Chinese Massage Course

Lesson 1 • History and Cultural Context

Traces Chinese massage from ancient texts to modern clinical use. Provides historical grounding that informs why techniques are applied as they are.

Lesson 2 • Zang-Fu Organ System Overview

Introduces the twelve organ systems as functional rather than purely anatomical entities. Students connect organ functions to the channel pathways studied next.

Lesson 3 • Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids

Defines the three vital substances and their roles in health. Understanding their functions is prerequisite to grasping how massage restores physiological harmony.

Lesson 4 • Introduction to Channels and Collaterals

Maps the primary meridian network that carries Qi and Blood through the body. This section bridges theory to the point location work in the following chapter.

Lesson 1 • Point Categories and Clinical Selection

Classifies points by function—source, luo, xi-cleft, command—and teaches selection logic. Students build point prescriptions used in applied treatment chapters.

Lesson 2 • Leg and Foot Channel Pathways

Covers the six channels traversing the lower limb and their primary acupoints. Builds on upper-limb location skills and extends them to the lower body.

Lesson 3 • Trunk and Head Channel Pathways

Maps the Governing and Conception vessels plus back-shu and front-mu points on the trunk. These points are central to the full-body protocols taught later.

Lesson 4 • Anatomical Landmarks and Measurement Units

Teaches the cun proportional measurement system and bony landmarks for point location. Accurate measurement is the prerequisite skill for all point-finding work.

Lesson 1 • Practitioner Posture and Stance

Teaches horse, bow, and drop stances used to generate force without strain. Correct stance is the foundation of injury-free long-term practice.

Lesson 2 • Hygiene and Infection Control Standards

Establishes hand-washing protocols, linen management, and surface disinfection routines. Compliance with hygiene standards protects both client and practitioner.

Lesson 3 • Treatment Table and Room Setup

Covers table height adjustment, bolster placement, and room environment standards. Proper setup ensures client comfort and practitioner mechanical advantage.

Lesson 4 • Client Intake and Contraindication Screening

Teaches intake form design, health history review, and red-flag identification. Screening before every session is a non-negotiable safety protocol.

Lesson 1 • Rolling and Grasping Techniques

Teaches Gun Fa rolling and Na Fa grasping, which require more complex hand coordination. Rolling is the signature Tui Na technique and demands dedicated practice.

Lesson 2 • Vibrating and Shaking Techniques

Introduces Zhen Fa vibration and Dou Fa shaking for neuromuscular release. These fine-motor techniques require relaxed forearm muscles and consistent frequency.

Lesson 3 • Percussion and Patting Techniques

Teaches Ji Fa chopping, Pai Fa patting, and Kou Fa knocking for stimulating deep tissue and Qi flow. Rhythm and wrist relaxation are the key performance variables.

Lesson 4 • Pressing and Kneading Techniques

Introduces An Fa pressing and Rou Fa kneading as the first techniques due to their simplicity and broad application. Students develop controlled depth and circular rhythm.

Lesson 1 • Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Mobilizations

Teaches distraction and glide techniques for the distal upper extremity. Precise hand placement is critical given the small joint surfaces involved.

Lesson 2 • Cervical and Shoulder Mobilizations

Covers traction, rotation, and lateral flexion techniques for the neck and shoulder complex. These are among the most commonly requested areas in clinical practice.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Joint Mobilization

Explains joint play, end-feel assessment, and graded mobilization theory. Understanding these principles prevents injury during all passive movement techniques.

Lesson 4 • Hip, Knee, and Ankle Mobilizations

Applies traction and circumduction to the major lower-limb joints. Students learn to stabilize the pelvis and proximal segment during each technique.

Lesson 1 • Organ-Based Pattern Identification

Links Zang-Fu disharmonies to musculoskeletal and systemic complaints seen in massage practice. Students match organ patterns to channel-specific treatment protocols.

Lesson 2 • Common Qi and Blood Disharmony Patterns

Identifies Qi stagnation, Qi deficiency, Blood stasis, and Blood deficiency presentations. Each pattern maps to specific techniques and acupoints covered in earlier chapters.

Lesson 3 • Eight Principle Pattern Differentiation

Teaches the Yin-Yang, interior-exterior, cold-heat, and deficiency-excess framework. Students classify any presentation into one or more of these eight categories.

Lesson 4 • Four Diagnostic Methods in Massage Context

Adapts looking, listening, asking, and palpation to the massage intake process. These methods generate the pattern diagnosis that guides technique and point selection.

Lesson 1 • Lower Limb Protocol

Delivers a full leg treatment addressing the Stomach, Spleen, Bladder, and Gallbladder channels. Students practice transitions between supine and prone positioning.

Lesson 2 • Shoulder and Upper Back Protocol

Combines rolling, grasping, and mobilization for the trapezius, rhomboids, and rotator cuff. This region is the most common complaint area in clinical massage practice.

Lesson 3 • Head, Face, and Neck Protocol

Applies pressing, kneading, and point stimulation to address headache, stress, and cervical tension. Students practice the full sequence on a partner within a timed session.

Lesson 4 • Abdomen and Chest Protocol

Applies gentle circular rubbing and Conception Vessel point work to digestive and respiratory complaints. Draping and client comfort protocols are emphasized throughout.

Lesson 1 • Pediatric and Geriatric Adaptations

Modifies technique depth, duration, and point selection for children and older adults. Students recognize physiological differences that require protocol adjustment.

Lesson 2 • Cervical Spondylosis and Neck Pain

Applies targeted rolling, traction, and point work to cervical degeneration and muscle tension. Students modify technique intensity based on imaging findings and symptom severity.

Lesson 3 • Digestive and Menstrual Disorder Protocols

Applies abdominal and lower-limb techniques to Spleen deficiency digestion and Liver Qi stagnation menstrual pain. Students adapt pressure and positioning for sensitive presentations.

Lesson 4 • Shoulder Periarthritis and Frozen Shoulder

Treats adhesive capsulitis using progressive mobilization, grasping, and channel point work. Students track range-of-motion improvement across multiple sessions.

Lesson 5 • Headache and Insomnia Protocols

Differentiates tension, Liver Yang rising, and Blood deficiency headache patterns and applies targeted head and neck protocols. Insomnia treatment focuses on Heart and Kidney disharmony.