Chinese Massage Therapy

The techniques, principles and benefits of Chinese Massage Therapy.

Chinese Massage Therapy, also called as Tui Na, is a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This is a complete healing system like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. It includes five parts:

• Amno, press and rub : used for rejuvenation and health maintenance
• Tuina, push and grasp : used for treating injuries, joint and muscle problems and internal disorders
• Infant Tuina : used for babies and young children
• Dian Xue, point press : use of methods similar to Acupressure
• Wai Qi Liao Fa, curing with external qi (energy) : healing with direct transmission by qigong masters who have undergone several years of rigorous training and discipline

The concept is that massage affects the physical body with the network of energy called Qi body and the mental body i.e. thoughts, emotions and spiritual senses. It is aimed to activate and regulate the network of energy and enhance relaxation that raises the flexibility, eases spasms and straightens the joints. It is assumed that the dearth of free flow of Qi and blood gives rise to pain. The massage causes movement and is a good solution for pain relief. It is generally done on a couch or a stool.

Techniques of Chinese Massage
The different techniques are compression, swing, friction, vibration, percussion, pinching and grasping and joint manipulation.

Compression
Pressure is applied by the fingers, limbs and palms to execute motions like nipping, pressing, stepping and twisting. This results in relief of muscular stiffness, removal of blockages and promotion of circulation.

Friction
Rubbing, pushing, gliding and wiping is carried out to create heat on the body surface and improve the underneath circulation. Rhythmic small circular movements are used for abdominal problems and gross scrubbing motions are used for the chest, limbs and back.

Swing
Finger-pushing, kneading and rolling is done. "Pushing with one finger meditation" is a usual technique in TCM massage.

Joint manipulation
Rotation, pulling, abducing and adducting actions assists in increasing the range of joint motion and flexibility of the limbs and spine.

Percussion
Finger tapping is used on the head, abdomen and chest regions, fist striking is used for the back and palm patting for the waist, hip and limbs.

Pinching and grasping
Rhythmic picking up and squeezing of the soft tissues is done by twisting, holding, kneading and pinching with the operator's fingers. If the shoulder is grasped, this enables to resume the flow of qi in the chest.

Vibration
Rapid vibration, shaking and rocking a selected region is done to resume qi movement, get rid of stagnation and enhance gastro-intestinal functioning.

Principles of massage therapy
The underlying principle of Chinese Massage Therapy is called jing luo or channels and collaterals. As per this, the body has a network of pathways that transport qi and blood that regulate yin and yang so that the external pathogens are avoided and the internal organs are linked with the exterior. If the jing luo is blocked, this causes pain and gives rise to many health problems. So, the massage techniques are intended to affect the jing luo by:

• activating qi and blood (for raising its activity)
• regulating qi and blood (for overcoming stagnation and guiding flow)
• dredging the channels (to get rid of external pathogens like cold and damp)

Jin means the work of all soft and connective tissues for movement and flexibility. The massage also relaxes this jin. It is observed that both jin and joints have an effect on the flow of qi in the jing luo.

The aim of Anmo massage is to provide a balanced full body treatment. One session can continue upto two hours. Yang techniques are employed to expel the stagnant qi and activate flow. The Yin techniques are used to calm and relax. During the session, in case there is a strong communication of qi, it results in a very deep experience. Tuina massage is used to overcome any complaint and the underlying pattern.

Benefits

• an improvement in the emotional problems
• headaches, IBS, migraines, constipation, PMS are overcome
• neck, shoulder and back pain are improved
• immobility, sciatica and tennis elbow can be effected
• chronic pain resulting from muscle-skeletal conditions and injuries can be treated