Tui na: Chinese Massage originated during the second century B.C. and soon spread to India and Egypt. First known as An Mo, it is also one of the original components of the ancient practice of TCM. Tuina simply translates as “Push (Tui) and Grasp (Na),” while its philosophy is greatly aligned with the Taoist tradition and represents an evolved and internally coherent therapeutic that has emerged through several millennia of cultural experience.
Similar to Traditional Acupuncture, Tuina Massage is holistic in nature and through a vitalistic and qualitative understanding of human nature; health is achieved through Yin and Yang forces coexisting harmoniously to support the body’s inherent natural healing abilities. ‘Best treatment is prevention’ being one of its main principles, it addresses the total human being (Mind, Body & Spirit) and also incorporates the relationship between the individual and their surrounding environment.
Massage remains an effective modality that can benefit many Health Conditions. Tui Na can correct any imbalance using Massage with additional manual therapies such as Acupressure, Cupping, Gua Sha (Spooning), Moxibustion (Warming), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Lifestyle and Dietary Advice or through the prescription of Chinese Herbal Formulas. Tuina Massage can also provide an alternative to Acupuncture for children or clients who suffer from needle phobia.
Note: Tuina massage is traditionally performed whilst fully clothed, however appropriate disrobing would be required for incorporated oil massage, Cupping, Gua Sha and Moxibustion
Although the exact workings of TCM are not understood from a Western viewpoint, Tuina Massage remains an effective modality that is distinct from all others in its unique philosophical and physiological understanding of the human body and health.
Cupping: Cupping is a therapy in which a vacuum created through a cup that is applied on the body surface to help remove stagnation and toxins, to promote free flow and Qi and blood, diminishing swelling and pain.
Ancient Chinese medicine have believed that the body contains "Meridians". These meridians are pathways in the body which the energy of life called Qi ("chi") flows through. It flows through every body part, tissue, and organ. Cupping therapy is mainly performed on one's back because there are five meridians on your back. When these meridians are opened, the internal energy is able to flow through the whole body. Another healing aspect of cupping therapy is through the release of toxins in your body. The suction from the cups can penetrate deep into your tissues causing the tissues to release harmful toxins. It triggers the lymphatic system, clears the blood vessels, and stretches and activates the skin.
History of Cupping Therapy Cupping has been used as a therapeutic approach over 5000 years in China. Originally cattle horns are used for such a treatment, therefore Cupping therapy was also called "Horn Therapy". People use cupping to treat all sort of pains, cold, Chronic cough. Cupping therapy also were used to suck blood and pus out for treating boils, or poison snake bite.
Cupping had been used to treat disease in other part of the world a few thousand years ago as well. In 1550 BC, people in Egypt were using cupping for bleeding or other diseases as well as preserve health. In Greece, there are still some people use cupping to treat cold (with blood letting afterwards to get toxins out from the body).
How Cupping Therapy Works Where there's stagnation, there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, and you remove the pain.
Cupping therapy works by reducing the pain we feel in our bodies. In alternative medicine, pain is believed to be caused by problems relating to your Qi flow. This can be related to stress in the body, imbalances of hormones and fluids, lack of blood flow, and temperature in the muscles and joints. When a suction cup is place on a problem area, the vacuum pull of the cup creates warmth and circulation in the area. Very soon, you will feel that the pain is reduced.