The basic requirements for successful application are persistence, forcefulness, evenness, and gentleness. Pressure should be applied deep enough to achieve the objective of functional adjustment. As persistence is essential, the maneuvers should be applied persistently for a period of time depending on therapeutic requirement. Manipulation with repeated intermissions and pauses cannot produce the proper effect. Therefore, beginners should constantly practice and do physical exercise to improve their force, skill, and persistence. The maneuvers should be applied with the fight amount of force, otherwise the manipulation cannot produce the proper effect. At the same time, the force applied to the hand or foot should be modified according to the nature of the disease and the function of the acupoints and areas, because a fixed strong stimulation without correspondent modification may cause damage to the local tissue. The maneuvers should be evenly and rhythmically applied, with a stable frequency and coordinated force to producing a comfortable feeling and a sedative effect and securing the patient's cooperation.

The maneuvers usually applied in hand and foot massage including pressing, digit-pressing, pushing, pinching, twisting, rotating, pulling, rubbing, grinding and stepping maneuvers may be selected in accordance with the condition of patient and the nature of the disease.