The ancient Chinese healing technique known as Tuina was not always known by its current name although it has certainly been relied on to heal injuries.
What is Tuina?
Using their knuckles, fingertips and palms, practitioners of Tuina rub, press, roll, knead, and brush a person’s injured body in order to clear out the obstructions on the energy channels or meridians of the person’s body as well as to facilitate healing and stimulate vital energy. This energy is called qi or chi by the Chinese. Tuina therapy, as such, can be mistaken easily for a typical conventional massage. But the thing is, in order to properly perform this technique, practitioners need to undergo training in martial arts and Taoist philosophies. This therapy is one of the most important branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM.
What’s The Difference between Conventional Massage and Tuina Massage Therapy?
According to Camden Medical Centre TCM expert, Ge Ming from Yu Yan Sang, “Tuina is an ancient massage that originated in China and is based on the concepts of TCM, conventional massage is not founded on TCM principles. When injured by animal attacks or natural disasters, the Chinese people created the art of pressing and rubbing of the injuries to ease the pain.”
The Relevance of Diagnosis
To alleviate the overarching ailments of a patient, tuina directly focuses on problem areas. This, however doesn’t mean that Tuina is a cure-all treatment to all problems related to the tendons or bones. A thorough problem identification by the practitioner is very important to verify the underlying root of the problem. It is vital to search for a professional clinic so as not to exacerbate existing conditions and to determine a number of crucial factors: the nature of the injury, the events preceding the injury, how long have the symptoms persisted, and the areas affected. Before the practitioner can decide if Tuina massage is the best path to recovery, he should also know if there is swelling in the body and take into account the joint function and the limb function of the patient.
As far as chronic joint injury or strain is concerned, the patient must identify the underlying root of the pain. He also needs to know the innate relationship between the nerves, blood vessels, fascia, bursa, tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint. Armed with this knowledge, he will know the target areas and thus be able to attain maximum results. Unlike several modalities of TCM, Tuina works directly on the problem area. It is quite effective in the treatment of bone- and tendon-related pain and injuries; in fact, when it comes to such issues, no one can avoid selecting Tuina as the best choice of treatment.
When Is Tuina Treatment Not Advisable?
As with other types of medicinal treatments, Tuina has clear limitations, guidelines and conditions. Ge Ming warns, “Tuina is not recommended for certain conditions.” They include compression of the spinal cord, acute injuries of the spine, malignant tumors, infections, fevers, tears in the ligaments, and bone fractures. That said, depending on the kind of ailment, this therapy can be used alongside any other forms of treatment, the practitioner will need to devise a specific plan of treatment. Contrary to common belief, Tuina is not a form of martial arts and is different from Kung fu Tuina. For treatment, Tuina uses a practitioner’s arm, wrist, palm, and finger. The level of strength used is not important to the effectiveness of the treatment; rather, proper control of pressure and strength based on the principles of TCM is key.
Tuina for Children
Acupuncture Bellmore points of children is different from that of a mature adult. An adult’s acupuncture points (acupoints) associate with an area or line in a child. Tuina therapy for children is usually designed to treat dysplasia, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, enuresis, asthma, cough, constipation, and indigestion, among others.
Can Tuina Be Used by Every One?
Yes, this healing modality can be used by practically every person. However, according to Ge Ming cancer patients and pregnant women should avoid Tuina. He does not also believe in the ‘No Pain, No Gain’ paradigm: “There are people who believe that results are better when they experience more pain during the treatment. This is totally false.” He recommends for side effects, “If the extent and cause of the injury is not identified prior to treatment, then side effects may occur. Otherwise, Tuina is totally safe.”