The shanghai massage therapist has other tools to draw on. Shou fa can be applied to particular areas, channels, acupoints or ashi points achieving similar results to acupuncture needles. They can also be applied in different directions. Working with or against the flow of the channels, towards or out from the dan tien, clockwise or counter clockwise, all have different effects.
Equally important is the way the techniques are carried out. Chinese sources say that the shou fa must be gentle and soft yet deep and penetrating. The strokes must br applied rhythmically and persistently. The controlled use of very deep, moving pressure is one of the secrets of shanghai escort. A Tuina therapist might spend the same time on one frozen shoulder as a western masseur would spend on an entire body treatment. The repeated application of a single technique many hundreds of times with deep penetration and qi communication is often termed "finger meditation".