Tuina

Tuina is one of the four pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine, alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine and qi gong. The name translates roughly to "push and pull," a fair description of the hands-on work involved — this isn't a relaxation massage, it's a diagnostic and therapeutic technique aimed at correcting the pattern behind your complaint.

TCM sees pain and dysfunction as a sign that qi and blood aren't flowing properly through a region of the body. Tuina works to clear that blockage directly, using firm, targeted manipulation rather than passive stretching.

Your practitioner combines gentler, sustained pressure with firmer, more active techniques — rolling, kneading, pressing and one-finger work — chosen based on how your tissue responds. Oil is often used to help the hands move smoothly over the treatment area.

You'll stay clothed for most tuina work. Your practitioner assesses the affected area first, then works through a combination of gentle, sustained techniques and firmer, active ones depending on what your tissue needs.