Tui Na for Respiratory and Digestive Disorders

Tui Na for Respiratory and Digestive Disorders

Tui Na (literally means ‘push and grasp’) is an oriental massage (bodywork) therapy. Founded on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, Tui Na’s principles are based on the effective flow of chi energy (ch’i, qi, or ki), blood, and yin/yang through the energy meridians of the body. Tui Na is accompanied with manipulation techniques of acupressure points, energy trigger points, and muscles and joints around the affected area to treat diseases. This relieves pain and allows the body to naturally heal itself. Tui-Na also heals the muscular tension around bony structures thereby reducing the outcome that follows treatments.

TCM theory states that pain and disease occurs when disharmony (yin and yang, and Qi energy stagnates) arises in the body. Tui Na focuses on correcting these imbalances by balancing the flow of Qi (life force) throughout the body. The advantages of Tui Na are lack of side effects or complications, low cost and effectiveness. Tui Na helps the body restore its balance (corrects physiological imbalance), reduces hyper function of internal organs, improves immunity, increases resistance against external pathogens, and promotes blood circulation.

Tui Na focuses on a specific problem rather than a wide spectrum thereby making it an excellent alternative medicine. Qi Gong Tui Na massage uses the internal energy of the practitioner by emitting Qi into specific energy centres in the patient’s body. Nei Gong uses internal Qi development to trigger the patient’s Qi for healing. These tried and tested body therapies in the world are the most effective western-style massage therapies.

Tui Na uses the technique of massaging soft tissues (muscles and tendons) with hands by applying pressure on the pressure points. It is extremely effective in the treatment of chronic stress related disorders of the respiratory (acute rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, cough, common cold, hay fever, bronchial asthma) and digestive (IBS, bloating, hyperacidity, abdominal, epigastria and flank pain, nausea, gastrointestinal reflux disease, ulcers, constipation, gall bladder inflammation, diarrhoea, colitis) system.

Clinical studies have shown that Tui Na Chinese medical massage or the ‘hands-on therapy’ has been extremely effective in treating chronic and critical medical problems. This massage therapy uses finger pressures to stimulate the various points thereby relieving pain and stress. It also invigorates/balances organs systems for healing. This therapy is usually coupled with acupressure, moxibustion, cupping therapy, and traditional herbs.

Manipulation techniques are used to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous system. Palms and fingertips are used to press, tap, and knead the affected area’s surrounding. Tui Na is not a general body massage and should not be used for relaxation, fractures, phlebitis, infections, open wounds, lesions, pregnancy and menstruation.

Scientifically, the gate control theory in neurophysiology was used to describe the analgesic principle of Tui Na. It was found that changes of circulating speed of blood and lymph-vascular fluid before and after Tui Na treatment were helpful in reducing swelling and blood stasis. Tui Na lowered blood pressure and the contents of 5-HT in the blood increased after the therapy. Another therapy of squeezing the spine encouraged the incorporation of the small intestine.

Choose a licensed practitioner for Tui Na massage after consulting a primary health care provider.