| Tui Na (pronounced 'twee nar', and sometimes | | | | Yin and Yang techniques as required, and most |
| known as 'anmo') is ancient form of Chinese | | | | treatments are somewhere between the 2 |
| Massage. It forms one of the main branches of | | | | extremes. There are no set routines, and |
| Chinese medicine alongside acupuncture, herbalism, | | | | treatments are always tailored to each person |
| taiji/qigong and nutrition. It is still quite uncommon | | | | depending on individual needs. |
| in the West, yet in China it is considered an | | | | Tui Na includes the same detailed diagnostic |
| important therapy, and can be found in most | | | | methods and complex understanding of the body |
| Chinese hospitals. It is around 3000 years old, and | | | | and mind as Acupuncture and other branches of |
| many modern massage styles such as Swedish | | | | Chinese medicine. This is what marks it as |
| massage and Shiatsu are derived from it. | | | | separate from most other massage. In Tui Na, |
| Tui Na is unlike any other kind of massage both in | | | | the therapy is inseparable from the theory. |
| theory and practice. Therapists work with both | | | | This makes this kind fo treatment suitable for far |
| the physical body and the energetic body; They | | | | more than just muscular problems, in fact it can |
| use what you would recognise as massage | | | | be successfully used for a wide range of 'internal' |
| techniques to ease the knots and tension out of | | | | conditions including respiratory, circulatory, |
| muscles, and at the same time work with the | | | | digestive, psycho-emotional and hormonal |
| meridians (channels) and acupoints to regulate and | | | | problems to name a few. It is also of great |
| balance the flow of energy (Qi) in the same way | | | | benefit in maintaining health and dealing with |
| as in acupuncture. This means that there are a | | | | stress. |
| range of 'acupressure' techniques in Tui Na, and | | | | A Tui Na Treament |
| sometimes it is called 'acupressure massage', | | | | To begin with you will be given a full Chinese |
| although that term is also used for less | | | | Diagnosis before treatment, just as you would if |
| sophisticated acupressure routines which lack the | | | | you were receiving acupuncture. The practitioner |
| underlying theories and understanding of Tui Na. | | | | will ask you about your complaint and your |
| Tui Na can be broadly divided into Yin and Yang | | | | general health, and will look at your tongue and |
| styles. The Yin Style is a very gentle healing | | | | take your pulse. |
| practice using light touch. It regulates and balances | | | | The treatment itself will be tailored to your |
| the energy (Qi), clearing stagnation from the | | | | individual circumstances, and is normally performed |
| meridians and strengthening organ function. It is a | | | | over clothing. Sometimes you may be asked to |
| deeply calming and relaxing treatment. | | | | remove some of your clothing if oil is to be used. |
| The Yang style is a more physical treatment that | | | | Even when strong techniques are used the |
| uses deep penetrating techniques to break down | | | | practitioner uses cues from your body to |
| muscular knots and tension. It is extremely | | | | determine the correct strength of the techniques |
| effective on tight and stiff muscles, but without | | | | - nothing should be unduly painful. In some cases |
| being painful as some deep massages can be. | | | | only very light and gentle techniques will be used, |
| In actual fact, the skilled practitioner will use both | | | | but these can be just as effective. |