Introduction to Tuina - Chinese Medical Massage

Tuina simply means "pushing and grasping". It is an external therapy that is applied to the surface of the body. The practitioner performs manipulations on certain points or area's of the patients' body with his or her hand, elbow or other part of the body according to the requirement of the treatment. The pressure of the manipulation either acts on the body directly or on the channels and collaterals to regulate diseased organs and tissues. Tuina can be used in both the prevention and treatment of disease.

Tuina flourished throughout China until the Qing Dynasty where it was suppressed along with other Chinese cultural arts. Following the Communist revolution, Tuina was restored along with other traditional medical arts and was included in the creation of the current system of Traditional Medicine Colleges. The term tuina is used today to distinguish massage or acupressure therapy based on theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from popular folk massage, which is simply called "Anmo".

The philosophical origins of Chinese Medicine have grown out of the ideas of Taoism. The ideas of Taoism are closely based on observation of the natural world and the manner in which it operates. This leads to a metaphoric view of the human body that manifests the yin and yang changes that are seen in the natural world. Thus, the liver in Chinese Medicine refers to set off related bodily functions, and not the specific organ as in the western meaning of the word "liver".

Yin and yang refer to the dynamic interchange that occurs everywhere in nature. The seed (yin) grows into the plant (yang), which itself dies back into the earth. Winter (yin) transforms through spring into summer (yang) which in turn transforms through autumn into winter again.

Thus, practitioners of Chinese Medicine define their patients' difficulties in terms that naturally emerge from the Taoist philosophical traditions. The diagnosis will place the signs and symptoms into an independent tapestry where physical symptoms, emotional reactions, and spiritual beliefs are set alongside social and environmental factors in order to understand how the energy dynamics of the individual lead to health or disharmony.

Tuina is well suited for the treatment of specific musculoskeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. Effective treatment protocols have been tested in a practical setting. Tuina is not especially useful for those seeking a mild, sedating and relaxing massage since it tends to be more task focused than other types of bodywork. Contraindications include conditions involving fractures, phlebitis, infectious conditions, open wounds, and lesions.

Tuina's simplicity and focus on specific problems, rather than a more generalized treatment, make it both an excellent alternative and/or extension of the Swedish-style massage. Tuina requires almost no equipment or special medical facilities, and by utilizing treatments of shorter duration, it can be used in a variety of settings, including home, office, clinic or hospital. It is well suited for both the professional massage therapist and the active, health conscious individual.

Because it an external therapy, it allows the patent to avoid medicines or invasive surgical procedures, which may cause other kinds of physical damage. Tuina has almost no side effects if the diagnosis and manipulation are correct.

Modern medical research has demonstrated that tuina improves skin respiration, and increases skin temperature, brightness and elasticity. After treatment, the circulation of blood and lymph is accelerated. The number of phagocytes (wbcs) is significantly increased. Gastro-intestinal peristalsis and digestive gland secretion also improve. The therapy improves both general and local metabolism, as well as bio-electrical conductivity, and blood circulation to the heart, brain and kidneys.

Oriental bodywork has developed primarily through a combination of instinct and hands on experience. Its principles and healing techniques integrates acupressure techniques with breathing meditation, herbal remedies and massage. Contemporary practitioners continue to incorporate these traditional principles along with the discovery of new treatment protocols and styles.

Chinese Medicine is more than 2,000 years old. Yet over all that time, it has retained an aesthetic and pragmatic relevance for humankind today. Of course, any tradition remains vital only insofar as it allows itself to grow and develop. The Chinese tradition is no different. Based on ancient and revered texts, it has continued to discover itself anew.

References:

• Tui Na - Chinese Bodywork Therapy -
  By Bill Helm
  http://www.acupuncture.com/qigong_tuina/tuinabodywork.htm
  
• Alternative Medicine: the definitive guide -
  by Burton Goldberg, Max Allan Goldberg
  ISBN: 1587611414
  
• The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine -
  Ted J. Kaptchuk
  ISBN: 08092248
  
• Chinese Tuina -
  by Ping Chen
  ISBN: 7030056744
  
• Practical Tuina Acupressure, A Textbook for the Enquiring Student -
  James O'Sullivan