practices such as Shaolin internal skills, Yi Jin Jing (Muscle-Tendon Change Classic), Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics), Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), Tai Chi, and Liu Zi Jue (Six Healing Sounds) to guide patients in active training. This technique primarily focuses on instructing patients in these practices while also allowing for manual therapy during the training. The guiding techniques help to support the body’s vital energy (zheng qi) and strengthen the body, and can be used in conjunction with other massage techniques. They are applicable to various conditions treated in massage therapy and are an important component of self-care.
1. Basic Operational Methods
(1) Yi Jin Jing
Yi Jin Jing is one of the fundamental practices in guiding techniques, traditionally attributed to Bodhidharma. It is a method that seeks movement through stillness, transforming muscles and tendons, and strengthening the body. There are various versions in the community, but the Yi Jin Jing practiced in guiding techniques includes twelve postures: Wei Tuo Presents the Pestle First Posture, Wei Tuo Presents the Pestle Second Posture (Horizontal Pestle to Subdue Demons), Wei Tuo Presents the Pestle Third Posture (Palm Supporting the Heavenly Gate), Star Plucking and Dipper Changing Posture, Pulling the Tail of the Nine Cows Posture, Clawing and Spreading Wings Posture, Nine Ghosts Pulling the Horse Knife Posture, Three Plates Falling to the Ground Posture, Green Dragon Exploring the Claw Posture, Tiger Lying in Wait Posture, Bowing Posture, and Tail Dropping Posture. During practice, one can select one or several postures based on specific conditions, ensuring a natural and gradual approach.
Example of Yi Jin Jing: Green Dragon Exploring the Claw Posture
1. Basic Movements
Stand with feet together or in another specified stance. Step left with the left leg, keeping the width of the feet approximately shoulder-width apart, with both hands in a protective fist position at the waist. Keep the body straight, head level, and gaze forward. Extend the left arm with an upward palm towards the right front, raising the palm above the head while slightly turning the body to the right, facing the right front. Relax the shoulders and keep the elbows straight, without bending the wrist, while the right fist remains in the protective position at the waist. Focus on the palm, ensuring the feet remain grounded. Bend the left thumb towards the palm, with both eyes focused on the thumb. Internally rotate the left arm, palm facing down, bending forward to explore the waist, and push the palm down to the ground. Keep the knees straight, heels on the ground, and lift the head to gaze forward. Raise the left palm from the ground, circling it up to the waist, returning to the protective fist position. Alternate sides, maintaining the same requirements.
2. Key Points of Movement
Both hands should tightly protect the waist, with the left hand reaching out from the right side and the right hand from the left side, transforming fists into palms as they extend. Relax the shoulders and keep the elbows straight, looking at the upward palm as the body turns approximately 45 degrees. When bending forward, aim to touch the ground while keeping the knees straight and heels grounded.
3. Applications
This movement can enhance the strength of the arms and fingers. It is also an effective method for exercising and treating lung and liver-gallbladder system disorders, as well as gynecological conditions related to the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel).
(2) Shaolin Internal Skills
Shaolin internal skills are another fundamental practice in guiding techniques and are also a basic skill in martial arts, emphasizing significant physical exertion and training of the waist, legs, and upper body strength. The basic stances include standing stances, horse stances, bow stances, large stances, feet together stances, suspended stances, low stances, and sitting stances. Basic posture exercises include: Pushing Eight Horses Forward, Pulling Nine Cows Back, Phoenix Spreading Wings, Overlord Lifting the Cauldron, Pushing the Boat with the Current, Embracing the Moon, Immortal Pointing the Way, Flat Hands Supporting the Tower, Using Palms to Combine Tiles, Wind Shaking the Lotus Leaf, Both Hands Supporting the Sky, Dan Feng Facing the Sun, Fishing at the Bottom of the Sea, Supporting the Sky and Embracing the Earth, Splitting Mount Hua with Force, Black Dragon Drilling Through the Hole, Three Ups and Three Downs, Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Food, etc. Partner exercises include pushing the bridge and two tigers seizing food. During practice, one can select one or several postures based on specific conditions, ensuring a natural and gradual approach.
