Chinese massage nurtures your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The primary focus of Chinese massage is to bring about wellbeing by enhancing the flow of qi (vital energy). Chinese Massage Therapy includes five parts: Amino, Tuina, Infant Tui Na, Dian Xue, Wai Qi Liao Fa. The different techniques of Chinese massage therapy 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.
- VibrationRapid vibration, shaking and rocking a selected region is done to resume qi movement, get rid of stagnation and enhance gastro-intestinal functioning.
The underlying principle of Chinese Massage Therapy:
The 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
1. activating qi and blood (for raising its activity)
2. regulating qi and blood (for overcoming stagnation and guiding flow)
3. 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 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:
1. activating qi and blood (for raising its activity)
2. regulating qi and blood (for overcoming stagnation and guiding flow)
3. 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.
What to Expect at a Chinese Massage?
Clients usually receive Chinese massage sitting on a couch or a stool. They may be lightly clothed or partially uncovered. Chinese massage is a very effective treatment for pain and for balancing the body, mind, and spirit.
