Starting position (Fig. 3.1)

Fig. 3.1 Gun fa rolling : showing how to practice on a rice bag.

Step one – rolling out (Fig. 3.2)

Initiating the movement from your elbow, rotate your forearm and extend your wrist, rolling the triangular area between your fifth and third knuckles and the head of your ulna onto the rice bag smoothly and evenly. Keep rolling out until your wrist is fully extended, palm facing upwards, fingers extended but relaxed. Your elbow and upper arm should now be out, away from the side of your body.

Fig. 3.2 Gun fa rolling : showing how to practice on a rice bag.

Step two – rolling back

Keeping the little finger knuckle glued to the spot, bring your elbow and upper arm back to your side allowing your wrist to straighten and the back of your hand to roll off the rice bag back to the starting position.

Initially, practice for 10 minutes each day, 5 minutes with each hand. Let your dominant hand teach your non-dominant hand. Start slowly and get it technically correct. Apply the natural weight of your arm plus a little more. Do not add too much pressure at the start of practice – just enough to make you feel securely in place. Remember that the rolling movement does not start in your hand. It is your elbow and the extensor muscles of your forearm that propel and power the movement. When observed from behind, the elbow should look like a chicken’s wing rhythmically moving back and forth. Think of your hand as a greasy metal ball rolling smoothly with constant even pressure.

Build your practice up to 20 minutes per day, and after 2 or 3 months, your wrist will be more flexible and your muscles stronger. At this stage you can begin to practice on the human body. Ideally, practice on fellow students, colleagues, friends and family and try applying Gun fa to a variety of areas. As you become more competent, gradually use your body weight to add more pressure to the area you are treating. Build up your speed bit by bit to the optimum 120–160 cycles per minute.

Suggestions for practice on a volunteer

I suggest you start by practicing on the lower back, focusing your technique on one area such as around Shenshu BL23 for several minutes and then gradually moving down the Bladder channel, over the buttock and down the leg to the ankle. Once you have arrived at the ankle, swap hands and work your way back up to the lower back. When using Gun fa to move from one place to another like this, the little finger knuckle acts as a guide focusing the technique along the channel and on any specific points that require attention along the way.

With your volunteer sitting in a chair, apply Gun fa around Fenchi GB21 in a focused manner then try moving from here up to Jianjing GB20. You will need to hold their head with your other hand and gently tilt it away from the side you are working on (Fig. 3.3). This is an example of Gun fa plus passive movement. Repeat on the other side.

Fig. 3.3 Gun fa rolling : applying to the neck and nape.

Also in the sitting position apply Gun fa to the shoulder joint. Hold the volunteer’s arm around the elbow with your other hand, keeping their forearm close to your body. This will help to support their arm properly and keep you in a good position for applying passive movement to the joint. (Fig. 3.4)

Fig. 3.4 Gun fa rolling : applying to the shoulder joint.

If you are working on your volunteer’s left shoulder, stand facing their back, hold their arm with your left hand and apply Gun fa all around the posterior aspect of the joint. Standing in a forward lunge and moving from your Dantian, rock forward and back to create some simple passive movement or twist and rotate their arm to expose more of the San Jiao and Small Intestine channels. Then move around to work on the anterior aspect of the joint. Now your left arm applies Gun fa and the right arm the passive movements. From this position, twist and rotate to expose the Lung channel.

Watch out for the following common mistakes that can develop during the initial months of practice:

Clinical application and therapeutic effects

Common uses

Step one – preparation

Mark a spot on your rice bag – this represents a point to be stimulated. Sit with your rice bag on a table in front of you and slightly to the side of your dominant hand. Have both feet flat on the floor, about shoulder width apart.

Place either the tip or pad of the thumb of your dominant hand on the spot. Whether you use the tip or pad depends on your personal anatomy – if your distal thumb joint is very flexible, you will find it easier to use the pad; most people, however, need to use their thumb tip. Keep your thumb perpendicular and curl your fingers into a loose, hollow fist. Do not hold your fingers tightly. Relax your shoulder and imagine your arm is resting on a tennis ball in your armpit. Drop your elbow so that it is lower than your wrist – this is often what makes the technique feel awkward, especially if your forearm extensors are tight and your wrist is not very flexible. Rest your other hand on the rice bag. (Fig. 3.5)

Fig. 3.5 Yi zhi chan tui fa one-finger meditation : practicing on a rice bag, preparation step 1.

Step two – rocking out

Keeping your thumb ‘glued’ to the spot, allow the natural weight of your arm to drop into the rice bag. Using the muscles of your forearm, rock your wrist and relaxed fingers away from your body, extending your thumb. (Fig. 3.6)

Fig. 3.6 Yi zhi chan tui fa one-finger meditation : practicing on a rice bag, step 2.

