Tuina Massage

Due to the fast-paced environment of today’s society, we’re often hustling and occupying ourselves with work. Additionally, sometimes, we may forget to pause and give ourselves a break. Apart from mental tiredness, physical pain is also evident where we may feel lethargic and experience sore muscles or tight tendons.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is often referred to as TCM for short, such feelings of tiredness and soreness may be due to the lack of good “Qi”. In TCM, “Qi” typically refers to the energy or life force that flows within us. When our body is unbalanced or not well taken care of, our “Qi” becomes unbalanced as well as they are unable to properly flow through our systems and regulate the body.

When our “Qi” is unbalanced or disrupted, it will lead to emotional and physical problems. Fortunately, there is a solution to this situation. TCM likes to introduce the use of Tuina massage — a type of therapy and technique to cope with various health conditions and manage pain better in the body.

While you may have heard of massages in general, Tuina is a more specific type. Let’s find out what it is exactly and the goal of Tuina massage.

What is Tuina Massage?

Tuina massage, pronounced, as “Twee-nuh” comprises the Chinese words, Tui, which means “to push” and Na, which means “to lift”. Using this push and lift movement, many therapists would use Tuina to guide the flow of “Qi”. This technique is also accompanied by other manipulation techniques that help people to balance their “Qi” altogether and achieve self-healing remedies within the body and an overall therapeutic experience.

The Principles Behind Tuina

Originating from China, Tuina is one of the oldest forms of massage and they were loosely based on acupressure where therapists would apply pressure to the acupoints of the body.

Tuina is based on the theory that in order for a body to be healthy, there should not be any blockages that would prevent the flow of “Qi”. To solve any imbalance of “Qi”, Tuina massage helps to stimulate the body’s life energy to remove blockages, improve circulation and eradicate soreness and pain to promote harmony and balance within the body.

Moreover, the underlying principle is that good health can be achieved only when harmony and balance are present in the body. Thus, Tuina massage therapy often targets different parts of the body such as the back and hips, arms and legs, ankles, and even on the neck and shoulders. In doing so, the body will be relaxed and healed as a whole.

How does Tuina Massage Work?

Unlike acupuncture where therapists would use needles to apply pressure in certain parts of the body, Tuina massage uses the fingers instead to stimulate pressure points. By rubbing, kneading, rolling, and pressing the body, tension is released and blockages within the tendons, ligaments and even muscles can be removed as well.

Tuina Massage Techniques

Besides applying pressure to acupoints and different parts of the body, therapists would also utilise varying pressure techniques. They can be applied with different force and speed, and even with longer or shorter durations. Depending on the type of blockage within the body, some Tuina massages can be more “Yang” which refers to a stronger, dynamic and energetic session to remove deep blockages, while others can be more “Ying”, referring to a gentle and more calming session to achieve a meditative type of outcome.

On this note, there are eight basic techniques involved in a Tuina massage, they are:

• Pushing (tui)
• Holding (na)
• Palpating (mo)
• Rejoining (jie)
• Opposing (duan)
• Lifting (ti)
• Pressing (an)
• Kneading (mo)

For more specific body issues, specific types of methods can be used as well to heal the body. They are:

• The Rolling Method

This method focuses on the soft tissues in our body. Using gentler techniques, it helps to treat injuries and sprains.

• The One-finger Pushing Method

This method utilises one finger to stimulate the acupoint and is often used to treat any internal diseases.

• The Nei Gong method

This method involves full body manipulation to rejuvenate any depleted body systems. This unique form of technique helps to generate “Nei Gong Qi”, which refers to energy that starts within the body, and energy that later flows outward of the body.

• The Bone Setting Method

Focusing on the musculoskeletal system, this method helps to remove injuries in the joints and any nerve pain by realigning the joint movements and improving disabilities.

However, depending on your health problem or the type of pain you wish to address, the therapist may use one or several methods in a session. To enhance the effects of a Tuina massage, you may also couple it with lotions, ointments and herbal poultices.

Benefits of Tuina Massage

As we have previously shared, Tuina massages work wonders as they can solve different health-related issues and pains within the body. But here’s a more comprehensive benefit of this unique form of massage.

1. Relieves pain and tension while building balance and harmony within the body

From removing back and neck pain to releasing tension and tightness in the body, along with regulating our “Qi”, Tuina massage is a holistic approach to achieving better overall health.

2. Enhances immunity

As Tuina help to improve the flow of “Qi” within our body, it is a good form of massage to increase our immunity and treat functional constipation.

3. Creates balance and calmness within the body

By targeting the acupoints, blockages and tensions from the body are removed. This helps the body to become relaxed and calmer, which in turn energises an individual and reduces any forms of stress, headache and even insomnia and depression. Tuina massage may also be ideal for someone who wishes to reduce their intake of pain medications and seek other forms of therapy instead.

4. Improves quality of life

With bodily pains gone, Tuina massages have proved to have a therapeutic effect. An individual will naturally become happier in both health and wellness due to their healthy flow of “Qi”.

5. Prevent the build-up of toxins

As blockages and tensions are free from the body, the body is now able to naturally remove any toxins, which if accumulated, may cause health problems such as cancer, diabetes and foot issues.

Limitations of Tuina Massages

Although a powerful form of therapy, it is impossible for Tuina to cure all health problems. Due to various reasons, some health conditions may not be suitable to be treated with Tuina as they may result in further injury or infections. These include:

• Fevers
• Bone fractures
• Ligament tears
• Tumours

If you are prone to fractures or inflammation, or if you have an open wound, it is best to seek medical help or consult your doctor first before engaging in Tuina.

Side Effects of Tuina

While Tuina massage is generally safe, some people may experience some discomfort during or after a session, particularly if they are going for the “Yang” type of treatment. It is important to note that some side effects of this massage may include the following:

• Slight bruising
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Short-term pain

Pregnant Women

Due to the application of pressure on acupoints of the body, Tuina massage is not recommended for pregnant women as it may affect the baby or the pregnancy. Instead, you can opt for our prenatal massages or our relaxing neck and shoulder massage.