This is a manipulation to do massage with fingers, or palmar base, or whole palm or two hands one on top of the other, being also called stroke manipulation. Its force is stronger than that in gentle massage, and the acting force can get to deep soft tissue. The frequency of stroke depends upon the condition and physique of the patient; the actions should be harmonious and the force should be even.

The swaying stroke with one thumb only is called one-finger stroke. The operator holds the shoulder and elbow down, and keeps the wrist hung, places the belly or side of the thumb on the affected part or acupoint. Through the sway of the wrist and flexion and extension of the thumb joint, he rubs the local tendons and muscles. The other manipulations may also be applied according to the condition. The one-finger stroke has advantages of concentration of force, reliability of finger sensation and depth of action.

The method is often used at the change from gentle massage or combining with finger pointing after starting tendon-smoothing manipulation. It may be applied in various manipulations, being one of the basic manipulations in treatment of trauma. It has the action of relaxing tendons and promoting blood circulation, and removing stasis and engendering the new, thus resolving swelling and relieving pain of the affected part, relieving spasm, separating adhesion of muscle tendons and ligaments, and softening scar tissues. It is suitable for acute trauma, chronic strain and pain in wind-cold blockage syndrome of limbs.