Show number. Chinese massage — also referred to as tui na — is an ancient form of massage used to relieve pain, accelerate recovery from injury, improve blood circulation and energy levels, and support your overall mental and physical wellbeing.
Practitioners believe that health issues can be triggered when energy qi becomes blocked as it travels through interconnecting pathways meridians in your body. Chinese massage stimulates certain acupoints clusters of nerve endings, capillaries and lymphatics on your body to clear any blockages and re-establish balance.
Your practitioner will use their elbows, fingers and hands to administer kneading, twisting, pulling, and pushing massage techniques on specific points on your body. This aims to unblock the flow of your qi and restore balance to your body. A Chinese massage focuses on holistic health, directing massage to very specific acupressure points on your body to target specific problems and boost your wellbeing.
A regular massage, on the other hand, is centred on relaxation and stress relief. Both are carried out with you clothed, however a Thai massage is conducted with you lying or sitting on the floor, and a Chinese massage is carried out with you lying or sitting on a couch or chair.
Rest and drink plenty of water. You should avoid having a hot shower, and expect to need the toilet more than usual as a result of your lymph circulation flushing out toxins. You should consult your practitioner for specific advice on what you should do after a Chinese massage.