Example of Shaolin Internal Skills: Three Ups and Three Downs Posture
1. Basic Movements
Natural breathing, standing with feet together or in another specified stance. Bend the elbows, keeping the palms straight at the sides. Bend the knees and squat down while pushing the hands forward, palms facing each other, fingers together, and thumbs extended. Maintain the original stance, keeping the head steady without nodding, and gaze forward. As the palms exert force, slowly rise while ensuring that the palms return to the sides when standing straight, repeating this three times with even force. Transform the straight palms into downward palms, extending the arms back to the original stance.
2. Key Points of Movement
The upper body should push forward while the lower body squats down, moving naturally and evenly; keep the upper body straight and gaze forward, breathing naturally.
3. Applications
This movement is based on Pushing Eight Horses Forward, combining forward pushing and returning with squatting and standing, repeated three times. When squatting, focus on the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, tensor fasciae latae, sartorius (hip flexors), and semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, sartorius, gracilis, and gastrocnemius (knee flexors) to lower the body and increase lower limb strength. At the same time, the shoulders and arms should gradually push forward, allowing for simultaneous practice of upper and lower limbs to strengthen the muscles and bones.
(3) Liu Zi Jue
Liu Zi Jue is a type of breathing exercise that uses six different sounds during exhalation to harmonize and regulate the organs and meridians. The six sounds are Xu (嘘), He (呵), Hu (呼), Xi (呬), Chui (吹), and Xi (嘻), corresponding to the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and San Jiao (Triple Burner) respectively. Through breathing combined with sound, this exercise is performed.
Example of Liu Zi Jue: Xu Sound Method
1. Basic Movements
Step left with the left leg, keeping the width of the feet approximately shoulder-width apart. Stand straight, head level, arms naturally hanging down, knees slightly bent, and gaze forward; lips slightly closed, tongue against the upper palate, breathing naturally. Overlap both hands in front of the lower abdomen, palms facing inward. Release the hands, palms facing up, and draw them back to the waist. Turn the upper body to the left while extending the right palm from the waist to the left side, at shoulder height, while producing the sound “Xu,” slowly opening the eyes and gazing in the direction of the extended right palm. Slowly return the right palm to the waist while turning the body back to the original position. Then, turn the upper body to the right, extend the left palm, and produce the sound “Xu,” repeating the previous movements in the opposite direction. Alternate sides for a total of six times.
2. Key Points of Movement
When exhaling and producing sounds, keep a slight gap between the teeth, allowing air to flow out through the gaps between the molars and the sides of the tongue. Focus on concentration, using abdominal breathing, and engage the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles during exhalation. Beginners should not force the practice.
3. Applications
The Xu sound method can treat eye diseases, excessive liver fire, liver deficiency, loss of appetite, indigestion, dizziness, and other conditions.
There are numerous books related to guiding techniques, but due to space limitations, this article only introduces two movements from two practices. In clinical application, these practices can be used individually or in combination, and other practices belonging to guiding techniques can be selected, as well as medical gymnastics created based on modern sports medicine principles, such as relaxation exercises, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, Nei Jin Yi Zhi Chan, and Xi Sui Jing, depending on specific conditions.
2. Common Diseases Treated with Guiding Techniques
(1) Wei Disease (Sarcopenia)
This condition is characterized by weakness and lack of strength in the limbs due to the invasion of pathogenic heat damaging body fluids, or insufficient qi and yin leading to malnourishment of the meridians. Symptoms include weakness, flaccidity, and even muscle atrophy or paralysis. Accompanying symptoms may include numbness, pain, or spasms in the limbs. Severe cases may present with urinary difficulties, respiratory distress, and swallowing difficulties. A history of prolonged exposure to damp environments or rain may be present, as well as a history of medication or family history. Relevant physical examinations should be conducted in conjunction with Western medicine, such as CT or MRI if conditions allow. Differential diagnosis should be made with bi syndrome, wind rash, and tremors. Diagnosis should follow the standards set by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1994.
