Tui-Na
- Chinese Medical Massage
I am a strong believer that martial arts and healing go hand in hand.
Ideally the skill to do damage should be balanced with the knowledge
to heal. As time passed me by on my path in the martial arts the more
I read stories of great masters, the more I learned that they were also
great healers. It was at this point I began the stude of my now life
long love of Chinese Medicine. I first started my study with Tui –
Na. So it only seems fit that this month I introduce you to Tui-Na and
some of the concepts of treatment within TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
Tui-Na is a complete system of healing that uses massage and manipulation
to harmonise the body and mind. The traditional Chinese therapy uses
the same classical medical theory as Acupuncture.
Tui-Na, which means to ‘push’ and ‘grasp’, has been
practiced and developed for over 4000 years. It works to balance the
flow of Qi throughout the body, which affects the body, mind and spirit.
Let’s look at some of the concepts and principles of TCM.Tui-Na
Helping
to create Equilibrium
Traditional Chinese Medicine can be likened to a beautiful woven
rug. Each strand is like the different aspects of TCM – Acupuncture,
Herbal Medicine, Qi – Gong and Tui-Na. Apart, each strand has its
own quality, together, they form a wonderful integrated picture. Each
can be used in many different ways and form many pictures.
TCM, in general, is now quite well known and respected. More people
now practice Qi Gong and many have had Acupuncture or Herbal Treatment,
but what about Tui-Na? How does it fit into the picture of TCM?
To understand this, we must first understand the wholeness of treatment.
In the beginning we have the void.
The Tao is like the well, used but never used up. It is like an internal
void, filled with infinite possibilities.
The Tao (way) is everywhere but is nowhere. The Tao is everything,
but nothing, this is the nature of the Tao.
From the void (Wu) came the supreme ultimate and from there came Yin
and Yang, from the dynamic tension generated by Yin and Yang, Qi is
born. Creation is the result of this interaction and Five Element doctrine
is the method used to understand this fine balance.
Qi can be translated as ‘energy/air/breath/vital energy/essence’
but this does not really convey the full meaning of Qi. Qi can be appreciated
on many levels, having physical and spiritual aspects. There are different
types of Qi – Original Qi, Food Qi and clear Qi and also functions
and pathologies of Qi. Blood is also strongly linked to Qi, as blood
is formed from Food Qi and essence (Jing).
The spiritual aspect of Qi, the life-force within us affecting emotional
and mental well being, is beautifully shown by the great poet Po Chu
Yi when in a meditative state;
As I close my eyes to meditate.
Vibrant Chi from within radiates.
Tingling feelings of joy arise.
Like crawling insects in gentle surprise.
This sensation permeates into every cell.
From the centre the void begins to swell.
Forgetting my self and becoming formless.
My mind and cosmos dissolve into nothingness.
Po Chu Yi
The three treasure:
Jing (Essence)
Qi (Vital Energy)
Shen (Mind and Spirit)
These are essential parts of each person, including Qi, blood and body
fluid.
TCM is all about the balance and the interplay of Qi, Yin and Yang.
All these things are Yin and Yang. A dynamic balance constantly fluctuating
between two opposites. Yin:female, negative, dark and softness. Yang:
Male, positive, light and hardness. Nothing being completely Yin or
Yang. All things contain the two; every organism depends on their correct
equalibrium.
The five elements (five phases) are seen as being the properties found
in all things. Taking into account the effects of the environment upon
us and our physical and emotional changes, all the natural processes
of the universe.
The Meridians are the pathways of Qi in the body. When healthy, Qi will
smoothly flow around the body. These theoretical systems, including
the Eight Principles and Zang Fuare are all taken into account when
considering a treatment. These I will cover in future articles.
Looking at the philosophy of TCM you can how not one, but many parts
make a whole. This is the same with the methods of the treatment used.
The Chinese, over the past four and a half thousand years, have developed
many different ways to heal. But why and how have they come about?
Massage is likely to have been the first system of medicine. It’s
so natural to rub your temples when you have a headache (Tai Yang and
Yin Tang points) or to knead and squeeze your neck and shoulders when
you are tense (GB20 and GB21 points). Tui-Na (push and grasp) is the
result and has become a very powerful therapy.
China is a vast country and has many different landscapes and climates.
