1. What is Tui Na?
It is Chinese Medical massage using the basic theory of Chinese Medicine as a guide using acupressure, a broad range of hand techniques and stretches.
2. How do you pronounce it? What does it mean literally?
Tui Na (tooee-nah). Tui Na An Mo, are all descriptive words of techniques within the therapy. Tui means “pushing” or “to push”, Na means “holding”, An means “pressing”, and Mo means “stroking” or “circular kneading”.
3. What is the (brief) history of Tui Na?
Records show as early as 2700 B.C. simple massage was used for pain and some diseases. In the 26th Century B.C., YU FU, a Yellow Emperor’s minister summarised Eight Methods of Massage.
It was recorded in the Shang Dynasty that massage techniques of that time had reached quite a high level. The earliest surviving medical treatment in China HUANGDI NEIJING (Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic compiled 500 – 300 B.C.) recorded the indications of Tui Na including: Bi-pains Syndrome, debilities, facial paralysis, stomach-ache etc. in which treatments of Tui Na were described. As far as known the first book specialising in Tui Na, The HuangDi QiBo Shi Juan (The Ten Volumes of Huangdi Qibo on massage) was also compiled in this period. There is only a record of its existence, the book was lost.
In the WEI and JIN Dynasties, (220 – 420 A.D.), departments of Tui Na were set up as official specialties in the government health care system. In the Sui Dynasty (581 – 618 A.D.) the Title of Doctor of Tui Na was formed.
Tui Na practitioners were graded into Doctors, technicians and manipulators. The Doctors of Tui Na were assisted by the two grades taught the students how to do self-massage and exercises to relieve the illness, treat injuries and reduce fractures.
In 1956 the Academy of Traditional Chinese Massage (including Tuinology) was formed under the direction of the Minister of Public Health.
4. What types of conditions can it treat?
It is sometimes called Acupuncture without needles, and accordingly can assist with the signs and symptoms of disorders, diseases and emotional issues. For example: Frozen Shoulder, Disc Bulges, Cervical Spondylosis, Menstrual and Menopausal Problems, Morning Sickness, Migraine, Constipation, Coughs and Colds to Measles etc!
5. What have you found it particularly useful for in your practice?
Most complaints including: chronic back and neck pain, migraine, menstruation problems and stress related disorders.
6. How is it done (I believe it’s quite vigorous)?
It is done using gentle to heavy force applied in various ways using palms, thumbs, fingers, and elbows. Added to this are various stretches. It can be very vigorous and quite hard on the therapist and patient, depending on the condition being treated.
7. Some practitioners combine it with acupuncture. What is the benefit of this?
Tui Na by itself is quite an extensive therapy. However, there are disorders, which can be addressed better by acupuncture and then by joining both therapies together, the effects are increased, providing a better and sometimes quicker outcome to the patient.
8. Is Tui Na painful?
Tui Na can be painful because we work on pressure and Ashi points (tender points that are not acupoints). Some techniques need to be strong and deep. Pain tends to be relative to the patients’ tolerance and the type of the illness, which affects people differently.
9. How does it differ from regular massage?
It follows the concepts of Chinese Medicine, so it is about clearing blockages within the energy meridians, working muscle groups and looking to realign tissues, nerves, sinews and tendons. The hand techniques used are very different to other therapies however there are some similarities as well. We rarely use oils, the patient is usually clothed, and it is designed to specifically address disorders that other massage therapies may not e.g.: Rubella, Diabetes.
10. So it’s not the sort of massage you’d go and have on a Saturday afternoon to relax you after a hard week at work?
Wrong! It is not a soft massage; however the therapist can do a massage which invigorates and relaxes in the same way that other massage therapies helps prevent dis-ease. Many of my clients use it to stay in good health. We call it “House massage” – Keeping the House in Order.
11. How do you feel after Tui Na? (… and any residual effects?)
That depends on the patient’s condition. Most feel more balanced, lighter and the effect that something is shifting inside. Sometimes you can feel worse the next day as toxins move due to the increased blood and Qi flow. There is a greater nervous system response and many people have emotional releases. These are all beneficial as they open the way for greater balance within the individual.
12. Is there anyone who shouldn’t have Tui Na?
Those with an unknown diagnosis, fractures, malignant tumours, open injuries, scalds, burns, and notifiable infectious diseases. Caution is taken with people who are frail, and women during menstruation and pregnancy.
13. How does Tui Na work?
By promoting the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, and by removing obstructions in the meridian pathways this increases the healing process. This is achieved by separating adhesions, relieving pain or spasms, relaxing muscles and tendons, unblocking channels, invigorating blood circulation, readjusting the flow of Qi, regulating the function of the viscera and the nervous system.
14. With Qi Gong massage there’s a lot of emphasis on the practitioner’s energy and body position. Is there anything special a Tui Na practitioner needs to do or anything unusual about the treatment?
The same theory is at work, so keeping one’s energy strong is vital or eventually the practitioner will suffer. Many practitioners study Qi Gong or forms of martial arts to maintain this. Correct posture and breath are important as is the state of mind and spirit.
15. When could someone see a Tui Na practitioner?
Originally people visited a Tui Na practitioner for most complaints, as they were the doctor, physiotherapist and chiropractor. However today people can come for back pain, migraine, muscular disorders, insomnia etc. Or people visit after seeing a medical practitioner and don’t have the contraindications.
If the Tuinologist feels something is not within their skill range they will request the client seeks medical attention or refer to an appropriate health professional.
16. What type of practitioners practice Tui Na?
Some acupuncturists do but a lot of bodyworkers such as sports or remedial therapists, practitioners who wish to learn and add a therapy that has been around for such a long time to their overall qualifications and treating patients holistically.
17. Any idea how many Tui Na practitioners in Australia?
I honestly have no idea. There are many practitioners who have learned some Tui Na techniques and mix it with their own modality. As to how many do only Tui Na, it’s hard to say. To find a local practitioner, take a look at our Practitioner Directory.
18. Why is Tui Na so fabulous?
Because it follows the concept of holistic therapy within Chinese Medicine it has flexibility in treating patients with the conditions they present not merely by the name of the disorder. It has over 2000 years of experience behind it and not many therapies last that long if they do not work.
It really works I have a very busy practice simply because I utilise this therapy which has excellent results for my patients.