Tui na is Chinese massage, and is potentially more than 3000 years old. It can be a stand-alone treatment or can be incorporated into an acupuncture treatment where indicated, as it is based on the theories and diagnostics of Chinese Medicine. That means that it works on an energetic level as well as physical. ‘Tui’ means ‘to push’, and ‘na’ means ‘To grasp’. Depending on the individual presentation, Tui na can be used to clear stagnation, regulate the Organs, nourish and rejuvenate, and calm and relax. Like sports and remedial massage, there are techniques that also help improve range of movement and rehabilitate from strain or injury.
There are many techniques used and they can be Yin or Yang, that is more gentle and soothing, or more vigorous. It is usually done through clothing, like Thai massage, so patients are advised to wear light clothing such as a T-shirt and loose trousers or jogging bottoms.
My course incorporated some reflexology training, which involves stimulating certain points on the feet that relate to areas of the body.
I have also learned paediatric Tui na skills, which are simple, gentle techniques for babies and children. They can be very soothing. I offer half-hour treatments for this, which can include showing you some simple techniques that you can use yourself on your baby.
