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Tui Na is an Oriental
Bodywork Therapy, Tui meaning “push” and
Na meaning “grasp”.
Practised in China
for more than 4000 years Tuina is the
deeply penetrating and vigorous massage
therapy provided within the Traditional
Chinese Medical (TCM) system.
The techniques of Tui
Na and details of its uses in treating a
range of health problems were already
documented in a vast treatise – The
Yellow Emperor's Classics of Internal
Medicine, written about 2500 years ago.
After such a lengthy period of
development, modern Tui Na is the most
tried and tested hands-on therapy in the
world and is the basis upon which
Shiatsu and Swedish massage are
founded.
Tui Na has a
variety of different systems that
emphasize particular aspects of these
therapeutic principles
i.e foot massage (reflexology), head
massage, pediatric Tui Na, acupressure,
physiotherapy and osteopathy.
Tui Na uses the
traditional Chinese medical theory of
the flow of Qi through the meridians as
its basic therapeutic orientation.
Through the application of massage and
manipulation techniques Tui Na seeks to
establish a more harmonious flow of Qi
through the system of channels and
collaterals, allowing the body to
naturally heal itself. The Chinese
believe that health and vitality depend
on Qi balance in the body. Tui Na is one
of the best ways of achieving this and
it uses an array of techniques to do it.
A Casual observer watching a session
sees what appears to be a thorough
workout for the soft tissues and joints,
but the practitioner aims to do more
than this. Attention is focused on
meridians and selected acupuncture
points. They are massaged in different
ways to remove all blockages to the flow
of Qi.
Tui Na
treats chronic
pain , especially that caused by
muscle-skeletal conditions and injuries.
Neck, shoulder and back pain and
immobility, sciatica and ‘tennis elbow'
all respond very well. It is, however,
impossible to treat a specific condition
with Tui Na without improving the
overall Qi status of the body. This
means that headaches, migraines, IBS,
constipation, PMS and a whole range of
emotional problems can also be treated.
In China, Tui
Na is used for things that, in the West,
would be treated by osteopaths,
chiropractors and physiotherapists or
with drugs.
Advanced Tui Na
practitioners may also use Chinese herbs
to facilitate quicker healing. External
herbal poultices, compresses, liniments,
and salves are also used to enhance the
other therapeutic methods.
Are there
contra-indications?
Yes. As with all
forms of therapy, there are certain
conditions that would contra-indicate
Tui Na but very few would
contra-indicate it completely. Very
deep, soft tissue massage and vigorous
joint manipulations would be
inappropriate for some one with
osteoporosis so would direct massage on
skin affected by eczema or infection, to
mention just two examples. Even in these
cases, however, it might be possible to
do very effective Tui Na using distinct
parts of the meridians and selected
distant Qi-points.
Sessions last from 30
minutes to 1 hour. Depending on the
specific problems of the client, they
usually return for additional
treatments. The client usually feels
relaxed but energized by the treatment.
In a typical session,
the client, wearing loose clothing and
no shoes, lies on a table. 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.
Tuina is now being
popularised in this country as a
powerful therapeutic extension of
traditional western massage methods. By
utilising 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.
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