What Is Tui Na Massage?
Tui Na Massage is a traditional Chinese style of deep tissue massage, with its name literally translating to tui (推)means to push something (like pushing open the door), but can also mean to grind (like turning a millstone), or also as in pushing forward and promoting an idea. Na (拿)means to grab or to take. Together they explain how the treatment may help reduce and remove problems and that it does this in a physical way. While the treatment itself can be a very deep massage, it can also be done gently. It is not about lots and lots of force or a “no pain, no gain” approach. While sometimes it can be a little uncomfortable during the session, this can be necessary to achieve the treatment goal of managing the discomfort you are already experiencing day to day. This should never be intolerable and communication between you and your therapist is vital to achieving the desired balance.
The main defining factor of Tui Na is that it works with the person as a whole and goes by the idea that an area is injured in relation to the rest of the body and other areas may be over compensating or this injury could even be the cause of over compensation elsewhere
This treatment can be used for any number of conditions and is based upon the same principles of how acupuncture works but is a more physical variant for those who like hands on treatments. It is often used for Muscular Skeletal injuries (such as frozen shoulders or joint injuries) however, can also helpful for mental and emotional conditions, migraines and headaches.
Tui Na for neck pain
This study from 2018 shows promising results from a clinical trial for the addition of Tui Na for the treatment of pain and related symptoms. Patients found that 6 Tui Na sessions over a period of 3 weeks had a beneficial effect on the reduction of symptoms.
What happens during a massage session?
At the start of the session full and thorough consultation will be carried out, that may include physical observations and tests like palpating injuries or assessing range of movement. From here we can get an understanding of what the issue is, but more importantly how it is impacting your overall quality of life and then together we can make a plan to help improve that. As our Tui Na therapists are also qualified in acupuncture, cupping, and Gua Sha, they may also suggest bringing in one or more of these modalities to get the most from your session.
This uses a relaxed approach that is also deep, rather than using force against force and trying to out strength the muscles being worked. Here a deep but relaxed approach is used which allows the body to be at ease and the session can be more impactful. This also encourages the muscles to keep relaxing long after the session has ended.
There are many different techniques that may be used in the session which could include: the stretching of muscles; the articulation and rotation of joints; release of trigger/acupuncture points; deep pressing or lifting of muscles; shaking and vibrating of muscles or areas of the body; and many more too. There is no set formula that each treatment will have but instead each one can differing techniques in differing orders. As peoples left and right generally will not have the same amount of tension or same issues, why would they need the same treatment done to each?
The treatment itself was originally delivered on floor mats or any convenient space however, now bringing this traditional therapy to the clinic it is normally delivered on a massage couch, but sometimes on a floor mat similar to what is used in thai massage or shiatsu. However, for some treatments it may be far better to do so onto the skin, such as if one of the other modalities are used. For this we can provide a towel if needed to help you keep covered, or if you preferred you can bring your own blanket/sheet to cover you.
