What is An Mo Tui Na

 

Tui Na is probably the oldest form of healing in the world. It has its roots in ancient Chinese culture. Some books date the art back to the Yellow Emperor "Huang Ti".

 

The system was originally founded by observing the animals. The Chinese people would watch and then study the animal. They saw that when it had been hurt, it would gently rub itself, just as the primates had an instinct for touching themselves and other animals.

 

Tui Na is the Chinese expression for “Push Grasp” Chinese Massage. There are thirteen basic hand techniques in this system. There are principles of Yin and Yang that apply; law of husband wife, eight principles, noonday/midnight, and five elements.

 

Tui Na is basically a system which uses the diagnostic principles of looking, listening, smelling, asking, and palpating (feeling).

 

The system can balance and adjust the Chi energies as well as manipulate and stimulate soft tissue. Some of the techniques can actually move bone.

In addition to the Tui Na Massage, the Chinese would utilize cupping techniques, moxibustion and herbal preparations.

 

All of these techniques compliment each other and work with each other. For example, moxibustion utilizes a herb called "Mugwort". It is used in loose or stick form.

 

In the loose form, you can make a cone and place it on the acupressure point, lighting it to get the desired result. The result you would be looking for depends on the diagnosis you obtained from the patient.

 

Another option to be used is the "cupping" method. This is a method whereby a cup is placed on the acupressure point which literally "sucks" the stagnated Chi and forces its movement through the meridian.

 

The cup in traditional times was made of bamboo and was shaved down with glass, to adhere tightly to the patient’s skin. In modern times there is a device which uses a small plastic handle which fits over the plastic cup. Cupping should only be performed no more than twice weekly, as it is a very potent technique.

 

 

13 Tui Na Hand Techniques

 

1. Tui - To Push

This technique utilizes the principal of horizontal movement across the body. It is a type of heavy wiping. Tui can use the thumbs, palms, elbows and knuckles. It is used for areas that require a stronger stimulation. There are also the two principles of Big Fish and Little Fish which can be applied with Tui. Big fish is the pressing with the pad of the finger; little fish is the pressing with the tip or sides of the finger.

 

2. Na - To Grasp

Na is the most penetrating method of grasping. Various parts of the hands are used to grasp or squeeze different parts of the body. The degree of pressure and the frequency varies between light and heavy, depending on the area of trauma.

 

3. An - To Press

The pressure here is medium to light and the direction of the movement is usually always down. The method is applied using the rhythm of the breath as a guideline. Pressing is used in each inhale - exhale of the lungs; coordinating the breath.

 

4. Mo - Wiping

This is a lighter, faster and less penetrating technique than Tui. It is used to increase circulation and for moving Chi across large areas of the body. It is used to smooth and calm areas that have just been strongly stimulated by other techniques. In Swedish Massage it is comparable to "feathering".

 

5. Tien - Penetrating Press

This is the deepest and most penetrating method of the pressing techniques. In Western thought this is recognized as deep tissue or Rolfing. Tien is applied with the thumbs, knuckles of the fingers and the elbows keep a watchful eye on your client as this can be a painful technique.

 

6. Mot - Light and Quick Wiping

Of the wiping techniques this is the most soothing. It is a quiet stroking done with the fingers and the flat of the palm. In Swedish massage this is comparable to the effleurage stroke.

 

7. Ts'a - Warm up Wiping

This technique emphasizes short, alternating wipes with medium pressure. The back and forth motion is used to produce heat and improve surface circulation and draw Chi to the surface of the body. It can also be used on bruises and can be used for cramps and areas of poor circulation. This is comparable in Swedish massage as a friction stroke.

 

8. Pok - Varied Slapping

This technique is applied with 1 or 2 hands with repeated and varied pressures slapping the body. Pok is used to relieve congestion in the lungs, improve surface and deep circulation, to stimulate and tonify the nervous system. This technique can be used with the grasping techniques to help colds.

 

9. Tao - Joint Articulation

This technique is used for vertical and horizontal manipulation of the joints. Tao is used when ever the range of motion is impaired in any joint of the extremities of the body. It is useful for sprains, jammed fingers, arthritic inflammation, stiffness and dislocations. It is important when ever using this technique to unlock the "keys" meaning warm up the tissues. Remembering that connective tissue keeps joints in their place.

 

10. Ch'a - Twisting

This is a wiping technique that uses both hands in a twisting pulling motion. It is used only on the arms and the legs. It increases circulation to the extremities, decongests the circulatory system and regulates and balances the arrangement of the muscles and their connective tissue.

 

11. Niem - Light Grasping

Niem is a technique that utilizes two fingers or two knuckles. It is described as a pinching motion that is applied to the skin and surface musculature. Niem increases circulation and stimulates acupressure points along the meridians.

 

12. Chien - Circular

This technique is used with a circular motion of the thumb to stimulate acupressure points and to focus Chi energy into a specific area. The big fish/little fish theory would apply here. This technique is used to put energy in or take energy out.

 

13. Yao - Circular Joint

This movement is used on joint problems. The range of motion is explored and then gently extended. This movement is applied only in a circular motion applied clockwise and counter clockwise. It is often used in Chinese Tui Na for treating vertebral subluxations.