Tui Na Massage and Acupuncture

Getting a massage is a great way to treat yourself to something nice, and to relieve stress. What many people may not realize is that there are many medical benefits to getting a massage regularly. Tui Na is a Chinese system of massage that is often practiced in connection with acupuncture. Below, you’ll find more information about what Tui Na massage is, how it works, and what it can treat. 

Tui Na is believed to be the oldest known system of massage. As one of the main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it functions on the principle that imbalances in our vital energy, or Qi (pronounced “chee”), are the root cause of illness and disease. Therefore, the manual stimulation of points along our meridians — the channels or pathways through which Qi circulates — can release blockages and stagnation.   

The goal of Tui Na massage is to restore and support the balance of Yin and Yang energy in your body by getting rid of energy blockages that manifest in illness, disease, and emotional dysregulation. Doing so allows you to find balance and harmony within yourself and your environment.  

Tui Na uses the same system of meridians and acupoints as acupuncture. Each acupoint corresponds to organs and areas deep within your body. That is how treatments localized to the skin and surface muscles can treat ailments in seemingly unrelated areas of your body. The TCM understanding of the body is that every system is interconnected and interrelated. 

What to expect during your appointment 

Tui Na massage utilizes oscillating and pressure techniques that vary in force and speed. Your practitioner will massage your muscles and tendons, as well as use manipulation techniques to realign your body. They may also manually manipulate your joints to improve mobility. 

The techniques used can be categorized as either Yin or Yang, and your practitioner will decide which to use based on your needs. Yin techniques tend to be gentle, passive, and meditative, while Yang techniques are energetic, dynamic, and physical.  

Tui Na massage provides a lot of health benefits. Even for those who are not seeking treatment for a specific health condition, Tui Na will increase your overall feelings of wellness and balance. The therapy warms and relaxes the muscles, providing relief from muscular, as well as joint pain. Many people report feeling energized after their treatment. Additionally, Tui Na is effective at improving blood circulation throughout the body. 

As a holistic treatment, Tui Na provides treatment and relief of many health conditions. It’s also beneficial to those who use it as a wellness or self-care treatment. Tui Na will relax muscles to relieve tension and pain. It also is effective at treating mood disorders like depression, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and musculoskeletal conditions. 

Neck and back pain 

Neck and back pain tend to be caused by sore, stiff muscles. Tui Na massage is idea for releasing tension from your muscles and tendons. This will provide longer lasting relief from pain and make it easier to correct the postures that may have caused your pain. 

Musculoskeletal conditions 

As the name suggests, musculoskeletal conditions are conditions that primarily affect the muscles, tendons, and joints. As Tui Na massage focuses on improving the mobility of your muscles and joints, as well as improving or correcting bodily alignment, it can greatly reduce pain caused by musculoskeletal conditions. 

Carpal tunnel 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of repetitive stress injury that occurs when the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. This is one of the most common workplace injuries among those who work office jobs. Tui Na can help realign your wrist and arm joints to relieve pain and help correct the issue. 

Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage that protects and cushions bones at the joints begins to wear away. Tui Na massage improves mobility and functionality of your joints while relieving pain and stiffness. 

Headaches 

Tui Na is effective at improving blood circulation throughout the body. As headaches often result from poor blood flow to the base of the neck, forehead, or cheeks, this type of massage can relieve chronic or persistent headaches. It’s also effective at relieving headaches that result from tension in the neck and shoulders. 

Depression 

Depression is a condition that affects both your mental and physical health. Affective treatment involves addressing physical symptoms, as well. To that end, Tui Na massage can help manage symptoms of fatigue, poor sleep, stiffness, and sore muscles. 

If you are interested in exploring Tui Na massage and acupuncture, book an appointment with Maisy today!