Tui Na Massage
An ancient form of bodywork that supports the body’s natural healing processes
Tui Na (pronounced twee-nah) is hands-on bodywork, It’s a therapeutic system from Traditional Chinese Medicine, used for centuries to support pain patterns, tension, and overall balance in the body.
Originating in China and practiced for over two thousand years, Tui Na is one of the four core branches of TCM, alongside acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and Qi Gong (movement and breathwork used to support energy, strength, and vitality).
In Chinese Medicine, health is linked to the smooth movement of Qi—often described as the body’s vital energy. When Qi becomes stuck or depleted, the body can start to feel tight, heavy, or out of balance. Tui Na works through skilled manual techniques and acupressure to release blockages, restore flow, and help the body reset—so you feel more ease, mobility, and steadiness.
How does it work?
Tui Na literally translates as “push and grasp” (often described as pinch, pull, and mobilise). It works along the body’s acupressure points and energy channels, similar to the pathways used in acupuncture—but using hands-on techniques instead of needles.
Rather than only chasing the sore spot, Tui Na looks at why the area is overloaded in the first place. That means treating both the symptoms (pain, tightness, restriction) and the underlying pattern (compensation, tension habits, stress load, and areas that aren’t moving well).
Is Tuina like massage?
During a Tui Na session, I use a range of rhythmic and pressure-based techniques, adjusting the depth, speed, and style to what your body needs on the day. Some sessions feel more like deep therapeutic work, while others are gentler and more regulating, helping the nervous system settle so the body can release.
I work through muscles, tendons and fascia, and may include gentle mobilisation and guided movement to restore ease and function in areas that feel restricted.
The aim is always the same: reduce tension patterns, improve mobility, and help your body return to balance, without forcing anything.
Tui Na draws on methods you may recognise from other therapeutic approaches, including acupressure, myofascial release, stretching, and joint mobilisation.
Traditionally, Tui Na is performed fully clothed. For best results, wear loose, comfortable clothing so I can move the body freely and work effectively through your natural range of motion.
What can Tui Na help with?
Tui Na is commonly used to support a wide range of musculoskeletal and stress-related tension patterns. Depending on your needs, it may help with:
Neck and back tension, muscle strains, postural stress, knee discomfort, sports-related tightness, tennis elbow, ankle and wrist strain, sciatica-type symptoms, carpal tunnel–type symptoms, headaches and migraines linked to tension, and stiffness associated with conditions such as arthritis.
It can also be helpful when stress is showing up physically—through tight shoulders, jaw/neck holding, shallow breathing, fatigue, or digestive discomfort.
How it supports the body
One of the core effects of Tui Na is improving local circulation and tissue mobility. By working with tight muscles, fascia, and restricted areas, it can help the body feel lighter, freer, and more comfortable, supporting overall wellbeing and function.
What to expect
Many clients notice changes quickly, sometimes in how they move, how they sleep, or how much tension they’re carrying. Results vary depending on the issue, how long it’s been present, and your overall stress and recovery load, but the aim is always long-term improvement, not temporary relief.