TuiNa
Justin Perreault, specialist in Asian Body Work, has partnered up with the Well-Being Acupuncture Center! You can contact Justin by
phone (508) 493 1297 or by email (justin@well-beingacupuncture.com).
What Is TuiNa?
Tuina is one of the oldest known forms of bodywork. Referenced in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, TuiNa has held its place among other Chinese Medicine modalities like acupuncture, herbal medicine and qigong since 2300 B.C. TuiNa is still used in Chinese hospital wards to this day, and is suitable for people of all ages.
Utilizing the same TCM (Traditional Chinese Mecicine) theories as acupuncture, TuiNa is used to stimulate and harmonize the Qi energy of the body through massage and manipulation of the energy meridians and their corresponding acupoints to lead the body into a state of balance and self-healing.
What makes TuiNa unique are it's variety of highly effective hand techniques, particularly the oscillation methods, designed to relax the soft tissues, increase circulation, realign the musculo-skeletal system and bring the body back into balance. These techniques can range from subtle pressure, to deeper, more vigorous massage.
There are different styles or "schools" of TuiNa in China. The TuiNa offered at the Well-Being Acupuncture Center is the "Rolling Method" school, known for it's effectiveness in treating joint injuries and strains of the soft tissue.
Practitioners of TuiNa also utilize external applications of herbal poultices, plasters and liniments, to help speed healing and relieve pain.
What's a typical TuiNa session like?
A TuiNa session starts out with an intake or "interview" with the patient about his or her main complaint, as well as questions that will lead to an overall view of the patients' current health and energetic patterns. The patient wears loose comfortable clothing and may start the session sitting in a chair or get right onto the massage table, depending on the issue being worked on.
Treatments are tailored to individual needs, so a treatment session for one patient's neck pain might be quite different for the next patient. It all depends on where the imbalance stems from.
TuiNa can be quite an invigorating experience and is not like your standard massage. TuiNa can be used for overall relaxation, but, its use in orthopedics can mean some serious work, requiring a bit of pressure and sometimes a little discomfort. However, the TuiNa therapist should know a persons limit and respect them; never going beyond what the patients body is ready for.
Patients keep their clothes on for the duration of the treatment, except in cases where clothing may be adjusted to apply liniments or herbal infused oils, plasters or poultices. These are used to speed healing and are an important part of the treatment of injuries.
There should never be any inappropriate contact and if the patient is uneasy with any of the procedures they should say so immediately to insure their comfort and mental well-being.
Sessions average an hour long, and may include "homework" for the patient. Things like dietary considerations, lifestyle changes and qigong exercises will be discussed or taught to further facilitate healing and reinforce the treatment. Patients often return for several sessions for chronic conditions.
First-Aid for Sports Injuries
The TuiNa offered at Well-Being Acupuncture Center can be geared toward treatment of both acute and chronic sports injuries. This may include things like muscle pulls and tears, sprains/strains of joints and muscles, concussion, major or minor contusions, Reconditioning of the sinews after dislocations have been addressed by a physician, a speedier recovery of fractures, post surgical rehabilitation of joints, and most other trauma inflicted to the body.
Also, minor injuries that go untreated can turn into much larger problems in the future. This is due to stagnant blood and chi creating disharmony through out the body. These issues are addressed through both internal and external herbal applications and TuiNa bodywork. So why take a chance? Come on in and get it sorted out, so you can continue playing hard and doing what you love!
Note: injuries should always be addressed by a qualified physician. Western medicine has diagnostic methods at their disposal to get a full picture of the extent of an injury and this cannot be replaced by the assessment methods of TCM.
What can TuiNa treat?
Because TuiNa uses the same theories and models as acupuncture, it can be used to treat many similar issues you would see an acupuncturist or herbalist for. However, all the modalities co-exist for a reason: they're all valuable in different areas! Where as acupuncture and herbal medicine thrive in treating internal disorders, TuiNa works exceptionally well for issues of the musculo-skeletal system. Uses for TuiNa are, but not limited to:
- Myofascial pain
- Any kind of sprain/strain
- Sciatica
- Herniated or bulging disks
- Numbness in the limbs
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Depression and other emotional disorders
- PMS, and menstrual disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Post surgical recuperation
- Sports injuries
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritis
- Tennis/golf elbow
- Stress
- Infertility
- Impotence
- Carpel tunnel
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Bone spurs
- Etc.
There are many ailments that can be treated including things not on this list. If there are any questions regarding what else can be treated, please feel free to contact the Well-Being Acupuncture Center for more info.
About Justin Perreault
Justin has been a student and practitioner of Taiji, Qigong, and TuiNa since 2002. The bulk of his study and knowledge has come from his teacher Jeff Cote', for which he is extremely grateful. He was trained by Jeff at The Charles River School for Healing and Inner Arts, as well as continuing with an apprenticeship under Jeff Cote' in his clinic in Newton, MA. Justin has also taken intensive courses with Bill Helm, Dean of Allied Arts at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, in Sports Injuries and other issues treated with TuiNa. Justin is a Certified Practitioner with the American Organization for the Bodywork Therapies of Asia, and also holds a certificate in Massage Therapy from The Massage School in Acton, MA. Justin is always looking for ways to improve himself and the quality of life for his patients. He believes the empowerment of health should belong to the people and strives to help his patients make the connection between their own health and how their day-to-day decisions influence their well-being.
You can contact Justin by phone or email: