Acupressure

Acupressure is the application of pressure to the body to affect the flow of energy (Ki) in the 12 meridians according to the principles of Oriental medicine. It is widely practiced in China where more emphasis is given to a person's responsibility for their own health than it is in the West, and is often used as a self-help treatment.

Acupressure is believed to be the 'mother of Acupuncture' in that it predates the use of needles to stimulate the body's energy flow. It has the same principles as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the Acupoints of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object. Stimulation of the body's meridian system by touch is perhaps one of the oldest healing systems, and many other therapies use Acupressure techniques including Shen Tao, Jin Shen, Do Jin Shen, Qigong, Shiatsu and Tuina.

Tuina

Tuina is a medical method using the arms, hands, fingers, elbows and knees as tools for treating diseases and illnesses. Tuina is also used to protect health and build up body immunity, so that disease can be stopped in its beginning acting as a preventative medical measure, without any side effects. Tuina can sometimes be mistaken for acupressure.

Tuina uses techniques and manipulations to stimulate acupuncture points or other parts of the body surface so as to correct physiological imbalances of the body and achieve curative effects. The effect of Tuina is to disperse and smooth obstructions whilst checking and restraining hyperfunction. Tuina is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which also encompasses acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition and exercise to treat the whole body, mind and spirit.

In summary, Tuina rectifies anatomical anomalies, alters the inner energy state of the biological system and adjusts the bio-information of the body. For soft tissue injuries, Tuina relaxes muscles and tendons and promotes smooth passage of the channels. It also promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis.

Tuina techniques and manipulations are rigorous. Patients of Tuina treatments can be seated or may be laid on a treatment couch, whichever is the most comfortable position for both patient and practitioner. Tuina treatments are usually applied on top of loose clothing, i.e. rarely on bare skin, although herbal rubs can be used in conjunction with a Tuina treatment. The effects of a typical Tuina treatment, if it hasn’t completely cleared any obstruction, can last up to 3 -4 days.

Tuina may be applied to treat many disorders from soft tissue injuries to many other kinds of ailments such as rheumatic pain, tiredness, lack of energy and any symptoms caused by stress or emotional problems. Tuina is even used for cosmetic purposes such as weight loss and an alternative to botox! Tuina is especially good for adults, infants, sports medicine, general health care for the elderly, rehabilitation and orthopaedics, from which many other complementary therapies have evolved as ‘specialist’ therapies.