Tui Na Massage
Tui Na ~ A Chinese Massage Therapy Often Combined With Acupuncture
What Is Tui Na Massage?
Tui Na massage is a branch of Chinese medicine that has developed over centuries, and several styles or schools have evolved along the way. Tui Na massage practitioners learn many different techniques and will generally combine the two main styles – yin and yang.
Because Tui Na massage can be very relaxing, it is particularly useful for anxiety and stress, to promote relaxation, and to aid sleep. Like other forms of massage, it can be used preventatively, to encourage the movement of Qi (vital energy). Tui Na is also effective when used in conjunction with other Chinese medicine, such as Acupuncture.
What Should I Expect?
Tui Na massage can be performed with you either lying or sitting. You do not always need to remove any clothing – unless your treatment will include herbal liniments, moxa, gua sha, or cupping techniques.
Chinese medicine is a holistic system that treats the underlying causes of pain and illness, not just the symptoms, so at the start of our first session I will take a full medical history, including examining your tongue and reading your pulse.
Treatment will generally follow the same pattern – starting with relatively gentle, superficial techniques start to open the energy meridians and allow your muscles to relax.
This is followed by stronger, rhythmic techniques and point stimulation, or deep subtle energy work. You may feel deeply relaxed and sleepy during this stage. The treatment ends with brisk sweeping techniques to dissipate any stagnant energy that has been stirred up during the treatment. Passive movements of joints and stretches can be incorporated at this stage.
In addition to the massage, I might incorporate other Chinese therapeutic
techniques including herbs that warm and relax the muscles, cupping techniques, and Gua Sha (vigorous rubbing of the skin), depending on your individual needs.
Cupping and Gua Sha may leave superficial red marks or small bruises, but these are painless and quickly fade.