Traditional Chinese massage is one of the five pillars of traditional Chinese medicine, with acupuncture, plants, dietetics and lifestyle. In what cases is it useful?
You may have heard of it without really knowing what it was: the Tui Na, better known as the traditional Chinese massage. This practice which is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine offers many benefits, both physical and mental. But what are they? What are the specifics of this massage? Julien Moreau, practitioner Tui Na of the Medoucine network explains everything to us.
What is traditional Chinese massage?
The traditional Chinese massage, called TUI NA (“TUI” which means “to push” and “na” which means “to grasp”) is one of the five pillars of traditional Chinese medicine (the others being acupuncture, pharmacopoeia, dietetics and lifestyle advice). This very anchored practice in current Chinese culture is only in its infancy in the West and offers (just like all the techniques of traditional Chinese medicine) real benefits on the body and the mind.
How does it work?
Proposed by practitioners in traditional Chinese medicine, or simply by Tui Na practitioners, the session will always start with a energy balance. This assessment specific to this approach will provide treatment by massage, but will also be an important indicator for all other practices in traditional Chinese medicine. It makes it possible to identify characteristics which will serve as a guide for putting into practice, namely whether the person is in fullness or impairment, hot or cold, if there are internal or external disorders and if the pathology is of Yin or Yang type. This “diagnosis” makes it possible to deduce balances and imbalances in order to be able to regulate energy circulation by practice. In addition, the energy balance is unique and specific to everyone, it takes into account the person as a whole by integrating their environment in it in order to subsequently offer a personalized response.
Massage is generally practiced through clothes. It brings together more than 300 techniques that we will adapt according to the needs and the parts of the body that we work (fleshy or joint). These techniques can be classified in different groups such as pressures, clearances, kneading, friction, vibration, rolling or even percussion. On the side of the joints, we will rather talk about shaking, extension and flexion, rotation or stretching. The technique used will be chosen according to the morphology, the state of health and the needs of the person.
The TUI Na is practiced by manual techniques, but other techniques can also be used such as Moxas (incandescent sagebank sticks which will warm certain skin areas), suction techniques on specific points) or even Gua SHA (skin friction technique).
What are the benefits?
Traditional Chinese massage makes it possible to bring relaxation and general well-being. We can practice it after a trauma to help healing, find mobility following an elongation, cause the reduction and disappearance of pain, improve tissue vascularization, stimulate self -healing, improve the circulation of Qi, drain organic liquids, improve sleep, restore vitality, calm the mind … the tui na offers many benefits without drug taking, and complement to an existing treatment.
By Julien Moreau, certified and validated therapist of the Medoucine network.
