Tui Na massage is effective in the treatment of a wide range of health conditions and ailments including: Fibromyalgia, Parkinson´s disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, musculo-skeletal disorders, joint dysfunction, asthma and bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis.

When utilized as a complementary therapy, Tui Na massage can enhance conventional health care by providing comfort, relaxation and a sense of well-being. Tui Na can also speed the body´s healing process after surgery or illness.

Tui Na can reduce muscle strain, restore balance to body and mind, rejuvenate, and maintain wellness. Tui Na´s focus on specific ailments, rather than a more generalized treatment, makes it an ideal alternative and/or extension to Swedish and other traditional western massage methods.

Tui Na is categorized into specialized treatment for orthopedics, geriatrics, chiropractic care, physical therapy, sports medicine, energy work, and massage therapy. Tui Na can treat or complement the treatment of internal disorders, chronic stress-related respiratory ailments and shoulder and back pain.

Similar to principles of acupuncture, Tui Na focuses on specific acupressure points, energy trigger points and muscles and joints surrounding the affected area. Tui Na both treats and prevents disease through eight basic methods: Palpating (mo), rejoining (jie), opposing (duan), lifting (ti), pressing (an), kneading (mo), pushing (tui), and holding (na).

Often used in conjunction with acupuncture and Chinese herbalism, Tui Na ("push and grasp") Chinese therapeutic massage therapy is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), originating in the Shang Dynasty, around 1700 B.C. Today, many martial arts schools teach Tui Na for the treatment and management of injury and pain due to training.

Based on the TCM theory of chi flow through the meridian channels, Tui Na incorporates acupressure to bring the body into balance, removes obstructions in energy pathways and promotes an increase in the body´s vital energy.

Tui Na plays a role in rehabilitation and health maintenance and is effective in the treatment of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Tui Na techniques can enhance joint mobility, heal soft tissue injuries, and is effective in nerve regulation.

Benefits of Tui Na include: Increased circulation, reduced muscle tension and initiation of the relaxation response. Increasing circulation reduces swelling caused by fluid retention and improves tissue nutrition. Reducing muscle tension can improve mobility and balance coordination. Eliciting the relaxation response can improve appetite/digestion, ease breathing and reduce stress-related conditions, such as headache and asthma.

Involving work with anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, and biomechanics, Tui Na is suited to a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics and offices. Tui Na can speed healing of sprained ligaments, reduce blood pressure, improve posture, and decrease heart rate.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College´s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.