Many people are surprised to find out that there are many healing techniques in Chinese medicine beyond acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Some of these healing modalities are used as stand-alone treatments, but in my practice, they serve more as accessory techniques that augment my acupuncture treatments to promote faster healing.
One of these accessory treatments I offer is a type of body work called Tui Na. It’s commonly described as Chinese therapeutic massage. The name Tui Na translates into push (Tui) and lift (Na). Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this useful therapy:
First of all, what exactly is Tui Na?
Tui Na is a hands-on treatment similar to massage therapy, but with some major differences. It involves a practitioner using their fingers, different parts of their hands, lower arm, and elbow to press, squeeze, rub and stretch injured, tight or painful body parts. Tui Na is an ancient healing practice, with texts from the first century BCE describing the use of massage techniques as a way to treat various diseases. Tui Na is different from a massage both in the techniques that are used and because it incorporates the acupuncture channels and points into the healing process. In addition, while Tui Na can be relaxing, most people wouldn’t book a session just to de-stress, as it’s more targeted toward healing injuries and health conditions.
What kinds of techniques are involved that make Tui Na different from a regular massage?
Tui Na involves a number of massage and manipulation techniques that can take a long time for a practitioner to learn and do well. This includes:
- Squeezing, for example using both hands to squeeze and release up or down the length of your arm or leg.
- Rolling, which is done by rolling a loose fist or forearm to treat painful areas, injuries, sprains and strains.
- One finger method. This is the use of acupressure to treat a single point, such as a specific acupuncture point or a trigger point.
- Pushing is done either with one or more fingers or the heel of the hand to address acupuncture or trigger points.
- Stroking, with deep or light pressure along acupuncture pathways, muscles, tendons or other areas.
- Tapping, which can be done with one or several fingers or the edge of a hand.
- Bone setting methods. Hundreds and even thousands of years ago these methods were used for realigning joints and even broken bones, much like chiropractic is known today. However, it’s unlikely you’re going to visit your acupuncturist or doctor of Chinese medicine right after your break a bone, in today’s world a broken bone will earn you a trip to the emergency department! Instead, what are called bone setting methods focus on using manipulation and gentle pressure to help patients who may have joint injuries, nerve pain and other musculoskeletal problems and misalignments.
What kinds of conditions can Tui Na treat?
According to the World Tui Na Association, this kind of therapy is useful in treating a wide variety of problems. Tui Na is best known for treating musculoskeletal conditions, such as whiplash injuries, frozen shoulder, herniated or bulging disk pain and other kinds of back and neck pain. A review of the research on Tui Na concluded that it can reduce pain and increase function in people who have musculoskeletal diseases, but the evidence was strongest for its ability to reduce pain.
Beyond musculoskeletal issues, Tui Na can be effective for:
- Respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis and lung congestion
- Digestive issues, including constipation and gallbladder inflammation
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Chronic neck pain
- Foot problems related to diabetes
- Insomnia and poor sleep quality
What’s involved in a Tui Na treatment?
This varies with each individual practitioner. I used to offer thirty and sixty minute Tui Na sessions, but I no longer do so. Instead, I have found it more useful to include Tui Na as an adjunct to an acupuncture session in certain instances, especially when I’m treating sports injuries and pain conditions. In addition, I sometimes do a short Tui Na session when I’m assessing a patient’s injuries. It’s important to know that in addition to Tui Na, I am also able to enhance your acupuncture treatment with shockwave therapy, cold laser, cupping and other modalities. What I include in a treatment depends entirely on what each patient needs. If you’d like to know more about how Tui Na, or any other treatment modality, might work for you, please contact me or request a FREE consult by clicking below.
Click here for a free 15-minute consultation!
Dr. Jeda Boughton is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Registered Acupuncturist in Vancouver. She is also a Registered Herbologist and the founder of BodaHealth.
