Tui Na

Tui Na (pronounced twee-nah) literally means ‘pinch and pull’. Tui Na is sometimes called Acupressure. It is a form of therapeutic massage which originated in ancient China and is believed to be the one of the oldest forms of bodywork. It constitutes one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, qi gong, and Chinese herbal medicine. It is based upon the TCM theory of the existence of an energetic anatomy system made up of meridians, or energetic pathways, and their corresponding acupoints. This theory further works on the basis that imbalances of qi, which is the body’s vital life force or energy, can cause blockages that lead to symptoms such as pain and illness. Tui Na massage stimulates the flow of qi to promote balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture. In a Tui Na treatment practitioners use fingers instead of needles to apply pressure to stimulate acupoints points. Tui Na massage is often used in combination with acupuncture. During a session, practitioners use oscillating and pressure techniques that differ in force and speed. Tui Na massage can be done as a stronger deep-tissue massage or a more gentle, energetic treatment.