About us
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be characterised as holistic with emphasis on the integrity of the human body and the close relationship between human and its social and natural environment. TCM focuses on health maintenance and in the treatment of disease emphasises on enhancing the body's resistance to diseases.
The philosophical strands that gave the greatest impetus to the development of TCM are the theories of Essential Qi, Yin-Yang and the Five Elements.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), qi is the vital energy that circulates through the body at all times. ... TCM includes herbal remedies, acupuncture, and exercises such as tai chi or qigong.
In TCM, five elements, or five phases, theory outlines the relationship between the different elements in nature and the life force, or "qi," that flows through them. The basic elements are wood(木), fire(火), earth(土), metal(金), and water(水).
Tui na has a long history with many periods of flourishing and development. The first massage techniques were born instinctively from the needs of the people who were living physically hard lives, exposed to the elements and prone to frequent injuries. They discovered that An (pressing) would stop bleeding and Mo (rubbing) would ease pain and reduce swelling. Evidence from archaeological digs suggests that massage was first practiced over 3000 years ago. Ancient oracle bones and tortoise shells were discovered upon which there are inscriptions that refer to a female shaman known as a Bi who cured people with massage. Medicine was inseparable from ritual life and was directed and developed by the shamans of the time who became the first doctors. Massage became quite sophisticated even in these early times.
Its original Chinese name was 'Anmo' - 'An' meaning Press and 'Mo' meaning Rub. Tuina was officially incorporated into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a medical therapy in the 20th century, and is often used alongside Acupuncture.
1. Tuina or tui-na (pronounced twee-nah) massage
Originated in ancient China and is believed to be the oldest system of bodywork. It's one of the four main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, along with acupuncture, qi gong, and Chinese herbal medicine.
It's based on the theory that imbalances of qi (气), which is the body's vital life force or energy, can cause blockages or imbalances that lead to symptoms such as pain and illness.
Tuina massage stimulates the flow of qi to promote balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture.
It's similar to acupuncture
in the way it targets specific acupoints, but practitioners use fingers
instead of needles to apply pressure to stimulate these points. Tuina
massage is often used in combination with acupuncture.
2. Hot stone massage
Hot stone massage is best for people who have muscle pain and tension or who simply want to relax. This type of therapeutic massage is similar to a Swedish massage, only the massage therapist uses heated stones in lieu of or in addition to their hands. It eases muscle tension, improves blood flow, and relieves pain by using heated stones. Hot stone massage may help:
- ease muscle tension
- improve blood flow
- alleviate pain
- promote relaxation
- relieve stress
During a hot stone massage, heated stones are placed on different areas around your whole body. Your therapist may hold a stone as they massage different parts of your body using Swedish massage techniques using gentle pressure. Sometimes cold stones are also used.
You don't wear clothes for hot stone massage unless you'll feel more comfortable wearing your underwear. You will be covered with a sheet. Usually the massage is at least 60 minutes long.
3. Four hand massage
Four hand massage is a kind of massage that has 2 masseuses or therapists for one client. They practice synchronised technical massage movements and apply the same pressure and pace on both sides of the body (left and right ) which increases the level of muscle relaxation and massage benefits.
It's a unique type of massage therapy and puts your entire body and mind in complete and deeper state of relaxation. It is performed with the aid of hot essential oils that facilitate the sliding of the hands on the skin, and helps to purify body and mind. This is because your brain cannot keep track and make no sense of the synchronized movements. Therefore, the brain stops thinking and focuses on the sensations which makes you feel fully immersed in the experience.