The aroma of mugwort fills the air, deepening the bond between doctors and patients. On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, the Nursing Department of Hainan Chengmei Hospital organized a DIY activity for the Dragon Boat Festival. Over 30 nurses and patients participated in the event, learning to make handmade moxa mallets and experiencing the essence of traditional Chinese medicine culture.
Before making the moxa mallet, Jiang Jiali, head nurse of the general ward of Hainan Chengmei Hospital, led the group to learn finger exercises; specialist nurses explained abdominal breathing to assist with respiratory function exercises.
At the event, the aroma of mugwort filled the air. Participants picked up coarse cloth, mugwort bags, cotton ropes, and other materials, following the teaching steps. First, they spread out the fabric, placed mugwort in the middle, and wrapped it up with the fabric. Then, they pinched it into a tight round shape and took out the rope to tightly tie the remaining fabric into a column shape. Thus, practical and beautiful moxa mallets filled with the fragrance of mugwort were completed.
The completed mugwort meridian mallets emit a faint herbal aroma of mugwort, calming the mind, regulating qi, promoting sleep, and repelling mosquitoes and insects. Holding the health mallets they made themselves, everyone happily waved them around, tapping each other, with laughter and the aroma of mugwort filling the entire event venue.
"Percussing meridians is an ancient and effective health maintenance method. By stimulating the meridians, people can unblock qi and blood, and relieve fatigue." Jiang Jiali said that this event not only allowed patients to experience the traditional Chinese festival, but also enabled them to enjoy the fun of handmade crafts. Moreover, it further raised their awareness of health preservation and enhanced their health consciousness, bringing the nursing staff and patients closer together.
Holding the health mallet she made herself, Ms. Wang, a family member of a patient, happily said, "The health mallet is filled with the fragrance of mugwort, and smelling it makes me feel refreshed. Using it to tap my back and shoulders makes my whole body much more relaxed."
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Tip: Why Does "Tapping" Promote Health
The meridian tapping in traditional Chinese medicine is also known as "meridian tapping therapy" or "meridian tapping fitness method." By rhythmically tapping specific acupuncture points and meridians with hands or specially designed tapping tools, one can achieve the purpose of strengthening the body and preventing and treating diseases.
(I) The main benefits of tapping include:
1. Relaxing muscles and activate meridians: Tapping can stimulate meridians and acupuncture points, promote blood and qi circulation, relieve muscle tension, and alleviate fatigue and stiffness.
2. Harmonizing internal organs: Tapping can harmonize the functions of internal organs, improve digestive functions, enhance the absorption ability of the spleen and stomach, and contribute to nutrient absorption and metabolism.
3. Boosting immunity: Tapping can stimulate the immune system, enhance the ability to resist diseases, and reduce the risk of disease occurrence.
4. Promoting detoxification: Tapping promotes the flow of lymphatic fluid, accelerates the excretion of waste from the body, and plays a role in detoxification and beautifying the skin.
5. Relieving stress: Tapping allows the body and mind to relax, helping to alleviate stress and improve sleep quality.
(II) Selection of acupuncture points for "tapping"
The current key points of health care are to soothe liver qi, clear liver fire, and nourish liver and produce blood. Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine, identifying the correct acupuncture points and performing meridian tapping can be very beneficial to health.
1. Soothing liver qi: the optional acupuncture points can be the bilateral Taichong points and Hegu points; at the same time, patting can be proceeded along the liver meridian lower limb medial circulation.
2. Clearing liver fire: the optional acupuncture points can be the bilateral Xingjian points and Xiaxi points; they can be massaged or tapped. At the same time, tapping can also be done along the outer side of the lower limbs of the gallbladder meridian.
Nourishing liver blood: the optional acupuncture points can be the bilateral Sanyinjiao points, which is located on the liver meridian. When tapping, the movement should be gentle. At the same time, massage can be done along the medial side of the lower limbs of the liver meridian. If there is a tender spot, focus your pressure on it.
It is worth noticing that when performing meridian tapping, it is important to choose the right time, and it is generally recommended to tap in the morning. During the tapping, the force should be appropriate with a sense of local soreness and tightness as the criterion of stop, avoiding dragging or jerking movements. It is recommended to tap for 5-10 minutes each time, 1-2 times a day, and alternate days for tapping.
Text and pictures from Huang Fei and Liu Zhaoyang