Body Massage

Tui Na (or Tuina) is a type of Chinese therapeutic massage, used primarily for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. The name Tui Na is literally translated to mean “Push Pull”. This method of body and muscle manipulation works on the belief that, through these techniques, a person’s Qi (chi) energy and blood circulation can be caused to flow more harmoniously through the body and thereby aid the body’s natural self-healing process. However, this type of massage is not limited to those who are injured or ill and is believed to help prevent illness and maintain good health.

Tui Na massage works on the 8 principles found in traditional Chinese medicine and the practice is over 2000 years old. The 8 principles are paired off into 4 opposing sets: Yin-Yang, Cold-Heat, Deficiency-Excess, and External-Internal. With the exception of the latter pair, all these sets can be taken to mean similar things, with one representing too much of something and the other representing too little, such as thirst versus lack of thirst, a fever versus coldness in the extremities, a pale versus a flushed pallor, etc.

This therapy consists primarily of several forms of hand techniques on the skin and soft tissue, including brushing, rolling and the more traditional rubbing massage. Often, acupressure points will be stimulated with these hand motions, as well as with range of motion and even traction.

Sometimes acupuncture may be used in conjunction with the massage aspects of this therapy, as may Tai Chi and other therapeutic methods, though less frequently. For example, in addition to the kneading of the soft tissue and the acupressure stimulation, a practitioner of Tui Na may also occasionally utilize salves, poultices and other herbalist elements. These can be for their healing characteristics or for strictly aromatic reasons.

If no oils or salves are to be applied, then it is generally unnecessary for the person receiving the massage to remove their clothing. Typically, the therapist can manipulate the person’s energy meridians, pain areas, and the acupressure points through their garments. It’s best if the massage takes place no less than 1 hour and no more than 2 hours after a patient’s most recent meal.

If you need more information you may want to read:
The Handbook of Chinese Massage: Tui Na Techniques to Awaken Body and Mind