中医美容的秘诀：针灸，指压，推拿

小竹

人体欲得劳动，但不当使极尔。动摇则谷气得削。血脉流通，病不得生。譬犹户枢不朽是也。

这是华佗的养生箴言。华 佗东汉末医学家， 中国的另一位神医，精通内外儿老年针灸各科， 极力倡导强身健体的养生之道，发明了麻醉，开创了中国医疗体育运动之先河，他的气功疗法称作“五禽戏”。他的锻炼使他成为“留着白胡子的年轻人”。华 佗发明了针灸疗法， 传说一病人患脚疾不能行走，华佗将针扎入病人背部的几个穴位加以艾熏，病人即可行走，致今乃有34个穴位被称为华 佗穴。这些穴位用于止痛。西方科学家非常好奇针灸的治病和止痛机理，想用内吗啡因释放的西医原理来解释针灸机理。而中医认为气是身体健康的基本元素， 支持全身每一部分和心理的通畅运转， 气沿12条经络而行，经络包括6 条阳经和6 条阴通过365个穴位连接全身每一部分，机体某一部分气不畅而至疼痛和疾病。用针刺激穴位而通气可去痛治病。针灸，指压，推拿是运用气原理治病的三种方法。这三种方法非外科途径也用于美容，针灸美容通过用针刺激穴位舒筋通脉，养血生津，以达护肤生肌除皱之功效。现代针灸的技术包括耳针，艾熏，电/超声针刺激。耳针可用于减肥，戒烟等。指压，推拿是针灸替代疗法。指压可舒筋放松肌肉， 适用于自己应用。推拿通过经络上的按摩软组织来放松肌肉。

Natural Beauty and Health (4): Acupuncture, Acupressure & Massage

The body needs exercise, but is should not be excessive. Motion consumes energy produced by food and promotes blood circulation so that the body will be free of diseases just as a door hinge is never worm eaten.

Hua Tuo (108-208), a “miracle working doctor” in the 2^nd century of China, advocated that people exercise to stay healthy. He was an expert in acupuncture, medication, internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics and surgery in his day. He was the first in the world to develop the use of anesthesia. In his life, he practiced Qi Gong called “the frolics of the five animals” which still used in China today. His knowledge of nourishing life practice enabled him to look like “a saint who had passed the gate of this life; a man with the complexion of youth and a snowy beard” at age of 100.

Hua Tuo made innovative discoveries in the field of acupuncture. There is a story that a patient could not walk because of the problems with his feet. Hua Tuo inserted needles into a few points on his back with applying moxibustion to points. Soon this patient was able to walk again. A set of 34 acupuncture points was named in his honor: “Hua Tuo Points”. These points are recommended to relive pain syndromes today.

Modern scientists are very curious how the acupuncture works and why it can relive pain. They made many assumptions such as “endorphins release”. In Tradition Chinese Medicine, the flow of vital Qi (energy) is essential to our health. Qi supplies the internal organs, blood and body fluids and mind. Qi moves along Channels known as Meridians. The meridians run in a circuitous route through and around the body. There are 12 major meridians in the body, six yin and six yang. Each corresponds to one internal organ. There are 365 energetic points called “acupoints” located on the major meridians to connect particular internal organs. If Qi becomes blocked or excessive in certain area along a meridian, pain or diseases appear. By stimulating acupoints with needles or pressure, practitioners can unblock, strengthen, or calm the flow of Qi to relive pain and rebalance the body. Three ancient healing techniques are commonly used to manipulate the flow of Qi: acupuncture, acupressure and Tui Na massage.

Chinese have used three ancient techniques for enhancing natural beauty for thousands years. Cosmetic Acupuncture is a non-surgical procedure, the insertions of very fine needles to the designated acupoints, to help rejuvenate and revitalize the face and body by stimulating the acupoints along meridians to improve the flow of Qi, promote blood circulation, improve the skin conditions, and remove the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dull skin. Acupuncture includes ear acupuncture, moxabustion, and electro- and sono- acupuncture as well. Ear acupuncture (auricular) is to use ear tacks (very small needles) or ear seeds to stimulate the points on ears. It is widely used for many conditions such as obesity and addiction of substances.

Acupressure or Tui Na massage is a needle-free alternative. Acupressure (healing touch) is to use the fingers to press the acupoints on the surface of the skin to release muscle tension, improve muscle tone, and relax the muscles. It is the most effective way for self-management of muscle tension related conditions. Tui Na massage is to use the hands to rub and press the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body. Tui Na massage follows the meridian lines and remove knots of stagnation in muscle groups. Reflexology is a type of acupressure as well, which is to use the fingers to press the acupoints on feet.