TUI NA, CUPPING, GUA SHA

Tui Na literally translates to “push, lift and grasp”. It is a medical massage technique that helps move and circulate Qi energy in the body.

I often use Tui-Na (manual manipulation) in conjunction with acupuncture for musculoskeletal relief as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions. Techniques may be gentle or quite firm.

Cupping therapy is the use of glass suction cups to move qi and blood that is trapped in the surface layer of the body. This can help treat pain, deep scar tissue in the muscles and connective tissue, muscle knots, and swelling. I also use cupping to help relieve sickness, fever, and skin disease. Although it can leave ‘bruises’, the technique itself is often relaxing and feels very releasing. I’ll also employ Gua Sha (scraping) to more accurately relieve fascial adhesions.

Another application is Moxibustion (warming), often on top of inserted needles. I choose the treatment modality based on what you are presenting and therefore need, at the time of treatment.