While in China I had the opportunity to do some advanced Tui na training in the Orthopedics’ department at Wangjing TCM Hospital in Beijing. Chinese massage is called Tui na and literally means push and grasp in Chinese.  Tui na is taught in hospitals, medical schools and is widely practiced in Chinese households. As I observed - it is an essential part of China’s primary healthcare.  This is a typical treatment room in Wangjing hospital - not a lot of privacy in a 15x15 room packed with patients, the director (left), assistants, med students and four visiting acupuncturists. Despite the tight quarters patients and doctors happily chatted and visited during the treatment.

Tui na is related to acupuncture in its use of meridian pathways to restore the balance of yin and yang, stimulate qi and blood flow, remove blockages, reduce inflammation and pain. It is useful in treating injuries, joint and muscle problems and internal disorders. In the above photo cervical and lumbar spondalosisare being treated.

An interesting side note: many Chinese tui na practitioners (outside of the hospital setting) are blind, relying on their fingers and senses to guide them. In this picture I had just received a tui na treatment with cupping therapy (the reddish circles) from a blind therapist. It was intense, vigorous and I felt great the next day.