Tuina,
classified as a massage therapy, has been widely practiced in
China as a special solution to various conditions including
those serious ones ever since applied at the very beginning time
for therapeutic purposes. Today Tuina, viewed as one of
the three ancient healing arts (acupuncture and herbal formulas
are the other two), remains one of the favorite therapies of
Chinese medicine available in hospitals and clinics
throughout the country. People put their health in the good hands
of skilled Tuina practitioners because they trust Tuina as a
recognized form of medical treatment for a wide range of health
problems.
Tuina massage is a different kind of
therapy for conditions usually treated by osteopathy, chiropractic,
physiotherapy, or sports therapy in the West, because it works
at a deep level, reversing conditions that result from disordered
flow of vital life energy in the body, rather than on the muscles
and joints. Tuina works on the energy channels and points,
using the same principles as acupuncture, only
with the hands and fingers instead of needles. Tuina requires
sound mastery of skills to obtain an ideal clinical effect. A
Tuina practitioner applies a great variety of techniques such as
soft or hard, slow or fast, superficial or deep, general or more
precise, etc. to promote the balance and harmony between Qi
(energy) and vital substances to the health of a person’s
body and mind.
TCM theory holds that many health
problems result from blockages in these vital substances, leading
to pain, swelling, and other symptoms. Any method applied to
remove the blockage and re-establish the proper functioning of
the body could considered therapeutic. Tuina, also has been used holistically
to treat the mind through the body and vice versa. By receiving this treatment
people get a deeper sense of physical and mental relaxation,
revitalization and well-being. The general benefit of Tuina is
to bring a person’s
awareness back to his or her own body. This is a feeling of what’s
going on within the body – Chinese medicine calls it “ feeling
of Qi flowing within the body”. Obtaining this feeling
people gain access to the first essential step toward healing
process.
Conditions Inappropriate for Tuina
Tuina could be quite powerful and even painful sometimes
during the deep-tissue manipulations. It should not be used for conditions
involving compound fractures, external wounds, open sores or lesions,
phlebitis, or with infectious conditions such as hepatitis. It
should not be performed on the abdominal portion of a woman in
menstrual or pregnant periods. In general, it should not be used
to treat malignant tumors or tuberculosis. Always keep in mind
one thing: Never go for a Tuina treatment just after eating. Wait
for at least an hour or so.
Procedure & Benefits of Tuina
During a usual Tuina session, loose and soft
clothing is most appropriate for both receiver and giver for comfort.
Lying on a massage table is common position, either face down or
up. After answering some brief questions about the nature and location
of the health problem, as well as basic questions about general
health, allergies and other existing conditions, the practitioner
will concentrate on specific acupressure points, energy trigger
points, muscles and joints surrounding the affected area.
Tuina focuses more on gaining therapeutic benefit rather than only
getting relaxation. It goes directly after the problems, sometimes
requiring significant pressure. When excessive friction from rubbing
or stroking is involved, practitioners may choose to use talcum
powder, sesame oil, ointment of Chinese holly leaf, oil from HongHua,
or a specialized massage emulsion or oil developed for Tuina.
Treatment sessions last from 30
minutes to an hour or so. Receivers often come back to get additional
treatments for chronic conditions. Usually they feel either relaxed,
or surprisingly energized by the treatment and release of pains.
Almost anyone will benefit from receiving Tuina massage, but some
areas found to be particularly effective include:
-
Pains and Stiffness (For example: back pain, headaches, migraine, ‘frozen shoulder’,
arthritis, repetitive strain injury, trapped nerves, sports
injuries, etc.)
-
Stress (tiredness, weakness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, weak
immune system, etc.)
-
Digestion Disorder (constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, etc.)
-
Women’s problems (PMT, painful or irregular periods, etc.)
-
Paralysis (stroke, facial paralysis, numbness, etc.)
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