| Tui Na: The Ancient Art of Chinese Medical Massage by Wei Liu Linda had a frozen shoulder for more than eight months, a condition characterized by pain and limited movement in the shoulder joint. She had received two cortisone injections, together with physical therapy, but without relief of pain or improvement in range of motion. Because she doesn't like needles, her acupuncturist referred her to me for Tui Na therapy. On her first visit, she explained that her job as a hair dresser was the source of increasing stress, and she was particularly disturbed about a new symptom that had developed: insomnia. At the end of the first treatment, Linda was so excited to find that there was an immediate improvement in her shoulder's range of motion. I assured Linda that I would focus the Tui Na treatment on both her shoulder and her insomnia, and that I expected both to improve. After a month of therapy, Linda's insomnia was totally gone and the range of motion in the frozen shoulder had improved 80 percent. Linda was so happy, she give me a big hug and told me she really wanted to cut my hair. So, what is Tui Na? Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Tui Na -- meaning push-and-grasp -- is a form of medical massage that plays an important role in the Chinese healing arts. Like acupuncture, this ancient therapy both treats and prevents disease by applying primarily manual methods to remove obstructions in the energy pathways of the body and promoting an increase in the body's vital energy. Tui Na, as practiced in China, encompasses a great breadth of healing work, which in Western medicine would be compartmentalized into the various specialties of orthopedics, chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, sports medicine and energy work. A rich variety of Tui Na techniques work to improve blood circulation, reduce the displacement of joints, enhance joint mobility, heal soft tissue injuries, improve the functions of the internal organs, regulate the nerves and flush cellular tissues. Tui Na has a long history and dates back to ancient times, as early as 2700 B.C. The oldest written medical text, The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic (compiled between 500-300 B.C.), mentions the wide use of various techniques that are now considered Tui Na. Over time, many different applications of Tui Na developed, including self Tui Na for health maintenance, Tui Na for children, and Tui Na with herbal ointments that are specially formulated for individual conditions. In the 6th century, Tui Na spread to Japan, Korea and neighboring countries, where it served as the root for the many forms of Oriental bodywork that later emerged. The actual term Tui Na was not coined until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.). At that time, a number of books on Tui Na were issued, disseminating a wealth of information on the treatment of traumatic injuries and children's diseases. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.), an important medical book, The Golden Mirror of Medicine, was published. A large portion of this work is devoted to Tui Na, especially its use in the treatment of traumatic injuries. The Golden Mirror of Medicine introduced the eight basic methods of Tui Na: palpating (Mo), rejoining (Jie), opposing (Duan ), lifting (Ti), pressing (An), kneading (Mo), pushing (Tui) and holding (Na). These remain the basic principles for treating traumatic injury, particularly to the musculoskeletal system, to the present day. Several thousand years of continuous development has given Tui Na an astonishing variety of hand techniques. Different regions of China specialize in their own technical forms and treatment styles. Most of the Tui Na manipulations of northern China are direct and vigorous, while those in southern China are intricate and gentle. Currently there are 25 colleges of TCM throughout China and most include a Department of Acupuncture and TCM orthopedics, which includes Tui Na therapy. Tui Na in China now includes the art of bone-setting, one-finger mediation, Tui Na for the internal organs and the acupuncture channels, Tui Na incorporated with physical exercises, Tui Na for beauty, Qigong Tui Na, self Tui Na (self treatment with massage), and many more. The indications for Tui Na therapy are quite broad, including most of the diseases covered by internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, sports medicine, etc. One of the oldest holistic health paradigms in the world, TCM teaches a simple style of living based on moderation and attunement to the cycles of nature. Tui Na, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are all based on the doctrines of Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, the Zang-Fu (a uniquely Chinese concept of the function of the internal organs), and the acupuncture channels. TCM diagnosis looks carefully at the totality of the patient's being, including both emotional and physical and spiritual symptoms, as well as the patient's diet, exercise habits, and general lifestyle. After a thorough analysis that includes palpation, observation, as well as verbal interview, the TCM practitioner develops a treatment plan to address the patient's health problems. Modern medical practice in China has become a thoroughly integrated blend of traditional Chinese and modern Western medicine offered side-by-side in hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Of all TCM practices, the ancient therapy of Tui Na blends most easily with the paradigms of modern medicine, because it involves work with anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and biomechanics. This makes it ideally suited for the eclectic environment in the modern Chinese hospital, and it is employed with even greater frequency than in previous centuries. In authentic TCM, acupuncture, Tui Na and herbs are closely connected and always used together. As an important part of TCM, Tui Na in China plays a crucial role in the field of medicine, rehabilitation and health maintenance. While Tui Na is not yet recognized abroad as widely as acupuncture, it will undoubtedly soon come to be appreciated as a powerfully effective, safe and comfortable therapy by people all over the world. Wei Liu, TCMD, is an associate professor and licensed acupuncturist at the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, a college of Northwestern Health Sciences University. Dr. Liu teaches Tui Na and acupuncture, in addition to maintaining a private practice. He can be reached at (952) 888-4777, ext. 333. Copyright © 2002 Wei Liu |
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