TuiNa Massage
TuiNa is the traditional manual therapy of Chinese medicine, combining hands-on techniques with the diagnostic principles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Treatment may include rhythmic massage techniques, pressure along the channels and acupuncture points, soft-tissue work, joint mobilisation and gentle structural techniques. Rather than following a fixed massage routine, treatment is adapted according to the individual’s presentation and physical examination.
TuiNa is particularly suited to musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, restricted movement and rehabilitation, and can be adapted from very gentle treatment to more dynamic manual techniques depending on the person and their needs.
In my practice, TuiNa is often integrated with acupuncture, movement and rehabilitation advice. Chinese medicine channel and sinew-channel theory can provide an additional framework for understanding patterns of tension, restriction and movement dysfunction.
As with any manual therapy, treatment is adapted according to the person’s medical history, physical condition and any relevant contraindications. Where symptoms suggest that further medical investigation is needed, appropriate assessment or referral takes priority.
TuiNa has been an important part of both my clinical practice and my teaching for many years.
Treatment begins with assessment. I use channel and sinew-channel examination, movement and structural assessment to understand how pain, restriction and tension are presenting in the individual.
My approach combines traditional TuiNa with Zheng Gu (Chinese structural and bone-setting methods), acupuncture principles and therapeutic movement, adapting the treatment from gentle soft-tissue work to more dynamic techniques when appropriate.
I also teach TuiNa professionally, with a strong emphasis on clinical reasoning, palpation and understanding the body through the framework of Chinese medicine, rather than simply learning a sequence of techniques.
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