Abstract: Fengyang Tui Na (凤阳推拿), formally known as Fengyang Daoist Tui Na Therapy, is a distinctive external treatment system transmitted through the Fengyang lineage for over 1,700 years, systematized and carried forward by Dr. Wu Mingjie (20th-generation inheritor of the Fengyang lineage; 3rd-generation lineage holder of TCM Master Deng Tietao). Its core technique is the Fengyang Nine-Line Acupoint Massage—a drug-free natural therapy within the Daoist holistic system. This article explains its four core principles, the nine-line technique, indications, lineage features, and professional contraindications.

Keywords: Fengyang Tui Na · nine-line acupoint massage · qi-guided acupoint therapy · 70% nourishment 30% treatment · heaven-human unity · meridian qi stagnation · drug-free natural therapy

I. Understanding Fengyang Tui Na

Item	Details
Formal Name	Fengyang Daoist Tui Na Therapy (凤阳道医推拿术)
Lineage	Transmitted through the Fengyang lineage for over 1,700 years
Systematized by	Dr. Wu Mingjie (20th-generation Fengyang inheritor; 3rd-generation lineage of TCM Master Deng Tietao)
Core Technique	Fengyang Nine-Line Acupoint Massage
Therapeutic Nature	A drug-free natural therapy within Daoist holistic medicine
Theoretical Roots	Daoist "heaven-human unity" (天人合一) + the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) meridian theory
Core Philosophy	70% nourishment, 30% treatment (七分养三分治)
Teaching Assistants	Disciples including Chen Qingzhen
Clinical Practice	In China, and at Wu Healing Center in Massachusetts and Connecticut, USA

Fengyang Tui Na is not merely a relaxing "press and knead" massage. It is a meridian-based, qi-centered, body-mind harmonizing Daoist external therapy. Its uniqueness lies in viewing the body as a network of qi—when it flows, there is no pain; when it stagnates, disease arises.

II. Four Core Principles

1️⃣ Heaven-Human Unity; Meridians as the Framework

Rooted in the Daoist principle of "heaven-human unity" and the meridian theory of the Huangdi Neijing, Fengyang Tui Na uses the body's nine core meridian reaction lines as its treatment framework.

The human body is not an assembly of parts, but a whole that resonates with heaven and earth—and the meridians are the trunk lines of this network.

2️⃣ "All Disease Arises from Meridian Qi Stagnation"

The Fengyang school holds a simple yet powerful view of pathology:

All disease arises from the stagnation of qi and meridian flow.

When qi and blood fail to circulate smoothly, local tissues lose nourishment, the zang-fu organs fall out of balance, and the emotions become constrained. Therefore, Fengyang Tui Na does not limit itself to the local painful point—treating only where it hurts addresses the manifestation; locating the root of qi stagnation addresses the cause.

3️⃣ Distributing Qi Through Tui Na & Acupressure to Support Righteous Qi

Through Tui Na and acupoint work that distributes qi (布气点穴), four levels of action are achieved:

Level of Action	Effect
Unblock the meridians	Open the stagnant reaction points; restore the qi-blood pathways
Harmonize qi and blood	When qi and blood flow smoothly, the zang-fu are nourished
Support righteous qi, dispel pathogens	Raise upright qi and drive out disease evil
Harmonize body and mind	Address both healing and wellness rehabilitation

4️⃣ Upholding "70% Nourishment, 30% Treatment"

This is Dr. Wu Mingjie's central clinical principle—treatment is 30%; nourishment is 70%. Fengyang Tui Na is a key external method within the "30% treatment," while the "70% nourishment" rests on daily routine, dietary avoidance, emotional balance, and Fengyang Taiji movement guidance.

Treatment is an external push; nourishment is the body walking on its own.

III. Core Technique: The Fengyang Nine Lines

The heart of Fengyang Tui Na is using nine key meridian lines of the whole body as the main treatment axes, integrating three techniques:

Technical Element	Description
① Qi-distributing acupressure	Guiding qi with the hands; pressing the meridian reaction points
② Deep-layer kneading	Penetrating the fascial layer to release deep stagnation
③ Fascial release	Releasing fascial tension and restoring tissue elasticity

Technical Character: "Guiding the Hands with Qi" (以气驭手)

Fengyang nine-line therapy is not crude forceful pressing. It emphasizes "guiding the hands with qi"—the technique balances firmness and gentleness as the practitioner uses their own qi to guide the hands, rapidly locating the reaction points where qi is blocked.

Dimension	Effect
Rapid pain relief	Quickly relieves myofascial pain and joint discomfort
Regulates the zang-fu	Adjusts internal organ imbalance through the meridian lines
Combined regulation	Can be combined with herbal formulas, Fengyang Taiji, and wellness exercises to address chronic and complex conditions

💡 Key distinction: Conventional massage tends to work on the "pain point." Fengyang Tui Na seeks answers along the "lines"—tracing the nine meridian lines to locate reaction points, combining point and line, working from the surface inward.

IV. Indications

Category	Specific Applications
Musculoskeletal pain	Cervical spondylosis, lumbar disc herniation, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), knee arthritis, lumbar muscle strain, various myofascial pains
Internal medicine disorders	Headache and dizziness, insomnia, spleen-stomach disharmony, qi stagnation, cold-damp impediment (Bi) patterns
Chronic disease support	Used for supportive rehabilitation in oncology and immune-related conditions; improves bodily pain and fatigue
Daily sub-health care	Unblocking the meridians, raising yang qi

From neck, shoulder, low back and leg pain to insomnia and digestive imbalance, and further to supportive care in oncology and immune conditions—the breadth of Fengyang Tui Na reflects its identity as a holistic therapy.

V. Lineage Features

Dimension	Details
Transmission method	An ancient method passed orally and heart-to-heart from master to disciple
Formal teaching	Dr. Wu Mingjie conducts training classes to teach it outward
Teaching assistants	Disciples including Chen Qingzhen serve as transmission assistants
Integrated system	Paired with Fengyang Taiji and Daoist herbal medicine to form a complete natural therapy system
Clinical practice	Practiced in China and at Wu Healing Center in Massachusetts and Connecticut, USA

Fengyang Tui Na is not an isolated technique. Together with Fengyang Taiji Eight Forms (movement nourishment) and Daoist herbal medicine (internal treatment), these three pillars form the Fengyang school's "internal medicine + external therapy + movement guidance" three-in-one natural therapy system.

⚠️ VI. Important Notes & Contraindications

Fengyang Tui Na is a TCM external therapy. The following populations require evaluation by a qualified physician before treatment:

Condition	Note
Severe/critical illness	Requires comprehensive physician evaluation
Acute bleeding	A contraindication for Tui Na
Bone tuberculosis (skeletal TB)	Requires specialist evaluation
Severe osteoporosis	Technique must be extremely cautious or avoided

⚠️ Important: Fengyang Tui Na cannot replace emergency medication or surgery. For acute or severe conditions, seek care at a qualified medical institution first; Tui Na serves only as a supportive rehabilitation method and must be performed under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Fengyang Tui Na (Nine-Line Acupoint Therapy): A 1,700-Year Daoist External Healing System