Tui Na Massage – What is it?

Tui Na is a form of Chinese medical massage which originated more than 2,000 years ago. It is closely linked to acupuncture and its associated meridians and points. There are twelve acupuncture meridians distributed throughout the body carrying qi (a form of energy or life force pronounced ‘chee’) which can become stuck or blocked giving rise to pain or illness. Tui Na employs various compression techniques applied along acupuncture meridians and also on specific acupuncture points to bring about a balance of qi within the body and restore its natural flow and thus optimize health. To achieve this, Tui Na is used in conjunction with Qi Gong, an ancient form of meditative exercise which also utilizes the natural qi of the body. Thus Tui Na massage is a method of using the qi of the masseuse to enhance the compression techniques to move qi in the body of the patient restoring balance and harmony and alleviating symptoms.

Posted by Alison Duncan, Acupuncturist and member of Sutton Complementary Health Network.