Learning the trade

An acupressure massage course in the Eastern tradition: learning meridians, locating acupoints, using pressure safely

Lương Y (traditional healer) Tống Văn Huynh · Tong Gia Acupoint Wellness (Huyệt Đạo Tống Gia) · 20/10/2026

Quick summary: A serious acupressure massage course in the Eastern tradition needs to teach three foundations: meridians, how to locate acupoints on each individual (for example the Nội Quan point on the wrist), and how to apply pressure that is sufficient, steady and directed. Learners must also know the situations where they must not press, and when to advise the person they are caring for to see a doctor. At Tong Gia, the safe self-care acupoints section starts at L1, and about 70% of class time is hands-on practice.

What is acupressure massage in the Eastern tradition?

Acupressure massage uses the hands to work on the body: rubbing, kneading, gliding and squeezing over the muscles, and pressing on specific points called acupoints. According to Eastern traditional medicine, the body has a network of meridians, like roads along which qi and blood flow, and acupoints are points along those roads.

Tong Gia often uses one saying to help beginners remember: "The body is the house, the acupoints are the doors, qi and blood are the wind." A house stays airy when its doors are opened at the right time and in the right place. Someone in the acupressure massage trade learns to find the right "door" and open it with moderate force, without breaking it down.

That is why a serious acupressure massage course does not only teach hand movements. It has to teach three foundations: meridians, acupoints and pressure.

The three foundations of an acupressure massage course

Meridians: know the road before you travel it

Learners need to grasp the map of the main meridians running through the arms, legs, back, head and face. You don't need to memorise it like a textbook from day one, but you must understand why, in the Eastern view, pressing a point on the hand relates to sensations in another area. Only when you understand the pathways will you stop pressing at random.

Acupoints: finding the right spot on each person

Books draw acupoints on a "standard" body, but real people differ in height and build. Eastern traditional medicine measures in "thốn" (cun), using the width of the fingers of the person being pressed as the unit, combined with bony landmarks, skin creases and the grooves between muscles. Learners only get used to it by practising finding acupoints by hand on many different people.

Pressure: sufficient, steady and directed

Acupressure does not mean the harder the better. The right pressure is when the person feels a tight, full sensation and a spreading warmth, yet can still breathe evenly. Learners practise using force from the whole body, holding the fingers in the correct position so they don't hurt their own finger joints, and increasing or easing pressure gradually instead of jabbing.

Example: learning to locate the Nội Quan point

Nội Quan is an acupoint often mentioned in Eastern wellness. It is a good example of how a lesson on locating acupoints works.

1. Find the landmark: turn the palm up and find the wrist crease on the inner side.
2. Measure: according to texts of Eastern traditional medicine, Nội Quan lies about 2 thốn above the wrist crease, roughly the width of that person's own three fingers held together.
3. Find the groove: make a loose fist and flex the wrist slightly to see the two tendons standing out in the middle; the point lies between these two tendons.
4. Test-press: press lightly with the tip of the thumb, ask whether the person feels a tight, full sensation, then adjust the position.
5. Hold and release: hold steady pressure for a few breaths, release slowly, and repeat as the instructor directs.

It sounds simple, but when working on a real person, many beginners drift to one side of the tendon or press too hard and make the other person uncomfortable. That is why locating acupoints needs someone to correct your hands directly.

Safety in acupressure massage: the part you must not skip

Tong Gia is a wellness and relaxation care service using the hands; it is not a medical service. Anyone learning acupressure massage must know when not to work:

• Skin that is scraped, inflamed, swollen, hot and red, has a wound, or has clearly visible varicose veins.
• Someone who has just eaten a big meal, is faint with hunger, is drunk or is extremely tired.
• Pregnant women: texts of Eastern traditional medicine note that certain acupoints must not be worked on; beginners should not do it on their own.
• Someone with a high fever or a recent injury.
• Someone with an underlying condition such as heart disease, blood pressure problems or a blood-clotting disorder who has not yet consulted a doctor.

And most importantly: prolonged pain, numbness or weakness that keeps getting worse, an underlying condition... means you should see a doctor at a medical facility. Acupressure is wellness care and does not replace seeing a doctor. Practitioners have a responsibility to advise clients to see a doctor when they notice these signs.

Choosing an acupressure massage course: what should you ask?

• Does it teach meridians and how to find acupoints by body landmarks, or only a memorised routine of movements?
• How much of the time is practice locating acupoints on real people?
• Does the instructor have many years in the trade, and do they teach the class in person?
• Does it clearly teach the situations where you must not press?

Learning acupressure massage at Tong Gia

Tong Gia was founded by Lương Y Tống Văn Huynh, who has more than 13 years in Eastern wellness practice, Y Tướng Học (face reading for wellness) and spinal nerve-reflex balancing. He personally built the curriculum and teaches the classes.

• L1 Introduction to Y Tướng Học (1.500.000đ): reading facial complexion, Five Elements body types, the 3 facial zones, daily wellness habits, a few safe self-care acupoints, and practice in pairs. See more about the L1 basic acupressure course.
• L2 Core Trade Skills: muscle release, acupressure for the neck, shoulders and nape, back and legs; the standard Tong Gia 90-minute session routine; communicating with clients.
• L3 Specialist and L4 Master and Transfer: for those already solid in the trade and for business owners. Overview at the 4-level training ladder.

About 70% of class time is practice on real people, classes are small, and Lương Y coaches each person individually. Tuition for L2 to L4, the number of sessions and their length are provided by a consultant or the front desk when you register. Tong Gia does not promise jobs or income after the course. As for the type of document issued after the course and its legal standing, please ask the front desk directly before paying tuition.

If you are learning to care for family members, read more on learning acupressure to care for your parents at home; if you want to understand muscle release, see what muscle release technique is.

How to register

1. Come to the free Saturday-morning trial class, 8:30–12:00 every week, 10 places, at căn T16-21 khu Manhattan, Vinhomes Grand Park, Phường Long Bình, TP. Thủ Đức (Thủ Đức City, Ho Chi Minh City). Lương Y assesses your hands-on skill and then suggests the right level.
2. Message Zalo 0888 264 559 to hold a place.
3. The L1 class opens on Saturday 31/10/2026, 14:00–17:00; message "KHAI MẠC" via Zalo to reserve a seat.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to memorise all the acupoints to learn acupressure? You don't need to memorise them all from the start. Beginners should grasp the main meridians and some commonly used acupoints, and practise finding the correct location on real people before learning more.

Where is the Nội Quan point? According to texts of Eastern traditional medicine, Nội Quan is on the inner forearm, about three finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the two tendons. It is best to practise locating it with an instructor so you don't drift off position.

Is acupressure dangerous? Pressing the right spot with the right pressure is a gentle form of wellness care, but there are situations where it must not be done, such as certain acupoints in pregnant women, damaged skin, or people with underlying conditions who have not asked a doctor. For prolonged pain, or numbness and weakness that keeps getting worse, you should see a doctor at a medical facility.

How much is the acupressure massage course at Tong Gia? Level L1 tuition is 1.500.000đ. Tuition for the later levels, the number of sessions and their length are provided by a consultant or the front desk when you register.

How is acupressure massage different from relaxation massage? Relaxation massage mainly softens and loosens the muscles. Acupressure massage in the Eastern tradition adds meridians, acupoints and observing the body to choose which areas to work on.

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Reserve a free Saturday-morning trial class or ask about the learning path: message Zalo 0888 264 559.