Step three – rocking in

Flex your forearm muscles and rock your wrist back towards you, bringing your fingers in towards your thumb, which now flexes backwards slightly. If you have a very flexible distal joint then you do not need to flex it backwards; just rock back and forth on the pad of your thumb. (Fig. 3.7)

Fig. 3.7 Yi zhi chan tui fa one-finger meditation : practicing on a rice bag, step 3.

These steps complete one cycle. Repeat this over and over again to get the flow and rhythm of the movement. As you practice, build up your speed.

Applying Yi zhi chan tui fa to points (Fig. 3.8)

The focused, rhythmic oscillation of Yi zhi chan tui fa produces a particular vibratory frequency. This frequency creates its therapeutic effect and ability to stimulate the qi and the actions of the points.

Fig. 3.8 Yi zhi chan tui fa one-finger meditation : applied to a point on the body.

Moving Yi zhi chan tui fa

Yi zhi chan tui fa can also be used along sections of channels or from point to point. It is most commonly used in this way on the face. I use this method on the back down the Bladder channel and along the Huatuojiaji points. The radial edge of the thumb is used rather than the tip.

Clinical application and therapeutic effects

Common uses

You can use Yi zhi chan tui fa as part of your treatment for most disharmonies. It is used to treat both channel problems and Zangfu disharmonies. Some common clinical uses are:

Moving Yi zhi chan tui fa is very useful on the face for sinus problems, and as part of a treatment for facial rejuvenation.

Palm Tui fa

Put the whole of your palm and fingers onto the area to be treated and focus your attention on Laogong PC8. Apply a little pressure using the weight of your arm. Push in a straight line forwards along a channel, then immediately pull backwards along the same line. This completes one cycle. The forward pushing should be reasonably strong and penetrating and the backward movement, which is really just a way of keeping in contact with your patient, should be soft and gentle.

Try practicing using both palms on either side of the spine. Stand at the head of your volunteer and focus your Laogong PC8 points on the Bladder meridian. Allow your Qi to gather at your palms by focusing your mind there. Push down the Bladder channel from the top of the shoulders to the buttocks until the whole area feels warm (see Fig. 3.9). Then stand to one side of your volunteer and push with one palm from the buttocks to the end of the little toe. Repeat on the other side.

To add more pressure, try reinforcing the technique by putting one hand on top of the other and applying pressure with the top hand.

Heel of palm Tui fa

Put the heel of your palm on the area to be treated. Extend your wrist and your fingers; the fingers can be closed or slightly separated. Using the heel of the palm gives you a firmer pressure and is useful in areas with larger muscle groups such as the lower back, hips and thighs. (Fig. 3.10)

Fig. 3.10 Tui fa pushing : heel of the palm down the Stomach channel on the thigh.

Thumb Tui fa

Use either the pad of your thumb or the radial side. Tuck your fingers into the palm or rest them on the body. This method is useful on the face, head and neck and for tonifying points, particularly Back Shu points, in which case you apply the technique gently and with many repetitions: 100–300. (Fig. 3.11)

Fig. 3.11 Tui fa pushing : thumbs on the face.

Finger Tui fa

Use the pads of your index and middle fingers or index, middle and ring fingers to push along sections of meridians. This is commonly used on the neck, chest, forearm and lower leg.

Elbow Tui fa

This is most commonly used on the back, down either side of the spine to stimulate the Huatuojiaji points. Apply a suitable massage medium first then put the tip of your elbow just to one side of the spine. With the palm of your other hand, guide and support the elbow; to do this make an ‘L’ shape between your thumb and index finger and cradle the elbow there. This makes the patient feel more comfortable and supported. Apply pressure with your elbow and push, sliding slowly down the back with your other palm behind. (Fig. 3.12)

Fig. 3.12 Tui fa pushing : elbow on the back.

Knuckle Tui fa

Using one or both hands, make a loose fist and push with the middle sections of your knuckles. I use this frequently on the soles of the feet to stimulate Yongquan KD1. It can be applied to most muscle groups, especially of the back, arms and legs.

Clinical application and therapeutic effects

Common uses

Tui fa can be used during most treatments for all sorts of complaints. Use it to start treatment in the adaptive stage and come back to it if you want to dredge a channel. Common indications for its use are:

Example of working with your palm on the belly

Put your palm on your patient’s belly and focus your Laogong PC8 on your patient’s Zhongwan Ren12. Center and ground yourself and bring your breath, mind and Qi to your palm. Allow the weight of your arm plus a little additional pressure to drop down into your palm. Begin to knead circularly in a clockwise direction keeping your palm fixed and moving the underlying muscles (Fig. 3.13). Do not rub over the skin surface. Keep softness in your hand and wrist. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed to about 100 circles a minute. Knead until you feel the area become very warm. Repeat this over Qihai Ren6.

Fig. 3.13 Rou fa kneading : palm on the belly.

Now put the ulnar side of your forearm across your patient’s navel to stimulate Tianshu ST25, Daheng SP15 and Huangshu KD16. You will need to adopt a low posture with your knees bent. Keep your shoulder relaxed and begin to knead with your forearm in a clockwise direction. (Fig. 3.14)

Fig. 3.14 Rou fa kneading : forearm on the belly.

