Tui Na

Tui Na works to stimulate the body’s own healing powers and leave people with a deep sense of physical and mental relaxation, revitalisation and well-being. This vigorous treatment is particularly effective for treating – Pain (musculo-skeletal conditions); Stress (headaches, depression, insomnia, low energy); Digestion (diarrhoea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome).

What is Tui Na?

Tui Na (pronounced twee-na) is the Chinese system of therapeutic massage and manipulation. It is a powerful and deeply effective therapy. The Chinese words “Tui” – to push and “Na” – to grasp, suggest its robust means of achieving results.

It is quite different from other forms of massage, using finger pressure, rolling, plucking, squeezing, stretching and leverage to stimulate energy channels and acupuncture points. By using a wide variety of techniques, soft or hard, superficial or deep, general or precise, slow or fast, a Tui Na practitioner can balance the body’s energy, regulate internal organs and facilitate the body and mind to function at optimum.

The aim of a Tui Na therapist is to apply manual pressure to the meridians, specific points along them, pain sites, muscles and joints, to activate a free flowing and balanced movement of Qi. When this is achieved, not only does your body no longer feel aches and pains, but mental and emotional states are heightened, giving you a deeper sense of relaxation and confidence. Tui Na is a sophisticated system that remains as popular today as it has ever been, with every Chinese hospital housing a Tui Na department. This popularity in mainstream China for the control of chronic pain and general health needs, is sure testimony to its efficiency.

The therapy

Tui Na is carried out on the clothed body with the recipient seated on a chair or lying on a massage couch. Massage and manipulation work with movable joints and on soft tissues. Pressure applied with movement tonifies and disperses the flow of Qi through the meridian channels. Stimulation of specific Qi points with variation of direction and force further regulates energies and the healing process. An expert practitioner will have an understanding of which points need to be worked in order to achieve maximum benefit.

The therapy is applied in a continuous and rhythmical manner. Covering the specific area of treatment and work on distant points if a condition requires it. As well as dealing with a particular problem, Tui Na has manifold therapeutic benefits for the whole system. It stimulates blood circulation and energy throughout the whole body, activates and drains the lymph, eliminates stagnation and toxic residues from the organs, tones the muscles, tendons and ligament, and enhances nerve function.

Tui Na is much more task specific than other forms of bodywork. Working to activate and enliven the body. Therefore it is not especially useful for those seeking a gentle massage. However, many people do enjoy a generalised back, shoulder, neck and head massage for effective stress relief and relaxation. Tui Na is certain to improve both mental and physical vitality. Bringing a persons awareness back to their own body and what is going on in it. An essential first step to any healing process.

Peter Packard

Peter Packard practices and teaches Traditional Thai Massage in the UK and Thailand. Initially he was trained in Northern Thailand at The Old Medicine Hospital, Chiang Mai. Return trips to Thailand with study under both Thai and Western Masters have continued and consolidated his understanding of this art. Developing his knowledge of the body he studied Chinese Medicine at Bodyharmonics in Cheltenham and in Beijing, China. This has led to becoming a qualified Tui Na practitioner and Acupuncturist.

Before moving to Cheltenham Peter worked with ‘The Pure Medicine Group’ in Harley Street, London. He has been in full time practice since 2001.