Chinese Bodywork Massage Therapy (Tuina Therapy)

Tuina is a 2,000 year-old Chinese healing art based on the traditional Chinese medicine principle of the flow of vital energy called chi via energy channels within the body known as Meridians. Through the administration of manipulation and massage techniques, Tuina aims to bring about a more harmonious movement of chi through the system of collaterals and channels, enabling the body to self-heal naturally.

How is Tuina distinct from other Massages?

The thing that separates Tuina from other forms of massage is its use of hand techniques to massage the tendons and muscles (soft tissue) of the body as well as manipulation procedures to realign the ligamentous and musculoskeletal systems (bone-setting) and acupressure procedures to directly affect the flow of Chi. Salves, ligament and herbal compresses may also be used to amplify the effects of the other therapeutic methods.

Benefits of Tuina Therapy

Tuina is frequently used alongside Jacksonville acupuncture treatment to:

1. Stimulate the organs of the body through special points to improve both physical and mental and to prevent illness.
2. Treat stress-related chronic disorders of the reproductive, respiratory, and digestive systems
3. Relieve musculoskeletal conditions such as sciatica, slipped disc, frozen shoulders and lower back pain

Tuina may not be as effective as other types of bodywork when used as a relaxing, sedating and massage since it tends to be more task- focused.

Tuina may not be appropriate for people with:

• Lesions and open wounds
• Infectious diseases
• Phlebitis
• Fractures

What Occurs During a Tuina Treatment Session?

In a normal session, the client wears no shoes and loose clothing. The therapist will tell him to rest on a floor mat or on a table. The therapist assesses the problems of the client and starts to apply a certain plan of treatment. The main target of the therapy would be on the specified areas of pain, joints, muscles, meridians and acupressure points. Herbal remedies may also be given to accelerate healing. The therapy may last for half an hour to an hour. Additional treatments maybe needed depending on the client’s specific problems. The treatment helps the client feel revitalized and relaxed.

More and more people are discovering the healing power of Tuina and it’s now used as an excellent therapeutic extension of Western conventional massage therapies. The attention to specific problems makes it an ideal extension and/or alternative to Swedish style massage.

History

Tuina began to be used around 1700 B.C. in China during the Shang dynasty. Oracle reveals that this massage technique was utilized to address adults’ digestive problems and diseases of children. Tuina was absorbed in the Imperial Medical College as a separate entity in 600 B.C. It thrived all across China until the Ch’ing dynasty where along with other Chinese cultural arts its use was prohibited. Along with the other traditional medical arts, the use of tuina was restored after the communist revolution and was integrated in the development of the current Traditional Medicine college system.

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