Help Hong Kong’s elderly – learn the 12-step ‘comfy acupressure’ massage

As the population ages and the burden on Hong Kong’s public health system increases, cost-effective methods to improve the quality of life of the city’s elderly could help alleviate the strain. A 15-minute, 12-step pressure point massage designed by a local traditional Chinese medicine professor that’s simple enough to be administered by an informal caregiver has shown to be a viable aid.

In tests on more than 130 frail elderly people who received the acupressure massage four times a week for 12 weeks, researchers from the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with Yan Chai Hospital’s social services department found the treatment improved both the physical health and psychological well-being of the participants.

Called “comfy acupressure”, the protocol was designed by Dr Li Lei, an assistant professor of Chinese medicine at HKU, who based it on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and his more than 35 years of clinical experience in acupressure and acupuncture. The sequence mainly concentrates on acupoints on the face, head, neck and shoulders. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, requires no equipment and has low risk of side effects.

“Comfy acupressure can improve the blood circulation, brighten the senses and release the stress of the frail elderly, and therefore improve their psychological well-being. They can perform better in daily activities and lead a better social life,” says Li.

“Comfy acupressure is a 12-step acupressure method which is easy to learn and safe to use, and it provides a viable non-pharmacological treatment for elderly with chronic diseases.”