Tui-na Massage

My journey began with a deep curiosity about holistic health and a desire to help people at the root of their challenges. When I discovered a training programme in Tuina here in Ireland, I knew I had to follow that path, even though it was rare to find such training locally.

The classes were both challenging and inspiring. I was introduced to a completely different way of seeing the body not as a collection of separate parts, but as an interconnected system of energy, organs, and pathways. The more I practiced, the more I saw how effective Tuina could be in supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.

What Is Tuina?

For those who may be new to it, Tuina (pronounced “twee-nah”) is one of the oldest forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike massage that focuses purely on relaxation, Tuina is considered a therapeutic system. It works with the body’s meridians and acupoints — the same energy channels used in acupuncture, to restore balance, improve circulation, and address both external discomfort and internal imbalances.

Through techniques such as acupressure, stretching, rolling, and joint mobilisation, Tuina encourages the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and blood, helping the body reset itself. It is still used today in hospitals across China as part of mainstream medical care.

Why Tuina Became Central to My Work?

As I progressed in my training, I realised Tuina wasn’t just another therapy to add to my toolbox, it became a foundation for how I now approach health. It reinforced what I had always believed: that healing must address the whole person, not just symptoms.

Tuina taught me how to “listen” to the body with my hands, to sense where energy was blocked, and to guide it back into flow. I saw how clients could leave a session not only with less pain, but also with a calmer nervous system, better sleep, and more energy.

This therapy resonated with me so deeply because it aligned perfectly with my wider practice in functional medicine and holistic health coaching. Together, these approaches allow me to address both the physical and lifestyle factors that influence wellbeing

How Tuina Can Help: A Headache Example

One of the things I love about Tuina is how it views the body as an interconnected whole. For example, when someone comes to me with chronic headaches, I don’t just focus on the head. Instead, I look at the underlying patterns that may be contributing to the problem.

A treatment might involve working on acupoints around the neck and shoulders to release tension, but also massaging the abdomen. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the digestive system plays a key role in how energy and blood circulate through the body. By supporting digestion and easing abdominal tension, we can often reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.

Clients are often surprised by this approach, they expect only head or neck work, yet find relief when we address deeper imbalances in other areas. This is the beauty of Tuina, it doesn’t just chase symptoms, it helps restore harmony throughout the whole system.

If you’re curious about how Tuina could support your wellbeing, I’d love to welcome you into my clinic. Book a session and discover what this ancient yet deeply relevant therapy can do for you. Based In South Dublin and Wicklow, Ireland

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