Chinese Medical Massage is an important component in traditional chinese medicine (TCM)

It is one of the oldest methods of healing used in ancient chinese society. It has since undergone several thousand years of clinical development and practice, resulting in a unique and comprehensive discipline aligning theory and practice perfectly.

Tui-Na is one of the four main branches of T.C.M the others are traditional chinese herbs, acupuncture and chi-kung. This massage dates back to around 2700BC.

Tui-na differs from other forms of massage in that it is used to treat specific illnesses of an internal nature as well as musculoskeletal ailments.

The Tui-Na practitioner must have a through understanding of the rationale of TCM in order to make a diagnosis according to it's principals. This is essential before treatment can begin. The treatment itself involves the use of a wide range of specific manual techniques, all of which have particular effects areas of influence.

In Tui-Na, manipulations are used to stimulate points or other other parts of the body surface to correct physiological imbalance in the body and achieve curative effects. That is Tui-Na dredges the channels and collaterals, promotes blood circulation and regulates yin and yang so as to return body functions to normal.

Since the primary effects of Tui-Na is to restore balance, Tui-Na increase or decrease the body's functions to combat either excess of deficiency as appropriate. For this reason,Tui-Na is said to regulate dual-directionally. For instance, Tui-Na practiced on appropriate points over the abdomen and back (or arms) returns abnormal peristals, to normal regardless of whether the patient suffers from hyperperistalsis or hypoperistalisis.

In general the effect of Tui-Na is twofold: smoothing and checking. Smoothing means dispensing obstruction while checking means restraining hyperfunction.

Tui- Na is traditionally and most often used to treat the following:

Cervical spondylosis

Lumber muscle strain

Acute lumber muscle sprain

Prolapse of lumber intervertebral disc

Epigastralgia

Constipation

Hypertension

Many other ailments such as Tennis elbow, Sciatica, Headaches, Diarrhea and others benefit from Tui-Na.

Tui-Na may be used not only to treat diseases but also to protect health and build up the body to prevent disease. By practicing self Tui-Na, Chinese Forefathers kept their chi and blood flowing freely, strengthened their tendons and bones, eliminating fatigue and restlessness and promoted longevity.

Many people in the West have been drawn to and helped by TCM and acupuncture. Now Tui-Na is beginning to spread throughout the west and it's popularity is growing daily as people begin to reap the benefits of this therapy as they have done in China for thousands of years.