A Complete Guide to Chest and Abdominal Massage for Weight Loss: Promoting Intestinal Motility and Eliminating Central Obesity

[Acupoint Locations](1) Dazhui: On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. (2) Xinshu: On the back, below the spinous process of the fifth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (3) Geshu: On the back, below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (4) Ganshu: On the back, below the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (5) Danshu: On the back, below the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (6) Pishu: On the back, below the spinous process of the eleventh thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (7) Weishu: On the back, below the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline.

(8) Shenshu: In the lumbar region, below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (9) Dachangshu: In the lumbar region, below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (10) Sanjiaoshu: In the lumbar region, below the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. (11) Zhiyang: In the lumbar region, on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra. (12) Yaoyangguan: In the lumbar region, on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra. (13) Cilao: In the sacrum, below and medial to the posterior superior iliac spine, corresponding to the second posterior sacral foramen. Procedure: [Relaxation Technique] Rubbing and kneading the shoulders and back: The practitioner places both palms on the patient's shoulders and back, first performing rubbing, then kneading.

First, massage the patient's shoulder from the Dazhui acupoint along the acromion to the lateral angle of the shoulder, then along the superior medial angle of the scapula to the inferior medial angle of the scapula, repeating 30-50 times. Next, push the shoulders and back: Using the heel and sides of both palms, push outwards from the Dazhui acupoint towards the inferior angle of the scapula. The pushing force can be slightly stronger, the movement should be slow, and there should be no pauses. Repeat 10-20 times. Finally, tap the shoulders and back: Using the fingertips together, tap the areas of the patient's shoulders and back where there is more fat. The force should be strong but tolerable, repeating 2-3 times.

Massage the lumbosacral region: The practitioner uses the palm of their hand to massage the patient's lumbosacral region. First, perform palm massage, then palm kneading, focusing on relaxing the muscles, repeating 2-3 times from top to bottom. Separate the lumbosacral region: The practitioner uses the palm of their hand near the radial edge, along the midline of the patient's lumbosacral vertebrae, to separate the lumbosacral region to both sides. The separating force can be slightly stronger, and the movement should be slow, allowing the force to penetrate into the subcutaneous fat layer, repeating 2-3 times from top to bottom. Pinch and twist the lumbosacral region: The practitioner uses their thumb and other fingertips to pinch and twist the patient's subcutaneous fat, performing 3-5 times at each point.

When kneading and pinching the skin and fat, apply pressure only to a tolerable degree. Tapping the lumbosacral region: The practitioner uses a loose fist to repeatedly tap the patient's lumbosacral vertebrae and both sides 2-3 times. Tap in sequence, using firm pressure, but to a tolerable degree. [Treatment Techniques] Spinal Separation: The practitioner uses both palms to push down along both sides of the spine on the patient's back from top to bottom, or to separate the spine outwards for 1-3 minutes. Back Friction: The practitioner places both palms together on one or both sides of the patient's back spine and performs light, quick counter-clockwise rubbing until a warming sensation is felt. Do not apply too much force to avoid abrading the skin.

Kneading the Jiaji acupoints: The practitioner places both palms, one on top of the other, on the Jiaji acupoints on one side of the patient's spine and kneads the back vigorously. Alternatively, the heel of the palm or elbow can be used. The kneading should proceed from top to bottom, repeating 5-8 times. Flicking the sacrospinalis muscles: The practitioner flicks the sacrospinalis muscles on both sides of the patient's back with their thumb or the heel of their palm. The elbow can also be used. Pressing and vibrating the spine: The practitioner presses and vibrates the patient's spine or both sides of the spine with overlapping palms. The sequence should be from top to bottom, following the patient's breathing, pressing downwards as the patient exhales. Tapping the back: The practitioner taps the patient's back up and down 5-10 times with a loose fist or clasped palm.

Acupressure on back acupoints: The practitioner uses their thumb or elbow to press acupoints such as Zhiyang, Dazhui, Xinshu, Ganshu, and Pishu. Pushing and separating the lower back: The practitioner places both palms on either side of the patient's lower back and pushes downwards, or pushes outwards from the spine with both palms. Compression of the kidney area: The practitioner places both palms facing each other on the Shenshu acupoints on either side of the patient's spine, and while compressing, pushes upwards or downwards into the kidney area, aiming for a sensation of soreness, numbness, or distension. Rubbing the lumbosacral region: The practitioner rubs the patient's lower back with overlapping palms, or rubs the lumbosacral region with their elbows. Pressing and rubbing back acupoints: The practitioner uses their thumb or elbow to press and rub acupoints such as Shenshu, Yaoyangguan, Dachangshu, Sanjiaoshu, and Ciliao.

Plucking the sacrospinalis muscle: The practitioner uses overlapping thumbs or elbows to quickly and accurately pluck the sacrospinalis muscles on both sides of the patient's lumbar spine. Tapping the lumbosacral region: The practitioner uses multiple fingers and palms of both hands to firmly grasp the patient's lumbar muscles, then taps or rolls the lumbosacral region with a loose fist. Chest and abdomen: Obesity in the chest and abdomen is often a manifestation of central obesity and also a form of generalized obesity. A large belly is no longer a symbol of wealth, but rather a warning sign of disease. The chest and abdomen contain all the body's vital organs; excessive fat can hinder the normal physiological functions of these organs, leading to disease.

Conditions such as pulmonary heart syndrome, dyspnea, heart failure, constipation, and rectal cancer can be caused by abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity also affects physical appearance, reduces mobility, and impairs coordination. Massage not only passively exercises the chest and abdominal muscles, accelerating the consumption of abdominal fat, but also enhances metabolism and improves the nutritional status of muscles throughout the body. Abdominal massage is suitable for many diseases of the digestive, nervous, and urinary/reproductive systems, and can also be used as a method to eliminate abdominal fat and strengthen the body. Basic techniques: Abdominal massage mainly uses techniques such as rubbing, kneading, pushing, pressing, pinching, grasping, combining, separating, light patting, rotating, and shaking.

This promotes intestinal peristalsis and abdominal muscle contraction, causing some fat to be converted into heat energy and consumed, thereby reducing the accumulation of abdominal fat. [Main Techniques] **Disc Rotation Method:** With both palms together, use the edges of your palms to rotate and press in a clockwise direction around the navel on the abdomen. The pressing motion should not be too fast; use the edges of your palms. Specifically, start with the right palm side → right palm heel → left palm heel → left palm side → left fingertips → right fingertips → back to the right palm side, repeatedly making circles. The movements should be gentle and slow. **Pinching and Kneading Method:** With both hands together, use the pads of your thumb and index and middle fingers to lift the skin and fat of the obese abdomen, performing a pinching and kneading motion.