What is Tui Na?
Translated as "pinching and pulling," tui na is a form of Chinese orthopedic massage that aims to improve both specific conditions as well as one's overall health and well-being. It is a therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, cupping and gua sha.
How does it work?
Tui Na aims to increase blood and lymph circulation as well as release tightness and congestion throughout the various layers of the body, including skin, fascia and muscles. A combination of massage, acupressure and other forms of body manipulation leads to improve health and vitality. As noted above, during a typical session, cupping and gua sha may be incorporated into the treatment. These tools help to increase the effectiveness of the massage treatment as they are able to strongly target specific areas of pain or congestion in the body.
As it can be quite intense and the movements used very invigorating, tui na is often used for treating chronic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, and stress-related disorders overuse for simple relaxation. While it can be used for a myriad of conditions, it has been most often used for neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and sciatica, tennis elbow and digestive and respiratory system ailments. However, like acupuncture, it often addresses the overall health and well-being of a patient.