Traditional Chinese Massage

Zhi Ya

A type of massage in which finger pressure on specific body sites is used to promote healing, relieve fatigue, etc. Although the anatomical locations are the same as the Acupuncture points used in acupuncture theraphy (hence acu-), no needle or other acupuncture technique is employed in acupressure. Shiatsu is a modern outgrowth that focuses more on prevention than healing.

Tui Na

Tuina (推拏 or 推拿, both pronounced tuīná), is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbalism and qigong.

Tuina uses traction, massage and manipulation in conjunction with the stimulation of acupressure points and is used for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as certain non-musculoskeletal conditions. It is an integral part of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is taught in TCM schools as part of formal training in Oriental medicine. Many East Asian martial arts schools also teach tuina to their advanced students for the treatment and management of injury and pain due to training. As with many other traditional Chinese medical practices, there are several different schools with greater or lesser differences in their approach to the discipline.

In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified into "external" and "internal" treatments. Tuina was one of the external methods, especially suitable for use on the elderly population and on infants. Today it is subdivided into specialized treatment for infants, adults, orthopedics, traumatology, cosmetology, rehabilitation, sports medicine, etc. Tuina has been used extensively in China for over 2,000 years.

Tuina is said by its proponents to have fewer side effects than many modern drug-based and chemical-based treatments. It has been used to treat or complement the treatment of many conditions; musculo-skeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.