Wellbeing Enhancement

Tui Na Massage

Tui Na is a traditional Chinese therapeutic massage practised for thousands of years and a core part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. At AcuPro Clinic in Abu Dhabi, our practitioners use a range of hand techniques — pressing, kneading, rolling and acupressure along the body's energy channels — to release tension, ease pain and restore healthy movement.

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Background

Understanding Tui Na Massage

Unlike a purely relaxing spa massage, Tui Na is targeted and clinical: your session begins with a short assessment so the treatment focuses on exactly what your body needs, whether that's a stiff neck from desk work, a tight lower back, or general fatigue and stress.

01
Traditional Background

How Did TuiNa Develop?

TuiNa (推拿, literally “push and grasp”) is one of the main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, alongside acupuncture and herbal medicine. Hand-based massage, known in early texts as anmo (“press and rub”), is described in the Huangdi Neijing, and has been practised in China for well over two thousand years. The name TuiNa came into common use during the Ming dynasty, and today it is taught as a specialty in TCM universities and used in Chinese hospitals.
In TCM theory, TuiNa works along the same channels (meridians) and acupoints used in acupuncture. By applying rhythmic pressure and movement, the practitioner aims to free areas of stagnation, encourage the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, and relax the tendons and muscles. Techniques are chosen to suit each person: gentle and soothing for tension and stress, firmer and more focused for stiff or knotted muscles.
Pushingand rolling to warm and loosen the muscles
Pressingacupoints along the channels
Graspingand kneading to release knotted tissue
Stretchingand mobilising the joints
Figure 1. Common groups of TuiNa hand techniques and what they are traditionally used for.
02
Modern Scientific Perspective

How Does TuiNa Work?

From a modern point of view, TuiNa is a form of therapeutic soft-tissue massage. Research on massage in general suggests that it may act through several overlapping pathways:
TuiNa techniques
pressure, kneading and stretching
Soft tissueMechanical pressure and stretching may ease muscle tension and stiffness and improve local blood flow.
Nervous systemStimulating pressure receptors in the skin and muscles may change how pain signals are processed.
RelaxationMassage is associated with a calmer state, including short-term reductions in anxiety and heart rate^[1].
Figure 2. Proposed ways in which therapeutic massage such as TuiNa may have its effects.
Clinical evidence is still developing and is generally of modest quality. A systematic review of massage for neck and shoulder pain, carried out by researchers at a Shanghai TuiNa research institute, found that massage may provide short-term relief compared with no or inactive treatment, but did not clearly outperform other active treatments^[2]. A Cochrane review of massage for low back pain found short-term improvements in pain, while rating the overall certainty of the evidence as low to very low^[3].
TuiNa is best seen as a hands-on therapy that many people find helpful for muscle tension, stiffness and relaxation, and it can be combined with acupuncture or cupping as part of a wider treatment plan.

References

Moyer CA, Rounds J, Hannum JW. A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological Bulletin. 2004;130(1):3–18. doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.1.3
Kong LJ, Zhan HS, Cheng YW, Yuan WA, Chen B, Fang M. Massage therapy for neck and shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:613279. doi.org/10.1155/2013/613279
Furlan AD, Giraldo M, Baskwill A, Irvin E, Imamura M. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(9):CD001929. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001929.pub3

Your session

What you need to know

1Before your treatment

What to Prepare

If you have any medical reports, examination or test results, feel free to bring them with you. They can help us better understand your condition, but they are not necessary.
Please let your practitioner know if you are pregnant, have osteoporosis, a recent injury or fracture, a skin condition in the area, a blood-clotting disorder or take blood-thinning medication.
2During your treatment

What to Expect
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing, and make sure you are neither too full nor too hungry.
- Your practitioner will ask about your symptoms and check the areas of tension before starting.
- A combination of pushing, kneading, pressing, rolling and gentle stretching techniques is applied to the muscles, joints and acupoints.
- The pressure can feel firm in tight areas, but it should never be more than you are comfortable with. Tell your practitioner at any time and the pressure will be adjusted.
3After your treatment

Aftercare
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 hours after the treatment.
- Keep hydrated.
- Keep warm and avoid sitting in cold draughts.
Some people feel mild muscle tenderness for a day or so, similar to after exercise, and many feel deeply relaxed. This is usually temporary.

Who can benefit

Conditions TuiNa may help with

TuiNa is often chosen for muscle and joint discomfort, tension and stress. These are some of the most common reasons our patients choose it.

Neck & shoulder tension

Stiff, aching neck and shoulders from desk work, poor posture or stress. Massage may give short-term relief from neck and shoulder pain.

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Back pain

Many patients choose TuiNa for aching, tight back muscles, often alongside acupuncture or cupping.

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Sciatica-type pain

Tight muscles in the lower back and buttocks that can accompany sciatic pain. TuiNa is used to relax these areas as part of a wider plan.

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Stiff joints

Joint stiffness and reduced flexibility, for example in the shoulders or knees. Gentle mobilisation may help you feel more comfortable moving.

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Stress & tension

Physical tension that builds up with stress. Massage is associated with feeling calmer and more relaxed.

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Poor sleep

Some people find the relaxing effect of TuiNa helps them unwind and sleep better.

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Tension headaches

Headaches linked to tight neck and shoulder muscles. TuiNa is often used to ease the tension around the neck and head.

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Fatigue & low energy

Feeling run down and tense. In TCM, TuiNa is used to encourage the smooth flow of Qi and Blood.

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Digestive discomfort

Some practitioners use gentle abdominal TuiNa for bloating and sluggish digestion.

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Your practitioner will assess whether TuiNa is right for you at your consultation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is TuiNa painful?

TuiNa can feel firmer than a relaxing spa massage, especially over tight or knotted muscles, but it should not be painful. Your practitioner will keep checking with you and adjust the pressure to suit you.

How is TuiNa different from other massage?

TuiNa is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. As well as working on the muscles, the practitioner uses acupoints and channels, and the treatment is tailored to your TCM assessment rather than following a fixed routine.

Will I feel sore afterwards?

Some people feel mild tenderness in the treated muscles for a day or so, similar to after exercise. This usually settles on its own. Keeping warm and hydrated can help.

Can TuiNa be combined with acupuncture or cupping?

Yes. TuiNa is often combined with acupuncture, cupping or moxibustion. Your practitioner can suggest the best combination for you after your consultation.

Is TuiNa suitable for everyone?

Most people can receive TuiNa, but it may need to be adapted or avoided if you are pregnant, have osteoporosis, a recent injury or fracture, broken skin, a blood-clotting disorder or take blood thinners. Please tell your practitioner about any health conditions before treatment, and keep seeing your GP for any ongoing medical care.

Still have a question? Ask our practitioners.