Tuī-ná

Rubbing, pressing or other manipulation of the body for the treatment and prevention of disease. Massage helps to free the channels and vessels, and also helps to disinhibit the joints. By stimulating the movement of qì and blood, it can regulate the function of the bowels and viscera, and increase resistance to disease.

Chinese tuī-ná has many distinctive manipulation techniques and is used to treat specific conditions. It can be described as massage, although this term and its Chinese equivalent 按摩 àn mó usually refer to interventions mainly intended to relax the body and relieve tensions.

Etymology

Chinese: 推拿 tuī ná literally mean push-grasp, referring to two representative manipulations applied in the therapy.