What is Tuina Chinese Medical Acupressure

Tuina is a bodywork therapy that was developed in China over 3,000 years ago. It works with the energy system in the body known as the meridian or channel system. Like Acupuncture, Tuina works with the Qi (chi) energy of the patient to bring a balanced state of health. But unlike, acupuncture, no needles are used. The work is done entirely with the practitioner's hands to help increase the beneficial flow of Qi through the patient's meridian system.

The practitioner of Tuina learns to diagnose the patient by feeling the pulse. The pulse tells the practitioner which meridians may need stimulation and which may need to be subdued in order to bring the patient to a state of balanced health.

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Today, Tuina is used in hospitals throughout China in conjunction with other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Tuina practitioners in China are treated with the same respect as doctors of acupuncture and herbalism and often these modalities work hand in hand as a holistic approach to patient well-being.

Active Health Foundation offers an intensive program of Tuina study in conjunction with the Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China, that is primarily focused towards those individuals with a background in massage work or other health professions.

In China Tuina is a preferred choice in treating prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc, cervical spondylopathy, periarthritis of shoulder, lumbar muscle strain, injury of piriformis, dislocation of small joints, constipation, diabetes mellitus, chronic gastritis gastroptosis, neurasthenia, infantile indigestion, infantile diarrhoea, paediatric cerebral paralysis, infantile torticollis and dysmenorrhea. 

Clinical Tuina

Tuina practitioners treat health conditions by diagnosing medical patterns of disharmony according to the ancient methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They then manipulate specially chosen areas of the body to facilitate healing. Tuina is also known as needle-less acupuncture. Practitioners take account of the full medical history of a patient and the way they look and behave before carrying out treatment.

What is it used to treat?

Tuina is an ancient Chinese therapy.  It is a medical technique recognized by the World Health Organization.  It is used to promote health and treat a wide range of conditions including:

• Digestive disorders

• Musculo-skeletal pain syndromes

• Menstrual and reproductive problems

• Mental and physical conditions (such as stress, addictions, insomnia)

• Chronic conditions not helped by other therapies.

In a Tuina treatment, the practitioner manipulates the patient's skin at certain points on the body.  This stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals, which in turn lead to an improved biochemical balance within the body.  This is known as "balancing the Qi (energy)".  The end result is improved health.

Clinical Procedure

On a client's first visit, the Tuina practitioner makes a diagnosis.  Interviewing the client about their lifestyle, diet, sleep, emotions, family history and many other things does this.  As the client talks, the Tuina practitioner notes down significant points on a medical record card. The Tuina practitioner then examines the client.  They may observe the patient's posture, examine their skin, nails, eyes and tongue, and take their pulse, which has 28 different qualities. All these things are taken together to make a diagnosis and decide on the treatment.  This is a holistic approach, meaning that the practitioner treats the whole person and not just the particular symptoms in isolation.

Treatment

For the treatment, the Tuina practitioner manipulates the patient's skin at certain points on the body, with finger, knuckle, palm, elbow or knee pressure, according to where the ‘meridians’ are.  A meridian is a line or channel of Qi (energy) running through the body.  The treatment can take between 20 and 70 minutes. Normally it will last of 60 minutes. During this time, the Tuina practitioner will use between 10 to 20 different manipulation techniques to balance the Qi (energy)

Sometimes the advanced Tuina practitioners will use cupping - a therapy that uses vacuum suction that stimulates circulation in an area. The Tuina practitioner may also use heat (known as Moxibustion - a small amount of herbal substance is burned, to heat at the particular area of the skin).

At the end of the treatment, the Tuina practitioner will offer advice on lifestyle and exercises.  After this, the Tui Na practitioner may arrange another appointment for the patient and take payment.

Duration or Number of Treatments

Although one treatment is effective, it must be realised that Tuina is a natural therapy and as such works with the bodies own healing abilities which are normally slow. It is not beneficial to force the body's homeostatic ability. Normally it will require 10 treatments to fully feel the benefits of Tuina.

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james@active-health.org