Tuina (Tui Na)
This is a form of Chinese massage that has been in practice for over 2000 years. Tuina is similar to acupuncture in that it works with Qui (chi) energy, however it is a technique using hands, not needles, in massage and manipulation.
The goal is to remove blockages in a client's flow of Qui through the body's meridians. This holistic therapy recognizes the body as a whole unit of spirit and physical form, and seeks to achieve balance, so the client can better release negative energy and promote natural healing on all levels.
The practitioner realigns the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships and will often use herbal poultices, compresses and salves to enhance the therapeutic results. A typical visit has the client relax on a massage table in loose clothing. The practitioner listens carefully to the client's primary concerns, and focuses the half-hour to one-hour session to begin resolving those concerns using Tuina. The client usually leaves the session feeling both relaxed and energized.