[Treatment Principles] Regulate the spleen and stomach, tonify qi and blood, nourish muscles, and benefit the joints.
[Operational Steps]
1. First Week: Wei Tuo Presents the Pestle First, Second, and Third Postures.
2. Second Week: Green Dragon Exploring the Claw Posture and Tail Dropping Posture.
3. Third Week: Star Plucking and Dipper Changing Posture and Bowing Posture.
4. Fourth Week: Three Plates Falling to the Ground Posture and Tiger Lying in Wait Posture.
5. Fifth Week: Nine Ghosts Pulling the Horse Knife Posture and Clawing and Spreading Wings Posture.
6. Sixth Week: Pulling the Tail of the Nine Cows Posture.
7. From the Seventh Week: Practice all the content of the techniques.
(2) Chuan Disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
This condition arises from chronic lung diseases or other organ pathologies affecting lung qi, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and even the need to lift the shoulders or open the mouth to breathe. Characterized by shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and cyanosis of the lips, it often has a history of chronic cough, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, and palpitations, with exacerbations triggered by external pathogens or exertion. Physical examination may reveal a barrel chest, hyperresonance on percussion, and diminished heart sounds. Lung sounds may be decreased, with possible wheezing or crackles. In cases of infection, white blood cell counts may be elevated. Necessary tests may include blood potassium, sodium, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, and blood gas analysis. Diagnosis should follow the standards set by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1994.
[Treatment Principles] Regulate breathing and strengthen the lungs.
[Operational Steps]
Patients should practice the Xu, He, Hu, Xi, Chui, and Xi sounds, twice daily for 30 minutes each time.
(3) Low Back Pain (Lumbar Disc Herniation)
This condition often follows a history of lumbar injury, chronic strain, or exposure to cold and dampness. Most patients have a history of chronic low back pain prior to onset. It commonly occurs in young and middle-aged individuals. Pain may radiate to the buttocks and lower limbs, worsening with increased abdominal pressure (e.g., during coughing or sneezing).
Physical examination may reveal spinal curvature, loss of normal lumbar lordosis, tenderness in the paravertebral area, and radiation of pain to the lower limbs. Sensory abnormalities may occur in the nerve distribution areas of the lower limbs, and long-term cases may show muscle atrophy. Positive straight leg raise or Bragard’s test, with diminished or absent knee and Achilles reflexes, and reduced strength in the great toe dorsiflexion may be observed. X-ray may show spinal curvature, loss of normal lumbar lordosis, and possible narrowing of the intervertebral disc with osteophyte formation at the adjacent margins. CT can reveal the location and extent of disc herniation. Diagnosis should follow the standards set by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1994.
[Treatment Principles] Invigorate blood circulation and resolve stasis, relax the tendons and open the meridians.
[Operational Steps]
1. Training of the lumbar and back muscles: Commonly used methods include the Flying Swallow posture, five-point support method, and three-point support method, combined with prone head-lifting exercises.
2. Abdominal muscle training: Use supine leg raises and other exercises.
3. Coordinated training of lumbar and abdominal muscles: Combine the above lumbar and abdominal muscle training methods with selected movements from Yi Jin Jing, such as Green Dragon Exploring the Claw Posture, Tiger Lying in Wait Posture, and Bowing Posture, focusing on relaxation and stretching of the muscles.
4. The exercise cycle lasts four weeks, three times a week; each movement should be held for 10-60 seconds after achieving the correct posture, completing 20-30 repetitions. Total exercise time should be controlled to 30 minutes.
3. Contraindications
1. Individuals with excessive physical weakness.
2. Patients with psychosomatic disorders.
4. Precautions
1. Guiding techniques should be performed under the guidance of a physician, especially during the early stages when movements are not yet mastered.
2. Adjust the amount of exercise based on the patient’s physical condition, progressing gradually.
3. Breathing should be natural. Focus on regulating breathing and body movements, without forcing mental concentration.