About Tuina

Background
Chinese Medicine is a 3000 year-old system of healthcare that includes the modalities of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Bodywork. It also includes methods for living in harmony with natural rhythms, dietary therapy, and healing exercises like Qi Gong and Tai Chi. 

Outside of China, tuina 推拿 is the least recognized arm of clinical Chinese Medicine.  Tuī, in Chinese, means “to push.”  Ná means “to grasp.”  Together these two words create an image of a person using their hands to work with the body.  

Tuina is not to be confused with Chinese massage (called anmo in China).  Whereas anmo is most commonly practiced in massage studios and spas, tuina is a physical medicine modality that includes techniques that are similar to what is seen in osteopathic manipulative medicine, physical therapy, chiropractics, and bone-setting.  

As an advanced form of bodywork whose practice relies on differential diagnosis, tuina is mainly practiced in hospitals and clinics.  It can be used effectively as a standalone therapy or can be used in conjunction with other Chinese Medicine therapies.  Many Chinese Medicine doctors & practitioners choose tuina as their primary medical specialty, which is considered equal to acupuncture and herbal medicine in terms of educational requirements.

For example, many people choose to pursue a medical degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China.  In their third year of study they will decide on their specialty.  The student needs to decide whether they want to be a doctor of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, or Bodywork (Tuina).  This is to prepare them for working in a hospital. 

With the growth of TCM outside of China, most practitioners generally study all three modalities.  This is to prepare them to work in private practice and run their own primary care clinics.  These modalities are all based on the same theory and methodology, and they are used in combination to obtain the best health outcomes for patients.  
 

About Treatment
People sometimes refer to tuina as “needle-less acupuncture” because it has many of the same benefits that acupuncture provides.  This makes it an appropriate therapy for those who do not prefer needles and for those who require a more gentle style of treatment, such as children.  In fact tuina is historically a preferred method of pediatric treatment in China for everything from coughs and digestive issues to skin rashes and birth defects.

After using a system of differential diagnosis to access the presenting condition, the tuina practitioner will create a personalized treatment plan for the patient.  This treatment plan may include bodywork that is applied around the problem area or on other parts of the body.  Medicinal liniments, ointments, or plasters may be applied, and the patient may be sent home with remedial exercises to strengthen and balance the body.  

In the treatment room, Tuina practitioners use various forms of manual stimulation on acupuncture points and along the body’s information networks, which are called “meridians.”  When tuina is applied, it promotes the circulation of blood and lymph, decreases local inflammation, reduces muscle tension, encourages relaxation, & improves the function of soft tissues.  It also corrects the positioning of bones, promotes the free movement of joints, and can be used to improve the health of the internal organs.  There are even tuina techniques that are used to reposition internal organs that may be out of place from injury, illness, or lifestyle factors.  

Tuina can treat a wide range of health conditions, but it is most often used for pain or impaired movement. Everyday examples of what we use tuina to treat in the clinic include:

Many modern Chinese Medicine practitioners use tuina as an adjunct therapy in their clinics to enhance treatment outcomes. Tuina yields immediate results that patients experience as decreased pain, increased range of motion, and improved motor function.  Acupuncture and Herbalism are powerful healing tools, and when used in combination with tuina their combined effects yield even greater treatment results.
 

Questions and Answers About Tuina
What does Tuina do? 
1.) Frees the body of painful “blockages”
2.) Increases range of motion
3.) Allows the natural repositioning of bones
4.) Improves the health of the internal organs
5.) Enhances energy and vitality
6.) Calms and relaxes the mind
7.) Expels pathogens

Is Tuina a type of massage?
Tuina is not a type of massage.  It is a complete system of physical medicine within the greater medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  The hand techniques used by a practitioner of tuina are often confused with massage, but they are in fact deliberate manipulations with specific health outcomes in mind.  

Do I need to take my clothes off?
No, tuina is generally administered over clothing.  Though there are some instances where we may need to move or remove clothing in order to apply medicinal liniments, plasters, or creams on the skin, patients will always be appropriately covered.

Is Tuina painful?
Tuina manipulations can feel strong or mild depending on the outcomes intended by the practitioner.  Some aspects of tuina treatment are relaxing.  Other aspects may feel quite intense.  It’s important to maintain clear communication with your practitioner as tuina is not something that should feel harmful.  Your tuina practitioner is a highly trained and licensed medical professional but relies on you to communicate your needs.

How long does Tuina treatment last?
Tuina treatments may be as brief as 3 minutes or they may last longer than an hour.  Your practitioner will tell you what to expect and how tuina will be incorporated into your treatment plan.

How long will it take before I feel betterr? 
This is something that needs to be discussed with your practitioner.  Each treatment plan is highly individualized and suited to fit your health goals.  You should notice that you feel different immediately after tuina treatment though.  This may include increased range of motion, reduced pain, reduction of symptoms, and/or improved sense of well-being. 

Do you use ointments, oils, or plasters?
In the practice of tuina, many practitioners apply different external herbal formulas to certain areas of the body to promote healing.  These could be alcohol based liniments, oils, or plasters.  Different herbs are used to create warmth or to cool.  They may be used to relax muscles, move blood, strengthen tendons or ligaments, and even heal bone.  Most of these herbs have an aromatic scent that you may notice in the background of many Chinese Medicine clinics. 

  If you are interested in learning more about tuina, contact us to discuss your health goals and how this tranformational modality can help you.  If you are a practitioner seeking training, check out tuina classes for more information.