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•	Acupressure
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•	Chinese Massage (Tui Na)
	> What is Tui Na
	> Where Did it Originate
	> Special Equipment Used
	> What Can I Expect
	> How Will I Feel Afterwards
	> What Are the Benefits
	> Choosing a Practitioner
	> Tui Na as a Career
	> Tui Na Associations
	> Tui Na Schools
	> Tui Na Practitioners
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Chinese Massage

What is Chinese Massage (Tui Na/Tui Na)?

Tui Na is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which literally translates from the Chinese “zheng gu tui na,” meaning "to straighten the bone by pushing hand."

Following the same principles as TCM, Tui Na is an ancient form of Chinese massage and musculoskeletal manipulation which involves restoring balance to the vital energy flow of the body (known as "chi”) by using various massage techniques.

Although many of the techniques appear similar to western massage, a key difference is in the principles and philosophy behind the massage. Tui Na practitioners work with energy meridians which are located throughout the body. There are 20 energy meridians (12 main pathways and 8 secondary pathways). Each main pathway is related to an organ or bodily function. By stimulating both the meridians and acupressure points, also known as acupoints, along these meridians, vital energy flow is stimulated and normalized. Unlike Swedish massage and other western massage techniques which are used for recreation or to promote relaxation and stress relief, Tui Na is a considered a therapeutic treatment.

Tui Na is very similar to both Acupressure and shiatsu massage. As with shiatsu, Tui Na uses rhythmic compression along energy meridians of the body, as well as techniques that manipulate and lubricate the joints. As with acupressure, Tui Na directly affects the vital energy flow by stimulating various acupoints along the energy meridians in the body.

Tui Na practitioners use the following methods during treatment:

1) The stimulation of energy meridians and acupoints to normalize the flow of vital energy. As each acupoint is related to an organ of the body, many internal diseases can be addressed through their stimulation (e.g. hormonal disorders, respiratory, and digestive problems, etc.). A Tui Na practitioner senses the client's body with their hands and assesses the distribution of energy throughout the body.

Energy can be sluggish, depleted or excessive. The practitioner focuses the flow of energy through their hands and into the body of the client, stimulating the client's body to utilize this energy to naturally heal itself.

2) Massage techniques which stretch areas of the body, used to treat both acute and chronic pain assoicated with muscles, joints, and the skeletal system. It's especially effective for nerve pain, joint pain (such as arthritis), sciatica, muscle spasms, and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. In Tui Na, manipulation techniques are used to realign the musculoskeletal system (known as bone-setting). It also helps with headaches (including migraines) and the tension associated with stress.

3) External herbal poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic techniques.

Some of the techniques used in the art of Tui Na include:

Tui (ushing/pressing) Na: (ulling/grasping Tao (strong pinching pressure) Nie (kneading) Nien (nipping/pinching) Moa (rubbing) An (rapid, rhythmic pressing) Rou (kneading) Dian (finger pressing) Ca (rubbing) Gun (rolling) Zhen (vibrating)

Cuo (twist/rub) Mo: (wiping) Tina (lift and grasp) Anrou (press and knead) Boyun (forearm kneading) Ji (beating or drumming) Pai (tapping/patting) Dou (shaking) Yao (rotating) Ban (pulling) Bashen (extending)

As with other branches of TCM, Tui Na is used not only to correct problems, but also for preventative maintenance. By ensuring the vital energy remains in a balanced, harmonious state, physical, emotional and mental health is maintained.

Unlike anmo, which is considered a more simple and traditional form of Chinese massage, Tui Na is more specialized and therapeutic in nature, and is based on the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Today, the term "Tui Na" has replaced "Anmo" within China and in the West.

Tui Na as it is practiced in China today can be compared more to the work of chiropractors and physical therapists than to that of massage therapists.  It's taught as a separate but equal field of study in schools of Traditional Chinese Medicine, requiring the same level of training as acupuncturists and herbalists.  A Tui Na practitioner is well versed in the knowledge of both Chinese and Western medicines, and undergoes extensive education to master the theories and skills needed for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

As Tui Na has become popularized in the West, the style of methods have been modified to become more of a therapeutic extension of traditional western massage methods, with the additional emphasis on restoring and balancing energy, and on addressing specific physical condtions.  Most western trained Tui Na practitioners do not practice "bone setting," as do their counterparts in China.

Tui Na is suitable for use on the the elderly, pregnant women, and infants. It is a natural, inexpensive, and non-invasive therapy which has no side effects. It is often used in conjunction with conventional medicine, or often when conventional methods have failed and other alternatives are then considered.

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