Tuina (pronounced "twee-nah") is Chinese medical massage — and it's quite different from the relaxation massage you might know from a spa. It's a diagnostic and therapeutic system developed over 2,000 years to treat pain, musculoskeletal conditions, and internal disease. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Tuina?
Tuina uses pressing, kneading, rolling, and stretching techniques on the muscles, fascia, and acupuncture channels. Unlike Western massage, which works primarily on muscle relaxation, Tuina targets acupuncture points and meridians to move qi and blood, release blockages, and address specific health conditions.
Techniques range from gentle to quite vigorous. A skilled Tuina practitioner adjusts pressure and method to your specific condition and constitution — what's right for a young athlete's sports injury is very different from what's appropriate for a 70-year-old with arthritis.
What Tuina Treats
Tuina is most effective for neck and shoulder pain, back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, and TMJ disorder. It's also used for pediatric conditions — gentle Tuina on children for colic, respiratory infections, and digestive issues has an excellent safety record.
In China, Tuina practitioners complete the same level of medical training as acupuncturists. It's considered a primary medical treatment, not a luxury.
How I Use Tuina in Treatment
I commonly combine Tuina with acupuncture in a single session. Acupuncture creates the overall shift in qi; Tuina works the specific structures that are painful or tight. For back pain especially, this combination produces faster and more lasting results than either technique alone.
A typical Tuina segment lasts 15 to 20 minutes within a full treatment. For patients who prefer not to receive acupuncture, a full 60-minute Tuina session is also an option.
What It Feels Like
Tuina is more active and communicative than Swedish massage. I'll ask you what you feel during treatment, and adjust pressure and technique based on your feedback. You may feel a pleasant aching sensation — the same "de qi" sensation as acupuncture — when a blocked point releases. Most patients feel significant pain relief and increased mobility immediately after.
Ready to experience acupuncture in Portland?
Amy Chitwood Burslem is a licensed acupuncturist at Calm Acupuncture in SW Portland. She offers a free initial phone consultation.
Schedule a consultationFrequently Asked Questions
Is Tuina painful?
It can be intense in areas of tension or adhesion, but it should never feel like damage. I always work within your comfort level and adjust pressure based on your feedback.
How is Tuina different from deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage works primarily on muscles. Tuina targets acupuncture channels and points, and also addresses qi flow. The clinical goals are different — Tuina is treating a condition, not providing relaxation.
Can I get Tuina without acupuncture?
Yes. While they work wonderfully together, Tuina is a complete therapeutic system on its own. Let me know if you prefer a Tuina-focused session.