Tui Na (twee-nah), or Chinese medical massage, is a traditional Chinese medicine bodywork therapy that uses techniques such as kneading, pressing, stretching, acupressure, and joint mobilization. The name Tui Na translates roughly to “push and grasp,” reflecting two of the fundamental hands-on techniques used in the practice.

Unlike a relaxation-focused massage, Tui Na is a therapeutic form of bodywork used to address specific areas of pain, tension, stiffness, and dysfunction. It is frequently incorporated into acupuncture treatments to release tight muscles, improve mobility, increase circulation, and prepare the tissues for needling.

Uses and Benefits of Tui Na:

1. Pain & Muscle Tension: Tui Na is commonly used for back and neck pain, shoulder tension, joint discomfort, muscle tightness, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Different manual techniques allow treatment to be adapted to the muscles, joints, and soft tissues involved.

2. Mobility & Function: Stretching, joint mobilization, and soft tissue techniques can help address stiffness, restricted movement, and muscular imbalance, making Tui Na particularly useful alongside orthopedic acupuncture.

3. Circulation & Recovery: Tui Na stimulates local circulation and soft tissue movement, helping reduce muscular soreness and support recovery from physical activity, injury, and overuse.

4. Preparing the Body for Acupuncture: Releasing muscular tension before needling allows the practitioner to identify areas of restriction more clearly and access the targeted tissues more comfortably, making Tui Na a valuable part of orthopedic acupuncture treatment.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Beyond orthopedic care, Tui Na can incorporate acupressure points and meridian-based techniques and has traditionally been used for a wide range of concerns, including digestive complaints, headaches, stress, and general wellness.

Tui Na combines particularly well with acupuncture, cupping, Gua Sha, and electroacupuncture to provide a more comprehensive approach to pain, mobility, and musculoskeletal recovery.