TUI-NA
History Of Tui-Na
Tui-na is a traditional Chinese manual therapy. The term Tui-na (pronounced “twee naw“), which means “push and pull/lift/pinch”, refers to a wide range of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic massage and bodywork techniques. It has been used for over 3000 years. Tui-na is one of the five branches of TCM which also include acupuncture, food therapy and herbal medicine.
Tui-na is not generally used for pleasure and relaxation, but rather as a treatment to address specific patterns of disharmony. As such, practitioners use it for many of the same reasons and according to the same principles as acupuncture.
The roots of Tui-na were developed long before acupuncture, using manual stimulation of affected areas to bring about pain relief. Primitive man instinctively knew that by rubbing painful areas on the body, the discomfort would be lessened. Currently, it’s still well used for humans and pets all over the world as an effective physical therapy.
The Main Functions
From a conventional medicine perspective, Tui-na can be thought of as corresponding to a combination of acupressure, conventional massage and chiropractic techniques.
Tui-na is most often used to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, but it is also useful as a preventative medicine therapy because it promotes balance in the body. It can be used in conjunction with and to enhance acupuncture and herbal treatments.
Veterinary Indications of Tui-Na
Tui-na can be thought of as “the ancient Chinese art of patting your pet”. Our vet will give you some Tui-na techniques to use at home. Tui-na enhances the animal-human bond as you spend some quality time with your pet daily.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Those conditions that are amenable to treatment with Tui-na include generalised muscle pain, back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, sore feet, muscle sprains/strains, tendonitis, and mild ligament injuries.
Internal Medicine Disorders
Internal medicine conditions that respond well to Tui-na treatment include anorexia, non-infectious diarrhoea, reduced gastrointestinal motility (constipation), dysuria, generalised weakness, headaches, hemiplegia, peripheral nerve and facial paralysis, seizures, cough, asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, disorders of pregnancy and parturition, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, sleep disorders, and generalised stress.
Geriatric Conditions
Geriatric conditions that may be gently treated with Tui-na with few negative side effects include general weakness, stiffness, osteoarthritis, spinal conditions (such as spondylosis or intervertebral disc disease), sleeping disorders, and various neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Paediatric Conditions
Paediatric conditions that may be treated with good success include viral infections, cough, fever, diarrhoea, infantile malnutrition, torticollis, infantile paralysis, and tendon contracture.
Disease Prevention
Many Tui-na experts believe that disease prevention may be one important function of Tui-na manipulation.
Performance Enhancement
Performance enhancement has been demonstrated in human athletes treated with Tui-na and is believed to be true for canine and equine athletes as well.
Conditions Benefitting from Tui-Na
Joint pain (e.g. hips, stifles, shoulders, elbows)
Back / neck pain
Foot / ankle pain
Paralysis
Nerve pain
Muscle spasms / tension
Trigger points
Muscle, tendon, ligament and other skeletal conditions
Aging issues such as arthritis, loss of vitality, weakness and joint stiffness
Respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and immune system disorders
It can also enhance mental focus, sensory acuity and help create a general sense of well-being.
No Known Side Effects of Tui-Na
Small animals, large animals, and exotic species all respond well to Tui-na, and it can be administered on animals that will not allow the insertion of acupuncture needles. It is safe and effective with no known side effects.
Contraindications and Cautions of Tui-Na
If the animal is frail: Very old and/or very weak animals may become depleted or weakened by therapeutic manipulation if too vigorous or of a prolonged duration.
Acute fracture sites may be too painful for any form of manipulation in a conscious patient.
During pregnancy: Pregnancy may be interrupted or prematurely terminated if abdominal acupuncture points are stimulated too vigorously.
If the animal has an infectious disease: Infectious and epidemic diseases should be treated with consideration of transmission potential.
Immediately after a large meal: Immediately after food intake, the bowel should be allowed to have blood shunted for digestion and absorption. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes after a meal before any form of Tui-na.
When undiagnosed masses are present: Masses of unknown origin should be investigated for infectious or neoplastic aetiologies and avoided if either is determined. Areas away from masses can be treated.
On or around skin eruptions or bleeding: Serious dermatitis or injured skin may be irritated by many Tui-na techniques.
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