What is Tuina?
Some of you who like to get a relaxing massage from time to time may have seen the name of “tuina” on the list of treatments available at your local spa. If you are wondering what that is, let me help you out. Tuina (literally “push” and “grasp”) is the name for traditional Chinese massage which forms an integral part of training in Oriental medicine. It is a medical modality in which the practitioner uses his hands, fingers, elbows and knees to massage a patient for the treatment of illness and disease. Tuina is similar to acupressure in that it works on special points on qi meridians to eliminate stagnation and blockages in qi flow. It is a valuable therapy in TCM and its medical benefits were officially recognized by the Chinese government in 1949. There is now a tuina department in every hospital in China. Shiatsu, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and many other modern massage therapies are influenced by tuina. Although the techniques and manipulations used can be demanding and rough, there are no side effects and it is suitable not only for adults but also for infants and the elderly. The patient remains seated or lies on a massage table for the massage which is normally applied over loose, thin clothing rather than on bare skin. Tuina can be beneficial in the treatment of many disorders and complaints ranging from musculoskeletal conditions to constipation, insomnia and menstrual problems. It is even used for weight loss and as an alternative to botox!!
Although stress relief and relaxation are obtained through tuina, this is not the sole purpose or even the main focus of the treatment. As with all components of TCM, massage is used for stimulating and circulating qi to normalize any excess or deficiency and to bring the body back into its state of natural balance.
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