How is tui na different from regular massage?
Regular massage is mostly about relaxation. In tui na I work from the Chinese medicine diagnosis, with pressing, rolling, stretching and joint movement, along the channels and on specific points.
Tui na can be combined with acupuncture or cupping in the same session, depending on what your body needs.
What is tui na good for?
- Back, neck and shoulder pain.
- Muscles that are tight from long hours of sitting or from overuse.
- A joint that's hard to move fully.
- Tension in the head and neck, as part of treatment for sleep and stress.
How does it feel?
The touch is deeper than in a regular massage, but it shouldn't hurt. I adjust the pressure to what feels comfortable for you. You may feel some mild tenderness in the area for a day or two afterwards.
What does the research say?
An analysis of 15 controlled trials with 1,390 patients, published in 2023, found that tui na reduced chronic low back pain and improved function compared with control groups. No serious side effects were reported, though only six of the studies reported side effects at all. The quality of the evidence was rated low, so the researchers advise reading the results with caution.
Source: Yang et al., Efficacy and safety of Tuina for chronic nonspecific low back pain, Medicine, 2023.
When shouldn't you have tui na?
Tui na doesn't replace a medical check-up. It isn't done on an area with a fracture, a fresh injury, an infection or broken skin. Tell me beforehand if:
- You have osteoporosis.
- You take blood thinners.
- You're pregnant.
- You have a herniated disc or have had spinal surgery.
Questions
Does tui na hurt?
It shouldn't. The touch is deep, and I adjust the pressure to what feels comfortable for you.
Do I need to undress?
Not necessarily. I can work with you in comfortable clothes, and if an area needs to be uncovered we'll agree on it together.
Can I combine tui na with acupuncture?
Yes, they can be combined in the same session.
Want to see if this is right for you?
Send me a few words on WhatsApp about what brings you in, and I'll get back to you to find a time that works. Sessions can be in English or Hebrew.