Tui Na (Chinese medical massage)
Tui Na is one of the ancient branches of TCM. Some of its techniques include massage, physical therapy and chiropractic; so you can say that it is sort of a combination of these therapies. The manipulation techniques of Tui Na are based on a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology within the Chinese concept of a person. In this way it departs from Western massage and physical therapy and chiropractic. Because the Chinese concept of the human body is holistic i.e., that the entire human organism is connected by way of the jing luo (meridians and collaterals) with their respective points located at the level just under the skin, tui na can actually address internal organ conditions as well as local pathologies.
This therapy, also called Anmo which means treatment with the hands in Chinese, is widely used in Asian countries. Lesser known in the US, it is beginning to spread and we foresee a major development in its use in the next few years.
Manual Tui Na methods include pressing, circular kneading, twisting, flicking, pushing, grasping, shaking, rotating, and tapping to name a few. The practitioner uses these methods with the fingers, palms, fists or elbows. Tui Na may use the same pressure points as acupuncture. Often times upon completion of a tui na treatment, herbal oils and or liniments are applied to the affected area. How does Tui Na cure disease? It is generally considered that Tui Na therapy has the ability to regulate nerve function, to strengthen the body's resistance to disease, to flush out the tissues and improve circulation of blood, and to make the joints more flexible. It is also used for soft tissue injury.
|
