Tuina is now being popularized in this country as a powerful therapeutic extension of traditional western massage methods. Tuina’s simplicity and focus on specific problems, rather than a more generalized treatment, make it both an excellent alternative and/or extension of the usual ‘western’ massage. By utilizing treatments of shorter duration, it can be used in a variety of settings, including home, office, clinic or hospital. It is well suited for both the professional massage therapist or the active, health conscious individual. However it is important to have a full understanding of the TCM, and the full repertoire of correct hand and finger techniques to ensure the therapist can facilitate correct healing.

Tuina (Chinese massage-traumatology),an important component and TCM,is a clinical subject of TCM,which prevernts and treats with natural hand techniques.

Literally ,the terms of "tui" and "na"means pushing and grasping.

Currentily,it is best known as Tuina.  Anmo is the massage function which created the formation and development of Tuina .During ancient times, the Chinese people found that palpating, pressing or patting affected body parts, could effectively relieve pain and alleviate some symptoms. On this basis, effort was made to study those points and meridians that effect a response to, so much so that an early Tuina was formed.

 

Somewhere around the 6th Century AD, China and Japan began commercial trade. This obviously brought with it cultural exchange as commercial trade always does. China at this point already had a very comprehensive system of traditional medicine which included acupuncture, moxa, herbs and massage. Japan took many of these systems and amalgamated them into its own culture, amending them slightly in accordance with their own beliefs.
Shiatsu’s roots can be traced back to more ancient forms of massage that were practised in China called Tuina and Anma as well as native Japanese massage called Teate.
Massage flourished in Japan for many years. In fact, around 300 years ago, all doctors in Japan were required to study anma, Tuina and other forms of massage to increase their understanding of anatomy. 
Over time, massage became sidelined, as acupuncture grew massively. In addition it dwindled further with the introduction of western medicine with its focus on biomedicine.
Tamai Tempaku coined the word ‘Shiatsu’ in the early 1900s, as a way of describing massage and bodywork that he was working with. He wrote a book called Shiatsu Ho, which is considered the first book written on the subject of shiatsu. 
Some of the Chinese Medicine texts where integrated into the system, eventually forging other versions of shiatsu which re-incorporate much of the lost Chinese Medicine theories, while still maintaining western anatomy and physiology. 
*The great flexibility of shiatsu is in its ability to work in a traditional way using ancient oriental medical theory, while at the same time looking forward and incorporating western anatomy and physiology.

*Modern Tuina does this also, but because of its breadth of application it has a far larger application upon treatment of human conditions.

Many people think of Chinese medicine as being all about acupuncture, and they would be right up to a point. In Ireland, acupuncture is certainly the best known modality under the wide umbrella of Chinese medicine. However, acupuncture is only one way in which Chinese medical practitioners help people to heal. The following are descriptions of other modalities that are considered important components of Chinese medicine. 

Chinese Herbal Pharmacology

Practitioners of Chinese Herbal Pharmacology rely on formulas or a combination of herbs to achieve the desired healing effects. Herbs come in many forms, including pills and capsules, powdered or raw, which are cooked in hot water and taken like a tea.
Chinese Herbal Pharmacology is an important treatment modality for many practitioners. It began thousands of years ago in southern China, where the weather was warm and humid, producing a rich variety of plants from which to choose. Herbalists today draw on formulas that have been in use for hundreds, and even thousands of years.
Chinese herbs are effective for a number of reasons. Practitioners are better able to fine-tune their treatments and a formula can be custom tailored or altered as an illness or condition changes. In addition, by taking herbs, you can augment your acupuncture treatment, and continue your care at home. 

Tuina

Bodywork is the use of Tuina, which is a form of medical massage, to treat a variety of conditions. Tuina usually incorporates the stimulation of acupuncture points and energy pathways in to a massage format to achieve the best results.
Tuina may be used for any condition, but is especially effective for musculoskeletal conditions. A practitioner may work on the entire body or just the affected area. 

Cupping

Cupping is a method of treatment that uses suction to move energy and blood. Glass cups are applied, usually after a lit alcohol swab inside the cup has created the vacuum necessary to create suction on your skin. The cups may be left in one position on your body or slid across your skin to affect a larger area.
Cupping is especially effective for painful conditions. Most frequently, your back area or larger muscles on your legs or arms are cupped. 

 
Moxabustion

Moxabustion is a warming method that involves the use of the herb artemesia. The artemesia may be loosely rolled into cones or tightly rolled into a stick, and is lit and placed near your body, usually at acupoints. The smoke produced is extremely warming and penetrating. 
It is commonly used to treat cold conditions such as arthritis that becomes worse during cold, damp weather. 


Lifestyle and Dietary Therapy

Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that lifestyle and diet play a large role in health and illness. As a result, most practitioners offer lifestyle guidelines on topics such as stress reduction, exercise, and sleep.
Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that food is the same as medicine. Therefore, most practitioners will offer advice and guidelines about dietary choices. Dietary therapy may consist of ways to improve your digestion and choosing easily digestible and nourishing foods, or they may prescribe foods that nourish a particular organ or system in the body.

Unlike conventional medicine, where you depend entirely on the doctor’s direction, you are part of your health solution in TCM.  Pediatrics in TCM looks at treating children in four ways

– through proper diet,

– herbal medicines,

– Chinese massage (Tui Na) and

– acupuncture. 

– Your child will also be expected to learn how to handle stress and to regularly exercise.

 

You will find that most children like the TCM sessions like Tui Na massage or acupuncture.  The needles are incredibly thin now and insertion can barely be felt.  Sometimes Chinese Herbal medicines for your children are burnt near the child during these sessions.  Don’t be alarmed.  These burning herbs will not be put on the child.  They seem to activate the emotions and self-esteem of the child to help give their natural immune system a boost.

 

As you can see it is not just a question of taking a prescription to cure the ailment but rather  a complete system to transform the body back to  natural balance.

One of Tuina's advantages over western massage is its ability to focus on specific problems, especially chronic pain associated with the muscles, joints, and skeletal system.

Its quick therapeutic action is effective for joint pain (such as arthritis), sciatica, muscle spasms, and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. It also helps chronic conditions such as insomnia, constipation, headaches (including migraines), and the tension associated with stress.