Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Tui Fa)

Key Points

Use the entire palm to apply pressure on the treatment area and push forward with force.

Operating Procedures

Place your flat palm on the patient’s treatment areas or acupoints, then push toward the fingertips. This manipulation is known as Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Tui Fa).

Pushing from the proximal end to the distal end, or from the upper part downwards, is Forward Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Shun Tui Fa) (Figure 1-14). When applied to the lower limbs, it is also called Lower Limb Forward Pushing (Xia Zhi Shun Tui Fa).

Figure 1-14 Forward Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Shun Tui Fa)

Pushing from the distal end to the proximal end, or from the lower part upwards, is Reverse Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Ni Tui Fa) (Figure 1-15). When applied to the lower limbs, it is also called Lower Limb Reverse Pushing (Xia Zhi Ni Tui Fa).

Figure 1-15 Reverse Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Ni Tui Fa)

Pushing horizontally to the sides with a flat palm is Transverse Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Heng Tui Fa) (Figure 1-16). It is commonly used on the chest, abdomen, shoulders and back, so it is also referred to as Chest Transverse Pushing, Abdominal Transverse Pushing or Shoulder Transverse Pushing.

Figure 1-16 Transverse Flat-Palm Pushing (Ping Zhang Heng Tui Fa)

Applicable Areas

Commonly used on the chest, abdomen, scapulae, lumbodorsal region and lower limbs.

Force & Sensation, Therapeutic Effects

Similar to Thumb Pushing (Mu Zhi Tui Fa). It has a larger contact area and allows for stronger force application.