What is Tui-Na?
Have you ever seen those wristbands people wear before a longboat or car trip?
Just what is the purpose of those bands?
Those bands stimulate acupuncture points and, in the case of the wristband example, specifically acupoint PC-6. Acupoint PC-6 relieves the symptoms of motion sickness, nausea, and enteritis.
This example serves as an everyday, typical use of Tui-Na by Westerners.
However, more examples exist.
Archeological studies show that Tui-Na has been practiced in China since 3000 BC making it the grandmother of all forms of massage and bodywork existing today.
At its core, Tui-Na is medical manipulation with the hands, somewhat like the modern versions of Western chiropractic and massage therapy. However, many differences exist.
Tui-Na in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)
For example, Tui-Na focuses on the treatment of specific internal diseases diagnosed via TCVM or Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
Without a diagnosis, treatment would be unrewarding at best.
Additionally, these techniques focus on meridians and specific points known to exert physiologic effects i.e., wristband example.
Sometimes, you may hear these specific points referred to as “trigger points” or even the practice termed “trigger point therapy.”
It’s not really one and the same because Tui-Na techniques consider a prior diagnosis, and the massaging techniques vary based on the diagnosis.
However, through pressure and various massaging techniques, these acupoints exert physiologic effects providing relief and comfort.
Tui-Na is one of the fundamental branches of TCVM, along with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and food therapy.
Certified practitioners often teach pet owners several techniques to use at home to enhance the treatment of disease and provide comfort to ailing pets.
Interested in learning how Tui-Na can help your pet?
