Thi-Na as a Tool of Chinese Medicine

The starting point is Tui Na (Tui = stroking, Na = lifting), or Chinese medical massage, which is learned by Chinese doctors as another tool to use alongside acupuncture and Chinese herbs. In essence, it's simply a form of massage with a repertoire of different strokes, which are worked, on a clothed patient.

The basic techniques that form Tui Na include:

• Rou (circular kneading with palm or fingers),
• An (pressing), Muo (circular rubbing),
• Qian Yin (traction techniques) or
• Gong Fa (rolling technique), as well as others, and they are worked in combination, as appropriate.

In this therapy, the practitioner always works downwards, in contrast to Western massage, moving the Qi out to the extremities and clearing, nourishing and re-balancing the centre of the body.

The style focuses on deep pressure and movement along the Qi meridians and certain Qi points. Its invigorating and re-energising method releases blocked energy and restores a balanced flow throughout the body, promoting health and preventing disease.

Treatment is given through clothes as the technique does not use oils and can be given to the person, while seated or lying on a massage table. Various techniques such as squeezing, pulling, grabbing, kneading and stroking have been developed for certain conditions and all aim to relax the muscles, ease chronic pain and promote Qi flow.

These soft tissue massage techniques lead on to certain joint manipulations, which involve many types of arm and leg shakes, extensions and rotations that complement the overall treatment. Tui Na massage is often used in China to treat conditions that in the West would require an Osteopath, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist or Sports Therapist. Lower back pain is a common complaint, which many Western doctors will diagnose as sciatica, 'wear and tear', or a slipped disc.

Treatment is often combined with anti-inflammatory drugs and bed rest, with surgery as a final solution.

Thi Na represents another attractive treatment, whose vast appeal for such common and painful conditions is being reflected in increasing application and appreciation in the West.