推 拿
Tuī Ná (pronounced “twee na”) is an ancient healing art and a very important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) alongside Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Prescriptions, Medical Qì Gōng, etc.
The term "Tui Na" is composed of 2 different parts: 'Tui' (to push) and 'Na' (to hold)
and it is sometimes seen spelt as 'tuina'. Tuina is also commonly
referred to as "acupressure".
Tuina was called "An Mo" (按 摩) or simply "massage" in ancient times. The term Tui Na was first seen during the Ming Dynasty. This therapeutic approach guided by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was first used to treat paediatric disease through massage manipulations.
The Tui Na practitioner uses the hands to
press on key points on the surface of the body (along the Jīng Luò –
acupuncture channels – and acupuncture points) to stimulate the body’s
own natural healing process. This is why tuina massage is sometimes
reffered to as "acupressure". When these points are stimulated they
release tension and increase the body’s circulation of Qì, Xuè (blood)
and nutrients to bring about the body’s own natural healing process.
As with all other aspects of TCM, the aim
of Tui Na is to restore the natural flow of Qì throughout the Jīng Luò
and the body thus restoring the internal balance, helping the person to
return to full health. Today, Tui Na has become very advanced in its
treatment for many diseases and it is used in many of the hospitals in
China in the front line of healthcare, where here in the west these
complaints are not seen in the TCM clinics until they become chronic
many days after the incident.
Tui Na is a medical treatment and as with
all TCM treatments (i.e. acupuncture, herbal medicine, etc.) a full
diagnosis will be done prior to the treatment itself.
Here's a clip from the Tuina Department of the Wang Jing Hospital in Beijing