Therefore, as a result, people from different environments develop different
problems, which require different types of treatment. People exposed
to the six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summer – heat, Damp, Dryness and
Fire) at different levels need treatments that could meet their needs.
All aspects of TCM can treat a wide amount of internal and external
problems, but they all have areas in which they have strengths.
Herbal Medicine/Diet Therapy: good for serious internal problems,
hot, cold and strengthening blood and Qi. As Acupuncture simulates Qi
points of the Meridians, herbs are thought to enter the Meridians and
help strengthen or claim Qi flow.
Acupuncture/Moxabustion/Cupping: excels in pain relief, helping to harmonise
Qi and strengthen the internal organs.
Qi Gong (working with Qi) Meditation: the method used for self
help. To strengthen your own Qi and keep your joints mobile, supple
and flexible. Qi Gong helps move Qi through the Meridians, clearing
blocked or excess Qi. Qi Gong, being movement (Yang) and meditation
being stillness (Yin) together promote longevity and health.
‘If you want to soar to the heights and reach the depths of
Gung Fu, you must practive Qi gong: if you soar to heights and reach
the depths of Qi gong, you must practice meditation.’
Ho Fatt Nam.
So we can see again that TCM’s philosophy interacts
Tui-Na: the main strength in the treatment is for chronic muscular
skeletal pain and disorders, using soft tissue massage and manipulation
techniques. Massaging the Meridians and stimulating specific Qi points,
Tui-Na uses the same classical medical theory in its treatments as Acupuncture
and therefore can be used to treat many of the same conditions. Often
they are used together. Tui-Na has some unique properties, which are
very much needed in today’s modern environment. What I am referring
to is Western living. A large number of people work in offices and on
computers, many spending a large part of their days sitting in the same
position. This can lead to muscular and joint problems, which can cause
stress, headaches, tiredness, sore eyes and so on. If such problems
are left untreated they can manifest and become more serious. Most people
therefore exercise in order to stay fit as they know they are spending
large parts of the day sitting. This does help, as exercise is Tui-Na
working holistically to prevent Qi imbalances, which can lead to physical
and emotional problems. Also, if a problem does arise, such as a sport
injury, then Tui-Na is an effective method of treatment. As Tui-Na unblocks
Qi in the body, this means it is also very successful in the treatment
of chronic long-term pain. It has often relieved pain for people who
have been told "You just have to live with it!" which is another
way of saying "I don’t know what to do." After Tui-Na
treatment, the patient will often experience the feeling of being rejuvenated
as their energy levels have been increased.
Another benefit is that it can be performed on a clothed body and be
used just about anywhere required. You do not need to be carrying needles,
as there are various herbs around. Help is literally at hand.
So it can be seen as a combined system, TCM can be used and more importantly
can prevent many of the problems seen today.
The void is often represented as circle, as one journey ends, a new
one begins. As TCM is steeped in Taoist and Bhuddist philosophy, this
concept is fully understood and adhered to by thee therapists, so we
can see how a part of TCM are all parts of one circle.
Some will say "I have a headache, which is the best method to use?"
To such a question, I answer. "There is no best method, only the
ones that suit you." Additionally, this does not mean you will
always require the same method. Sometimes it may be one, sometimes it
may be another. This brings us back to the Tao (way) and Yin and Yang,
there is no absolute. We know that many different environments have
a role to play in the development of TCM but you can say it is human
nature to find different ways to deal with different problems in all
areas of life. Martial arts in China have not a few different systems
but thousands and it’s the same with Qi Gong (working with Qi).
Why? I answer "Why not?". If you have a river with a thousand
stepping stones, we may all use different stones to cross it, but we
will have all have crossed the river. Who uses the right way? There
is no right or wrong way. And this is the way (Tao). This also applies
to martial arts at the higher level.
This does not mean in TCM you can just do whatever you feel like. It
refers to the skilled therapist using the techniques in a correct manner,
but in accordance to the needs of the patient; this will depend on what
treatment is required.
What I have tried to reveal to you is not an in-depth view to TCM but
rather an appreciation for its wholeness and also the role of Tui-Na.
Alan Orr is a disciple of Robert Chu Sifu and the European representative
of the Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun system.
He is also the UK representative for Guro Mark Wiley in the Filipino
martial arts and Sensei Eddy Millis of Shark Tank in NHB/Grappling.
Web: www.alanorr.com
For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or
email: info@alanorr.co.uk
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