Tui Na

See also : Chinese Massage
Tui na or tuina is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, fire cupping, Chinese herbalism, t'ai chi, and qigong.Tui na is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese taoist and martial arts principles in an effort to bring the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into balance. The practitioner may brush, knead, roll/press, and rub the areas between each of the joints, known as the eight gates, to attempt to open the body's defensive (wei) chi and get the energy moving in the meridians and the muscles. The practitioner can then use range of motion, traction, and massage, with the stimulation of acupressure points. These techniques are claimed to aid in the treatment of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions. Tui na is an integral part of TCM and is taught in TCM schools as part of formal training in Oriental medicine. Many East Asian martial arts schools also teach Tui na to their advanced students for the treatment and management of injury and pain due to training. As with many other traditional Chinese medical practices, there are several different schools with greater or smaller differences in their approach to the discipline. It is related also to Chinese massage or anma (按摩). In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified as either "external" or "internal" treatment. Tui na was considered to be one of the external methods, thought to be especially suitable for use on the elderly population and on infants. Today, Tui na is subdivided into specialized treatment for infants, adults, orthopedics, traumatology, cosmetology, rehabilitation, sports medicine, etc.

Special Precautions of Tui Na

Tuina is generally considered safe when administered by a trained professional. However, it's important for people with cancer and certain chronic conditions (including heart disease and arthritis) to consult their physician prior to undergoing tuina and other forms of bodywork.It's also important to note that using tuina in place of standard care for a chronic condition or major illness may have serious consequences.

Benefits and uses of Tui Na are

Tuina is said to aid in the treatment of the following conditions:

• arthritis
• back pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome : A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2012 indicates that a combination of tuina and warm-needling (a form of acupuncture) may help treat carpal tunnel syndrome. In tests on 98 people with carpal tunnel syndrome, the study's authors found that those assigned to the combination therapy experienced greater improvements than members of a control group given medication.
• chronic fatigue syndrome : Tuina shows promise in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, according to a study published in Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion in 2010. For the study, 90 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were split into three groups: one group underwent tuina, one group practiced tai chi, and one group received Fluoxetine (an antidepressant medication sometimes used in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome). After a month, members of the tuina group showed the greatest improvements in free radical metabolism. The study's authors note that this effect may reduce fatigue and, in turn, help treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
• constipation
• fatigue
• fibromyalgia : A combination of tuina and yoga may benefit people with fibromyalgia, suggests a small study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2007. For eight weeks, 40 women with fibromyalgia took part in weekly sessions involving either yoga or a combination of yoga and tuina. In their analysis of findings on the 33 women who completed the study, researchers found that members of the yoga-plus-tuina group experienced greater improvements in pain.
• headache
• insomnia
• menstrual cramps : A small study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2008 shows that a combination of acupuncture and tuina may help alleviate menstrual cramps. In tests on 60 women, researchers determined that tuina-plus-acupuncture was more effective than acupuncture alone for menstrual cramp relief.
• migraine
• muscle spasms
• musculoskeletal problems
• sciatica