Tui na (pronounced “twee nah”) is a form of Chinese massage that has been practiced for more than 2000 years. The word tui means “to push” and na means “to lift and squeeze,” which describes some of the common techniques used in tui na.
Tui na is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses manual techniques to work with different areas of your body. This can cause muscles to relax and help blood flow freely throughout your body.
Sometimes, tui na is sometimes called “acupuncture without needles” because it can be used like acupuncture to target specific acupuncture points and energetic channels (acupuncture meridians). Tui na is considered by some to be the ancestor of physiotherapy, chiropractic, cranio-sacral and other contemporary therapeutic techniques.
What are the benefits of tui na?
Tui na can be used to treat chronic or acute pain caused by joint injuries, arthritis, sprains, muscle strains, and other conditions. In addition to addressing chronic muscle tension or injuries, tui na is also used to treat arthritis, back pain, frozen shoulder, migraines, menstrual cramps, tendonitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), digestive disorders, asthma, and insomnia.
It is a powerful tool for improving physical and mental health and incorporating it into your self-care routine is a great way to ensure that you are treating your body with care and respect.
What can you expect during tui na treatment?
I often incorporate tui na in an acupuncture treatment. Depending on the situation, I may use my hands, arms or elbows to manipulate your muscles and soft tissue, using a range of techniques from pressing and kneading, to grasping and rolling. I may also stretch and move the arms or legs to increase range of motion and relax the body.