Among the five major branches of traditional Chinese medicine are massage techniques called Anmo or Tuina. Both therapy and pleasure, this discipline differs from its Western counterparts through its broader scope: relieving the physical body and freeing the circulation of Qi.

Glossary

Tui 推 : to push Na 拿: to grasp

The word anmo 按摩 means massage in Chinese, while tuina is a massage technique. An important component of traditional medicine, massages logically follow its core philosophical principles. For example, the idea that each patient is a unique "terrain" with their own specific needs is fundamental.

An Energetic Discipline

In its objectives, tuina shares common ground with its Western equivalents: it can offer physical relaxation and an immediate sense of well-being if administered with a minimum of gentleness.

Where it goes further is in the notion of energetic circulation, essential within Chinese philosophical thinking. Chinese massage aims first and foremost to treat acupuncture points (or Xuewei) to eliminate all energetic blockages along the meridians.

Fluid circulation of Qi is the guarantee of good health according to Chinese medicine. Like acupuncture with needles, tuina aims at releasing energetic blockages.

A Partnership

The relationship between the giver and receiver of the massage is essential: the practitioner must establish a relevant treatment protocol based on their observation of the patient. Then, when administering the therapy, their mind must be focused as much on their own sensations as on those of the receiver. Taking the example of full body massage (shenti anmo), the patient wears comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. The masseur must succeed in feeling both the patient's Qi and their own, and establish an exchange that will benefit both parties.

Thus, if the masseur manages to create a "harmonious" state with their patient (the latter must do their best to relax mentally), the massage becomes all the more effective: the giver senses the receiver's needs, while the latter no longer resists the pressures and manipulations on their body.

Conversely, if the practitioner fails to clearly focus their attention on their patient's sensations, and the patient cannot "accept" the treatment, the result is complete ineffectiveness (unconscious tension from the receiver, lack of sensitivity from the giver...).

Techniques of Chinese Massage

There are more than 300 techniques, and the practitioner may use their fingers, palms, wrists, forearms or elbows, but also knees, feet or even the head.

Movements may consist of pressure on precise acupuncture points, friction, light tapping, compression or even manipulations to realign the patient's structure or simply achieve the stretching of a muscle chain.

There are different types of massages such as full body massage (shenti anmo), the popular foot massage (rudao), and many others such as abdominal massage and essential oil massage.

All parts of the body have their applications. Shenti anmo applies from the ankles to the scalp, while rudao is not limited to the feet alone (treatment can extend up to the knees).

A tuina session can last from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. This depends on the treatment and the area involved: full body massage may last an hour, while rudao can extend to an hour and a half because there is extensive preparation (including a foot bath).

Therapeutic Applications of Tuina

The energetic aspect and the different types of manipulation it employs differentiate Chinese massage from Western massage. Like the latter, it can be a method of well-being and comfort.

However, its true purpose is therapeutic, and its field of action is above all energetic—a notion central to traditional Chinese medical thinking. On the muscular level, tuina massage should promote relaxation and release where tension exists.

On the energetic level, various blockages must be eliminated to allow smooth circulation of vital energy (or Qi). If the latter circulates poorly, illness sets in; conversely, the immune system functions at full capacity.

In combination with other therapies (acupuncture, dietary therapy, physical activity...), and practiced regularly, Chinese massage can effectively treat problems such as constipation, migraines, nervousness, tendinitis, joint pain, and muscular fatigue...

But more than a means of treating illness, tuina is above all a preventive method to maintain the patient in good condition. It is a little-known part of traditional Chinese medicine since no Western studies currently exist to provide more knowledge about its effectiveness. The majority of clinical trials have been published in Chinese.

However, Chinese practitioners undergo rigorous university training where theoretical content (particularly knowledge of meridians and acupuncture points) is very substantial, even though most practical skills are acquired through practice.