Benefits of Acupuncture and Tuina Massage

Traditional Chinese medicine is comprised of four fundamental branches or treatment modalities, which are generally referred to as the ‘Four Pillars’. These being acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuina massage, and Chinese dietary therapy, often referred to as 'medicated diet, or 'functional food therapy'.

With a recorded and documented history of over 4000 years, Chinese medicine contains a hugely rich tapestry of information on treatment methodology, and clinical case studies detailing the therapeutic benefits of the Four Pillars.

In China, and the Western world, Chinese medicine, and in particular, acupuncture and tuina massage are commonly used for a multitude of clinical applications, treating both acute and chronic illness, and both internal and external health conditions. Over the last fifty years, a growing body of scientific evidence has slowly been accumulated relaying the health benefits of these two major treatment modalities.

The clinical impact of acupuncture and tuina massage can often be felt during or immediately following a treatment, with further, short-, mid- and long-term benefits manifesting in the hours and days after a treatment. When combined with other lifestyle and health changes, and often in conjunction with herbal medicine and functional food therapy, the overall impact on our health can be profound.

Five Benefits of Acupuncture

1. Pain relief: It stimulates the body to produce its own endogenous opiates, or natural pain killing neurotransmitters, aiding in the relief of acute and chronic pain.

2. Improved sleep: By stimulating the production of melatonin, and reducing cortisol, acupuncture reduces stress and calms the mind.

3. Reduced stress: Lowers the level of stress hormone, cortisol, leading to lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, improved mood and better sleep.

4. Improved immune function: Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting the release of interferon, activating and boosting immune cell function, and reducing cortisol levels. It also aids in reducing and controlling inflammatory responses within the body.

5. Improved emotional wellbeing: Acupuncture stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, whilst reducing cortisol levels, which has a powerful effect on our mood, creating the overall effect of reducing tiredness and irritability, while boosting mental alertness and our physical health.

Seven Benefits of Tuina Massage

1.      Pain Relief.

2.      Stress Reduction.

3.      Improved Sleep.

4.      Reduces Inflammation.

5.      Improved Emotional Wellbeing.

6.      Improves Blood Circulation.

7.      Maintains Bone Health.

Tuina massage, which is also referred to as Therapeutic or Medical Massage is a holistic massage system built on the same underlying principles governing acupuncture. This system of massage is highly versatile, and can be used to treat not only energetic imbalances in the same vein as acupuncture, but also for a wide variety of musculoskeletal and physical health problems. It is a powerful treatment modality in its own right, and even more so when combined with acupuncture.

Its versatility lends itself to deep and soft tissue work, joint manipulation, lymphatic drainage, and myofascial release, but can also be employed to boost overall physical and mental health, relaxation, and general well-being. Given its depth of applications, surprisingly, awareness of Tuina in the U.K. is limited. As a treatment modality, it has huge clinical potential, and many therapeutic benefits.