Example of working on points

Sit or stand depending on which part of the body you are working on and what feels most comfortable.

Example of various forms of Rou fa working down the back and lower limb

With your patient lying down prone, stand to their right-hand side. Apply Rou fa using your whole palm at first and then the heel of your palm. Work down the right-hand side of the Bladder channel kneading the underlying muscles in generous circles. Knead several times in one spot to make the area warm, and then move down a little and repeat, working down the channel gradually from the shoulder to the sacrum. To create stronger stimulation and to move muscles that are very bulky or tight, use your other hand on top for support. Do this three times with the whole palm, then three times using the heel of your palm. Repeat on the left.

Now apply Rou fa to your patient’s sacrum and sacroiliac area using the heel of your palm and the major and minor thenar areas. Swap between these methods using whichever part of your hand fits most comfortably. Try using both hands together either side of the sacrum and around the hips. (Fig. 3.15)

Fig. 3.15 Rou fa kneading : heels of palms around the sacro-illiac area.

Now using the tip of your elbow, work deeply and briskly into major points around the buttocks such as Baohuang BL53, Zhibian BL54 and Chengfu BL36. When you work with your elbow, keep your wrist and hand relaxed. For support and for your patient’s comfort, cradle your elbow in the ‘L’ shape formed between the index finger and abducted thumb of your other hand and let that hand join your elbow in the kneading. (Fig. 3.16)

Fig. 3.16 Rou fa kneading : elbow on the buttocks.

Using the heel and thenar areas of your hand, apply Rou fa from Zhibian BL54 down to Chengjin BL56. Work down the channel three times increasing the speed and strength gradually. Finally, apply Rou fa with your thumb from Chengjin BL56 all the way down the channel to Zhiyin BL67, paying attention to major points along the way. Repeat on the left side.

Clinical application and therapeutic effects

Common uses

In practice Rou fa is probably the most commonly used Tui na technique and I would be surprised to see a treatment that did not include some version of Rou fa. The following are some common indications for Rou fa:

Example of An fa using the thumb (Fig. 3.17)

Choose a point to be stimulated and bring the pad or tip of your dominant thumb to the point. If you are using the tip of your thumb, curl your fingers into a loose fist and support your thumb’s distal joint against your index finger. If you are using the pad of your thumb, keep your fingers relaxed naturally onto your patient’s body.

Fig. 3.17 An fa pressing : tip of the thumb in the shoulder joint.

Relax your shoulders. Check that you are grounded and centered and that your breath is moving freely. Initially, just be aware of the gentle contact you have with your patient as you just hold the point. Be aware of the actions of the point and your intention. You will feel the point warming and opening at this level.

Now, using your Qi and breath, start to push into the point. Use the weight of your hand and arm at first and then gradually apply more pressure using your body weight, not your muscular strength. Always start gently, gradually increasing the pressure to the desired level. The depth of the pressure will depend upon several factors, such as the location of the point, your intention in stimulating it, whether you are tonifying or dispersing, taking a Yin or Yang approach and so on.

Your thumb will become warm or a little numb after about a minute; this is a sign that the Qi is moving and the point is open and activated. The patient will probably feel an aching sensation at or around the point. Generally pressure is maintained for about 3 minutes at a point; of course this is only an average and the time can be decreased or increased according to the patient and treatment required. You can use your non-dominant thumb on top of your working thumb to reinforce the pressure and to relieve any strain on your thumb joints.

Another method of applying An fa is to press intermittently and rhythmically. This is useful to disperse and to work along small sections of the channels. Apply An fa in the same way with your middle finger or knuckles.

Example of An fa using the palm and heel of the palm

With your patient lying down supine, place your palm on their belly. Relax, ground and center yourself. Send your breath into your Laogong PC8 point. Starting at the level of the Dantian, apply pressure gradually as above (Fig. 3.18). Work with your patient’s breath. As they breathe in release your pressure and as they breathe out apply pressure. Work gradually and slowly in clockwise circles encouraging them to deepen their breath as you work. After several circles have been completed begin to work down their Stomach channel with the heel of your palm from Tianshu ST25 to Jiexi ST41. Do this three times on each side. Keep in contact with your patient at all times as you move along the course of the channel – just release your pressure and slide along to the next place.

Fig. 3.18 An fa pressing : palm on the belly.

When you are working on the limbs and back, remember to use your body weight to give you deeper pressure (Fig. 3.19). You can reinforce the pressure by using your other hand on top.

Fig. 3.19 An fa pressing : heel of the palm down the Bladder channel along the back of the leg.

If your patient is very Deficient, you can hold gentle to moderate pressure for up to 5 minutes. If you want to move stagnation, only pause briefly before releasing the pressure.

Clinical application and therapeutic effects

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