Body work
Tui Na
Tui Na Massage (pronounce tway-nah) techniques include kneading, pressing, rubbing, and rolling to promote healing, stimulate qi, and enhance the flow of blood. Tui Na is believed to be the oldest form of bodywork originating from China as one of the basic branches of Chinese medicine. Similar to Shiatzu massage, varied pressure techniques with changing force and speed are used to open blockages in the meridian channels. Acupressure, myofascial release, and joint mobilizations may be used, along with cupping and gua sha. Strong deep tissue or gentle rejuvenating methods may be used depending on your comfort levels and needs.
Cupping
Cupping is the ancient practice of using cups to apply suction to an area of the body. The inside of the cups are heated quickly and applied to the skin creating a vacuum that increases local qi and blood circulation, relieves muscle spasms and pain, and reduces swelling, this is called fire cupping. These cups may stay where they are placed for 5-10 minutes or may be moved along the muscles of the back on oiled skin. Cupping is also used to treat fevers, common cold, flu, and asthma. This practice has been used for thousands of years in China, Egypt, and the Middle East but has recently become popular in the west after the iconic round marks were seen on Olympic athletes.
*Some people love the feeling of being cupped and this option is available as a stand alone treatment In our office in Jackson.
Gua Sha
Gua sha, (pronounced gwa-sha), also called scraping, is the art of gently using a smooth-edged tool, traditionally jade or bone, to release superficial layers and stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, therefore, increasing blood flow. This can be used to prevent the onset of a cold or for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Sometimes dark red or purple marks can be seen on the skin after cupping or gua sha indicating a deep stagnation has been released.