Types & Methods
Types of Tuina - the different "schools" or approaches
- Rolling: emphasizes soft tissue techniques, specializing in joint injuries and muscle sprains
- One-finger Pushing or Acupressure: emphasizes acupressure for treating internal disharmonies of qi
- Bone Setting: emphasizes manipulation, realigning the musculoskeletal system, specializing in joint injuries and neurological pain; similar in method to what a chiropractor does
- Neigong: emphasizes the use of qigong combined with massage for transferring qi to weak patients
- External Herbal Applications: Chinese herbs are used in combination to enhance the other therapeutic methods. Liniments, oils, ointments / salves, plasters, poultices, washes, and steams can all be used. These may be either ready-made or can be custom made for your particular application.
Types of Techniques or Methods of Tuina
- Pressure: relies on force from the practitioner—either a static pressure, a repeating press and release, or a moving pressure; used to both unblock and harmonize
- Pinching / Plucking: applied to soft tissue / connective tissue, pulling and lifting in order to increase range of motion
- Passive Joint Movement: use of range of motion exercises applied by the practitioner in order to help restore functional anatomy and articulation
- Qi Emission: uses acupuncture points on the patient and the emission of qi by the practitioner while using various pressure techniques
- Oscillating: repetitive movement is used to generate a rhythmic wave pattern that penetrates into and throughout the body; various hand techniques are used, but force / pressure is secondary to the rhythm and repetition
Brian has training in all of these approaches to Tuina and in all of these types of techniques of Tuina. For a PDF file containing a list of the specific techniques within these categories, click here.