The word massage is believed to
come from the root word “massa” (found in the French, Arabic, Latin and Greek
languages) meaning "friction or kneading, to touch, feel or handle". Archaeological
evidence of massage has been found in many ancient civilizations including China,
India, Japan, Korea, Egypt, Rome, Greece, and Mesopotamia. There are many
different types of massage: Acupressure, Shiatsu, Balinese, Cranial-sacral,
Lymphatic drainage, Reflexology, Stone massage, Tuina, etc and many different methods of
practicing these types of massage.
Tuina is a form of Chinese
manipulative therapy practiced by ACNWellness massage therapists and often used
in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion (a dried root used to warm the body), fire
cupping (a local suction is created on the skin using heat and a small cup), Chinese
herbalism, t'ai chi (an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense
training and its health benefits), and qigong (a practice of aligning body, breath, and mind
for health, meditation, and martial arts training). Tuina is a hands-on body
treatment that uses Chinese taoist and martial arts principles in an effort to bring
the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into balance. The
practitioner may brush, knead, roll/press, and rub the areas between each of the joints, known
as the eight gates, to attempt to open the body's defensive chi and get the energy
moving in the meridians and the muscles. Techniques may be gentle or quite firm. The
name comes from two of the actions: tui means "to push" and na means "to
lift and squeeze." Other strokes include shaking and tapotement (to tap with the fingers in a
thrumming motion). The practitioner can then use range of motion, traction, with the
stimulation of acupressure points. These techniques are used to aid in the treatment of both
acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions.
In professional settings, massage
involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a
massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage subject may be fully or partially
clothed or unclothed. Sessions may last 30 minutes up to 90 minutes and are performed by a
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT). Be sure that your LMT is licensed and insured, that
the facility providing the massages is also licensed by the state (we are), the massages
are overseen by a physician, you are comfortable with the therapist you are working with,
and your LMT is current in continuing education (CE) credits.
