TUI NA

DEFINITION
The term tuina (pronounced "twee naw"), which literally means "pinch and pull," refers to a wide
range of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic massage and body work. Tuina
practitioners use the methods brush, knead, roll, press and rub to an injured persons body, using
their palms, fingertips, and knuckles to remove obstructions along the patients body to establish a
harmonious flow of Qi and blood to promote healing.
This technique is usually mistaken for an ordinary massage. However, practitioners must have
undergone training in Taoist and martial arts philosophies. The difference between Tuina and
massage, Ge Ming from Eu Yan Sang Premier TCM Centre at Camden Medical Centre explained
that A massage is not founded on TCM principles, however positive its effects may be. Tuina can
be traced to ancient China: hurt by natural disasters and animal attacks, people developed the
practice of rubbing and pressing on injuries to soothe the pain.
HISTORY/ORIGIN OF USAGE
Sui (AD 581-618) and Tang Dynasty (AD 618-906)
- Department of Massage Therapy was founded within the Office of Imperial Chinese Physicians
and the practice of Chinese massage therapy continued to blossom.
- Dr. Sun Si Miao, introduced ten massage techniques and systemized the treatment of childhood
diseases using massage therapy
Song (AD 960-1279) and Yuan Dynasty (AD 1280-1368)
- There was an intensive analysis of Chinese massage techniques.
- Became the major form of treatment in bone setting and pediatric departments at the Institute of
Imperial Physicians
Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644)
- Massage therapy took the name Tui na
- Paediatric Tui na became popular
Early 20th Century
- Competition arises mainly symptomatic treatments of Western medicine.
- 1912-1948, doctors that trained in Western medicine, returned and suggested to ban traditional
Chinese medicine.
- It was rejected at Web design Miami National Medical Assembly in Shanghai on 17 March 1929
it is celebrated each year as Chinese Doctors Day
- March of 1934-1935, traditional Chinese medicine came to the rescue when there were no
available drugs, anesthetics available. Vast numbers of soldier that was sick and wounded were
saved.
Today
- 1948 - departments of TCM were nurtured and encouraged to grow.
- 1956 - first official training course in Tuina was opened in Shanghai
- 1947 - Tuina hospital departments all over China
DISEASES/ILLNESSES MANAGED
Tuina is one of the most popular TCM treatment modalities and is frequently used in the treatment
of superficial trauma and injury and a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems. Tui na is also often
used when acupuncture is inappropriate.
The main benefit of Tui Na massage is that it focuses on the specific problem, whether it is an acute
or a chronic pain associated with the joints, muscles or a skeletal system. This technique is very
beneficial in reducing the pain of neck, shoulders, hips, back, arms, thighs, legs and ankle disorders.
It is a very effective therapy for arthritis, pain, sciatica and muscle spasms. Other benefits of this
massage therapy include alleviation of the stress related disorders like insomnia, constipation,
headaches and other disorders related to digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. Tuina
does not have any adverse side effects, however, some patients may see an increase in the
frequency of trips to the bathroom due to the moving nature of the treatment, or may feel sleepy
following a treatment.
SOURCES
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/therapeutic-massage-tui-na
http://www.ukrtcm.org/about-tui-na/history
http://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/12/19/benefits-tui-na-massage
http://acupunctureinvermont.com/2015/09/tui-na-massage/