Tui Na is one of the four main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, the others being acupuncture, Qi Gong, and Chinese herbal medicine.
It is based on the Chinese medical principle that pain and illness are symptoms of a blockage or imbalance of Qi, the body’s vital energy. Tui Na therapists work to encourage the free flow of energy and balance yin and yang within the body.
Tui Na is not new-age. Although it is a relatively recent introduction to the UK, Tui Na has been practiced and studied for thousands of years. In China, many doctors specialise in Tui Na and hospitals have dedicated Tui Na departments.
Tui Na is both a physical therapy and a form of energetic medicine. Depending on the condition being treated and the practitioner’s background, the style of a Tui Na treatment can vary from a vigorous deep-tissue style massage, to a subtle energetic treatment not unlike Reiki or craniosacral therapy. Tui Na uses manual manipulation and Qi Gong techniques to stimulate the body’s web-like meridian system and encourage the smooth flow of energy around the body.