"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life.  But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.  Then life would begin.  At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life"   Alfred D Souza

What is Tui Na?

Tui Na Chinese Medical Massage is a complete healing system that forms one of the three strands of Traditional Chinese Medicine (the other two being acupuncture and herbal medicine).  Tui Na has been practiced in China for more than 4000 years and is still available today in hosptals and clinics throughout the country; but is only now becoming known in the West.  After such a lengthy period of development and evolution, modern Tui Na is the most tried and tested hands-on therapy in the world.

Tui Na works in accordance with the complex theory of TCM.  Fundamental to this theory is the life powering energy that the Chinese call Qi (pronounced 'chee').  Qi flows through the body in channels, called Meridians, and supplies energy to all body tissues, organs and the the mind.  Interestingly, Western scientific methods have been used to plot the courses of these meridians, and they confirm the accuracy of detailed maps produced around the time of The Yellow Emperor's Classics of Internal Medicine (written around 2300BC).

Tui Na applies pressure to the meridians and specific points on them (the acu-points of acupuncture), affecting the flow of Qi so that it moves freely and evenly throughout the body.  This has profound effects on all aspects of your wellbeing; the emotional, intellectual and spiritual, as well as the physical.  When your Qi flow is balanced you will feel relaxed, confident and full of energy.

Tui Na treats chronic pain, especially that caused by muscle-skeletal conditions and injuries. Neck, shoulder and back pain and immobility, sciatica and 'tennis elbow' all respond very well. It is, however, impossible to treat a specific condition with Tui Na without improving the overall Qi status of the body. This means that headaches, migraines, IBS, constipation, PMS and a whole range of emotional problems are also treated.

In China, Tui Na is used for conditions that, in the West, would be treated by osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists or with drugs.

It is a very vigorous massage; every technique requires movement as well as pressure.  After the first session you may feel a little sore but after two or three more most people adjust to the deep pressure.  Depending on the type of Tui Na treatment you have, you might leave feeling a bit light headed. Some patients experience sleepiness while others feel supercharged. Almost always, everyone feels better after Tui Na.