Tui Na - Chinese  therapeutic massage and acupressure

Tui Na is an ancient system of remedial massage. It includes deep tissue massage, acupressure, and manipulation techniques to realign the muscle, tendon and ligament relationships (bone-setting). 

Tui Na can help relieve pain, balance the body and maintain good health. It is effective for soft tissue injuries, headache, migraine, neck shoulder back pain, arthritis. It also helps other chronic internal conditions as stress, insomnia, constipation.

Acupressure uses same points and meridians as acupuncture does. Instead using needles, it uses gentle but firm pressure on the points, which achieves same effect as acupuncture.

Tuina has a variety of different systems that emphasize particular aspects of these therapeutic principles. Traditionally Tuina in China has the following styles:

• Rolling method which emphasizes soft tissue techniques and specializes in joint injuries and muscle sprains;
• One finger pushing method school which emphasizes techniques for acupressure and the treatment of internal diseases,
• Nei Gung method which emphasizes the use of Nei Gong Qi energy generation exercises and specific massage methods for revitalizing depleted energy systems,
• Bone setting method which emphasizes manipulation methods to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships and specializes in joint injuries and nerve pain.

There in another specific type of Tuina:

Chinese Infantile Tuina

Chinese Infantile Tuina use very special methods and acupuncture points mainly on Children's hands. Symptoms can be treated with Infantile Tuina include: diarrhoea, constipation, vomitiong, enuresis (bed wetting), convulsion, common cold, asthma, fever,whooping cough, etc.

In a typical session, the client, wearing loose clothing and no shoes, lies on a table or floor mat. The practitioner examines the specific problems of the client and begins to apply a specific treatment protocol. The major focus of application is upon specific pain sites, acupressure points, energy meridians, and muscles and joints.

Advanced Tuina practitioners may also use Chinese herbs to facilitate quicker healing. Sessions last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Depending on the specific problems of the client, they may return for additional treatments. The client usually feels relaxed but energized by the treatment.

Tuina is now being popularized in this country as a powerful therapeutic extension of traditional western massage methods. Tuina's simplicity and focus on specific problems, rather than a more generalized treatment, make it both an excellent alternative and/or extension of the Swedish-style massage. By utilizing treatments of shorter duration, it can be used in a variety of settings, including home, office, clinic or hospital. It is well suited for both the professional massage therapist or the active, health conscious individual.

History of Tuina

Tuina dates back to the Shang Dynasty of China, 1700 B.C.E. Oracle bones show that tuina massage was used to treat children's diseases and digestive complaints in adults. By 600 C.E. Tuina was included in the Imperial Medical College as a separate department. Tuina flourished throughout China until the Qing Dynasty where it was suppressed along with other Chinese cultural arts. Following the Communist revolution, Tuina was restored along with other traditional medical arts and was included in the creation of the current system of Traditional Medicine Colleges.

Currently, Tuina is taught as a separate but equal field of study in the major traditional Chinese medical colleges. Tuina doctors receive the same demanding training as acupuncturists and herbalists and enjoy the same level of professional respect.

Benefits, Limitations, Contraindications

Tuina is well suited for the treatment of specific musculoskeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. Effective treatment protocols have been tested in a practical setting.

Tuina is not especially useful for those seeking a mild, sedating and relaxing massage since it tends to be more task focused than other types of bodywork.

Contraindications include conditions involving fractures, phlebitis, infectious conditions, open wounds, and lesions.