The History of Traditional Chinese Massage (Tuina)
An integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, Tuina massage has a long history whose precise origins remain difficult to determine.
An integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, Tuina massage has a long history whose precise origins remain difficult to determine. Threatened with extinction during China's first revolution, the practice survived thanks to the people.
China's history is so vast that it is impossible to describe its origins with complete accuracy. Chinese massages, or Tuina, are no exception to this phenomenon. The practice shares the millennia-old history of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and its earliest traces of existence are found on turtle shells that served for written communication and oracles under the Shang Dynasty (around 1700 BC) before the invention of Chinese characters.
Various sources credit Chinese massage practices with 2,000 to 4,000 years of history. While it is difficult to determine which figure is most accurate, it nonetheless seems evident that Tuina predated other branches of Chinese medicine such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, or dietary therapy. It was only under the Tang Dynasty (618–907) that the practice of massage was integrated and institutionalized within the Imperial Medical Academy through a dedicated section (Imperial Academy of Massage).
The practice was prohibited during the post-imperial period from 1911 to 1949, and many writings and knowledge were lost as a result. However, Tuina endured within the common layers of the population, which allowed it to flourish anew with the advent of Communism in China in 1949. As early as 1950, a two-year training program was established, expanding to five years by 1974.
Today, Chinese Tuina massage is one of the five major branches of traditional Chinese medicine, and practitioners follow university-level training recognized at the same level as other branches of TCM.
Frequently asked questions
Tuina massage is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that uses manual techniques such as pressing, kneading, and stretching to rebalance the body's energy. It is one of the five major branches of TCM, alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and qi gong.
The origins of Tuina massage date back 2,000 to 4,000 years. The earliest traces have been found on turtle shells dating from the Shang Dynasty (around 1700 BC). Tuina is considered one of the oldest practices of traditional Chinese medicine, even predating acupuncture.
Between 1911 and 1949, during China's post-imperial period, the practice of Tuina was officially prohibited and many writings and knowledge were lost. It was thanks to common people who maintained the practice in secret that Tuina survived and was officially rehabilitated from 1949 onward.
Yes, since 1949 and the official rehabilitation of traditional Chinese medicine practices, Tuina is fully integrated into China's medical system. A university-level training program exists and has gradually expanded to five years since 1974. Practitioners now follow training recognized at the same level as other branches of TCM.
Unlike a classical relaxation massage, Tuina massage is a medical therapy that acts on the body's meridians and acupuncture points. It aims to restore the circulation of vital energy (qi) and treat specific health conditions. It requires specialized university-level training in traditional Chinese medicine.
