Pinch away the pain with tui na
Yin and yang: Tui Na practitioner Paraic Greenan
For those who prefer a feather-light touch when it comes to massage, this week's therapy could be the one for you.
An integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, Tui Na is a form of therapeutic massage that manipulates specific points on the energy pathways of the body to encourage the harmonious flow of energy and thus enables the re-establishment of balance throughout.
These energy pathways or meridians were discovered 5,000 years ago and form the basis of acupuncture.
Tui Na is used extensively in hospitals throughout China today, as it has been for the past 2,000 years. It is also practiced on street corners and in parks by the blind who are particularly sensitive to what is going on in a person's body.
In practice, the method is most often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion (focused heat), Chinese herbalism, exercise and nutrition to treat the whole body, mind and spirit.
Based in Dublin's Malahide, Paraic Greenan explains what makes Tui Na different to other alternative therapies.
"Tui Na massage is a medicinal massage rather than a relaxing or recreational one aimed at releasing knotted muscles," he says.
"It operates on the principle on which traditional Chinese medicine is based, of achieving a balance between yin and yang. For example, if a person is insufficient in yin they could suffer from headaches or a stiff neck and shoulders, whereas if they are lacking in yang they could be lethargic, cold and suffer from a sluggish digestive system, symptoms often suffered by people in nursing homes.
"Through manipulating specific points on the body's meridian system, blocked energy can be freed up allowing balance to be restored."
A fan of the Eastern attitude to health and having enjoyed being a body for my brother Sean to practice on while he was training in acupuncture, I willingly offer myself to Paraic.
We begin with a thorough consultation covering sleep, eating and mental behavioral patterns as well as any accident or injury history.
He deduces where the imbalances are in my system and for 30 minutes, I resemble a pin-cushion. Then comes the Tui Na part.
"Although Tui Na is offered as a full-body massage, it is more often used as an adjunct to acupuncture to enhance the effect of the needles and really gets into problem areas and releases pain by removing blockages.
"It's particularly useful for treating both acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems and has the advantage of being able to be done while the client is fully clothed in general."
The translation of the words Tui Na gives an indication of what you're in for if you opt for this massage. Depending on what you read, they mean "push-grasp" or "poke-pinch". Either way, you get the picture. It's a soft-tissue massage that feels like a pick 'n' mix counter of techniques from pressing, tapping, rolling, rubbing, pushing, shaking or kneading with palms, fingertips or knuckles and elbows.
Although my shoulder is in good nick considering I dislocated and smashed it in an accident, there are moments when it aches and clicks. Tui Na isn't afraid to get in there. Although the techniques form the basis of many different massage therapies out there, it feels different -- more specific.
Afterwards the area feels warmer, loosened up and the clicking has abated. It should probably be pointed out that this therapy was done before I became pregnant, which is just as well considering induction points reside in the shoulder. The end result could have been very different in other circumstances.
Michael, 47, from Clontarf, had suffered from back problems for years due to a job involving the lifting of heavy weights.
"My lower back bothered me continuously -- I guess I kept pulling some muscles there over and over again," he says.
"Physio sessions didn't alleviate it and then I went to acupuncture and Tui Na. There was a huge improvement after the first session. I went for four sessions in all and haven't needed to go in the year since."
Verdict: More than a deep massage, Tui Na with its variety of unusual, often vigorous techniques, leaves me feeling thoroughly shaken awake, as a dip in the sea might.
Whether it's my blood or energy flowing freely, I don't know but the achey pain lessens too.
A session with Paraic Greenan costs €50. To book an appointment call 087 905 2160
- Niamh Hooper
