Tuina
What it is:
Tuina or tui-na (pronounced twee-nah) massage is one of the main branches of traditional Chinese medicine.
It’s like acupuncture in the way it targets specific acupoints, but practitioners use fingers instead of needles to apply pressure to stimulate these points. Tuina massage is often used in combination with acupuncture.
It’s based on the theory that imbalances of qi, which is the body’s vital life force or energy, can cause blockages or imbalances that lead to symptoms such as pain and illness.
Tuina massage stimulates the flow of qi to promote balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture.
How it works:
The underlying philosophy of tuina massage is that true health is achieved when one has found harmony and balance inside the self and their environment. The main therapeutic goal of tuina massage is to remove the energetic blocks that are causing qi stagnation. Tuina massage is a safe treatment and is generally well-tolerated. HNeverthelss please note that it’s not a gentle or relaxing massage, and you may feel some discomfort during or after a session.
For a more detailed explaination of turina, and when it is useful, please click here.