Tuina massage: the manual technique of Chinese medicine
Updated: 1 day ago
Tuina is one of the five branches of traditional Chinese medicine, alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietetics and Qi Gong. It is not a relaxation massage: it is a manual therapeutic technique, practised for over two thousand years, working on the same meridians and points as acupuncture but with the hands instead of needles.
Tuina versus a relaxation massage
A wellness massage aims at relaxation. Tuina aims at a specific effect on an identified problem, and the therapist adapts every movement to the assessment made at the start of the session.
Three practical differences follow. Tuina is performed fully clothed, through a thin garment, without oil. It can be firm, sometimes uncomfortable over a blocked area, where a relaxation massage stays uniformly pleasant. And it concentrates on pathways and points rather than covering the whole body systematically.
The techniques
The traditional repertoire includes dozens of manoeuvres. The most commonly used are:
Kneading, to release contracted muscle groups
Sustained pressure on acupuncture points, held for several seconds
Friction, to warm an area and restore local circulation
Stretching and joint mobilisation, usually at the end of the session
Light percussion, to stimulate an underactive area
The therapist combines these according to the complaint: low back pain is not treated the same way as poor digestion or insomnia.
When to book a session
The most frequent reasons for consultation:
Neck, upper back and lower back pain, including desk-related pain
Shoulder tension and recurring muscle knots
Migraines and tension headaches
Slow digestion, bloating, functional digestive complaints
Sleep problems and nervous fatigue
Sports recovery and preparation for physical effort
In children, paediatric Tuina for colic, sleep and repeated colds
What happens during a session
The session begins with an assessment: the complaint, medical history, sleep, digestion, sometimes pulse taking and tongue observation. This is not a formality, it determines which areas will be worked on.
The manual work follows, on a table, fully clothed. A session lasts about sixty minutes. Mild tiredness or slight soreness the next day is common, much like after exercise, and settles within one or two days.
How many sessions
For recent muscular tension, two or three sessions are often enough. For chronic pain, expect six to eight sessions, weekly at first and then further apart. An effect is usually noticeable from the second session.
When Tuina is not advised
Fracture, recent sprain or acute inflammation in the area to be treated
Fever or ongoing infection
Clotting disorders or anticoagulant treatment: mention this before the session
Pregnancy: certain areas and points are avoided, always tell your therapist
Price and insurance
A Tuina session lasts 60 minutes and is part of our therapeutic massages. Our therapists are ASCA and RME approved, which allows reimbursement by most complementary insurance policies. The amount depends on your contract.
Where to find us
Health Garden & Wellness is located in Geneva, rue de Chantepoulet 9 and avenue Krieg 4. Appointments on 022 788 33 33.
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Discover also our acupuncture consultations in Geneva.
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