What is a Meridian Massage?

Meridian massage is a therapeutic massage that is performed to restore balance and promote wellness by stimulating the body’s meridians. During a session, your practitioner will target specific acupressure points to stimulate the meridian lines along your body, which is believed to allow for a smoother flow of blood and qi.

There are 12 major meridian pathways, each associated with specific organs or functions:

Lungs
Lungs are responsible for respiration and how qi enters or leaves the body.

Large Intestine
The large intestine’s task is to extract water from waste before expelling it from the body, ensuring smooth qi flow throughout the digestive system.

Small Intestine
The small intestine, along with regulating the absorption of nutrients and water, also plays a part in regulating bowel functions and the proper flow of qi.

Stomach
The stomach is associated with overall digestion, where food is broken down and essential nutrients are extracted for distribution throughout the body, all facilitated by a strong stomach qi.

Spleen
The spleen affects the regulation of nutrients, blood circulation, and maintaining proper limb and muscle tones. It also supports the production of healthy qi.

Heart
The heart plays an important role in regulating blood circulation to all organs, ensuring the transportation of nutrients and qi throughout the body.

Bladder
The bladder is responsible for toxin elimination and helps in the removal of liquid waste from the body.

Kidney
The kidney governs the reproductive system, bone marrow production, testosterone levels, and is also essential for storing and regulating vital Qi.

Pericardium
The pericardium is responsible for regulating the qi which surrounds the heart and maintaining emotional balance.

Triple Warmer (Also Known as Metabolism)
The triple warmer is a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine that is not a physical organ but a functional system. It is considered to promote overall wellness, regulate metabolism, and influence the circulation of Qi throughout the body.

Gallbladder
The gallbladder regulates the storage and removal of toxins produced by the liver. It also plays a role in fat digestion and maintaining healthy Liver qi.

Liver
The liver is responsible for the circulation of qi throughout the body, maintaining tendon and ligament flexibility, and regulating the female reproductive system, as well as menstruation.

The points applied will depend on your condition and may change as you progress with the sessions.

How Does Meridian Massage Differ from Other Types of Massages?

Meridian massage, as a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice, reflects several of its principles, which can be seen in the concepts of meridians and qi. Throughout your sessions, you may notice the stimulation of specific acupressure points, similar to acupuncture. However, like all massages, it will be done through the use of hands instead of fine needles.

Moreover, unlike traditional massages that mainly target muscle relaxation and stress relief, meridian massage considers the body as an interconnected system. It takes into consideration physical, mental, and emotional aspects. Practitioners of meridian massage also focus on identifying imbalances in qi flow and selecting the proper techniques to be used in each session to address individual needs.

Adding on, meridian massage seeks to understand how imbalances in one part of the body can affect it as a whole. For example, a practitioner may target acupressure points related to the liver to address not only physical symptoms like digestive issues but also emotional imbalances such as anger or frustration, which TCM believes are influenced by the liver.

What are the Techniques Used in Meridian Massage?

Stretching

Stretching may be performed by your practitioner at the start of the session to warm your muscles up. It aids in improving flexibility, encouraging the circulation qi along your body’s meridians. The areas to be stretched can depend on your preferences, as well as parts where your practitioner may feel are tense.

Kneading

This involves lifting the muscle in circular and upward motions. Kneading leads to an increase of heat throughout the targeted area, leading to the loosening of the muscles.

Tapping

Also known as percussion, tapping involves the use of rapid taps to stimulate the muscles and soft tissues. It can stimulate acupressure points and alleviate the congestion of qi in targeted areas.

Pinching

Pinching is the use of fingers to gently squeeze or twist your skin and muscles. This technique helps in either stimulating the Yang or Yin, depending on the acupressure points that are targeted, to achieve a balance in your body.

What are the Benefits of Meridian Massage?

Stress Relief and Relaxation

Meridian massage can put you into a state of relaxation which may help with relieving stress. This can lead to better emotional well-being, and it is not uncommon for individuals to book a therapy session simply to ease the tension in their bodies.

Improves Flow of Energy

You may experience an improved flow of energy as the meridian massage targets acupressure points to restore the flow of qi. As blockages in its circulation are gradually removed, some individuals may notice an increase in overall energy levels.

Encourages Better Sleep

Meridian massage can potentially be a step towards improving sleep quality. As tension is released from the muscles, it allows the body to relax which may lead to a better night’s sleep.

Are you Interested in a Meridian Massage?

If you are interested in booking an appointment for a meridian massage, or learning more about it, feel free to contact us and we will be in touch soon.