The power of Tui Na and Shaitsu

The other day I had a client whom I have been giving massage to for some time. She presents with headaches that stem from her occiput, lower back pain and some arm issues. Actually she is a body worker too! Her sessions are on average every 2 weeks to which I work mostly on the neck but some time on the arms and back.

One day she decided to try something new. She came in for a session of Asian Bodywork. I did a combination of Shiatsu and Tui Na, really working on loosening up the spine and pelvis. Her feedback was positive, the difference compared to massage was good and she felt stretched and open.

A few days later, I emailed to check in. She replied that her lower back pain was completely gone! Two weeks after that session she came for a session on her neck and at that point the low back was still painless.

Massage in itself can be very powerful but I have been seeing its limitations too. There are many forms of massage so I can't speak for them all, only what I do, of course. Where there are limitations for massage, I see Asian Bodywork filing that gap easily. It is always amazing to me how powerful it is and while I feel at times that I am still learning, I feel that way about LIFE! But there has become an ability to see beyond what the eye sees and calculate what needs to be done to get results and that makes a great difference in the work I do. It brings an intense direction to the bodywork which brings better results.

I am not sure if other bodyworkers get this 'ding', see the 'light'! Like my mind says "Oh, that is what the teacher has been talking about!" Maybe I am just slow. :) All I know is, I want to do more and more Asian Bodywork so Universe, bring it on!

Tui Na vs. Shiatsu

Tui Na defined by the AOBTA states the following:

"Tuina is a method of Chinese bodywork characterized by the smooth gliding or rolling movements of the hands and arms. Through Tui (push) and na (grasp), kneading, pressing, rolling, shaking, and stretching of the body, acupoints are opened and qi flow is realigned in the musculo-tendon meridians. Tuina techniques are used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and internal organ disorders by opening stagnant meridian channels and encouraging the flow of qi into deficient areas. Tuina utilizes TCM theory in assessing energetic and functional disorders. In addition, the use of external herbal medicines and therapeutic exercise is also included."

Shiatsu defined by the AOBTA states:

"The primary emphasis of Five Element Shiatsu is to identify a pattern of disharmony through use of the four pillars of examinations and to harmonize that pattern with an appropriate treatment plan. Hands-on techniques and preferences for assessment varies with the practitioner, depending on their individual background and training. The radial pulse usually provides the most critical and detailed information. Palpation of the back and/or abdomen and a detailed verbal history serve to confirm the assessment. Considerations of the client's lifestyle, emotional, and psychological factors are all considered important. Although this approach uses the paradigm of the five elements to tonify, sedate, or control patterns of disharmony, practitioners of this style also consider hot or cold and internal or external symptoms and signs."

Actually the AOBTA defines a few styles of Shiatsu so I am sharing Five Element with you. My studies included Zen shiatsu, and theories of TCM and 5 Element. Combining all I was taught, I should just call it The Therapist Shiatsu. :)

In my Shiastu training, we did learn many of the same hand techniques that I have learnt in my future studies in Tui Na. So I am finding it hard to define my sessions with clients. Some Shiatsu clients have noticed a slight difference in my work and really enjoy it but all I have done is included some of the protocol I am learning in Tui Na class. They ask me, what are you doing, Shiastu or Tui Na? Well, definitely both. They ask, is one better then the other? Hell no, they are both excellent modalities.

Now I am left wondering what to say the session is and I think Asian Bodywork is ok but still very extensive in possibilities. It has become obvious that it is impossible for me to say..... This session is shiatsu or this session is tui na.

What a pain in the neck!

Headaches often start out as tension in the neck muscles. There are various kinds of headaches though from sinus headaches, cluster headaches, hormone headaches and migraines. Most of these tips to helping control headaches are geared towards tension headaches.

It is estimated that 45 million Americans suffer from these various headaches, many chronically. Of those, 28 million have migraines. 60% of children suffer occasionally from headaches. The cost on the work force? $50 million in missed work days and doctor visits.

One definition of a headache states "pain in the head". Tension headaches often start out with a stiff neck, achy occiput region (the area right below your skull on the back of the neck) or even tension in the jaw. Everyone has different area's that might get tight and later cause a headache. The best thing we can do is prevent this tension from invading our bodies. Any form of bodywork that we received regularly can help immensely as well as doing yoga, qi gong and/or meditation. In my line of work, I have discovered that people with poor posture seem to be prone to headaches.

Preventing headaches is key. As a sufferer of both tension and migraine headaches, I speak from my own experience. As I mentioned above, getting regular bodywork is essential. Not only does this help your muscles relax, you are retraining your body on how it should move in a healthy way. You are learning to relax our shoulders, not walk about with them at your ears. How often a client has bodywork is up to each individual. I suggest a few sessions as close together as possible. Ex. once a week. After those sessions are complete, an evaluation is done to see the progress. Most clients then find they can space sessions further apart. Personally I like to go for my sessions once a month.

I mention yoga, meditation and qi gong again. Any of these techniques will stretch and relax the body and mind. When we learn to breath properly, our bodies benefit greatly. I have found that doing qi gong every day has made a world of difference in how I feel and the lack of headaches I get.

Often the spine is out of whack and needs a chiropractor. Talk to some local friends and search out a chiropractor in your area.

Chinese medicine can be a great tool also. Part of the treatments I receive involve bodywork (tui na), acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines. Finding a qualified Licensed acupuncturist is getting easier and often is covered by insurance plans. To find a practitioner near you, click on the link to the left for the NCCAOM.

In the second part of this article, I will offer some easy at home things you can do to prevent headaches and to ease them once they have infringed on your life.

So you want to try Shiatsu.....

or maybe another form of Asian Bodywork Therapy!

Awesome!

But where to find a qualified practitioner?

Let me help you out. American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia The AOBTA has a search engine to locate practitioners in your area.

Another great place to search qualified therapists is the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Lastly if you looking in the UK I suggest the Shiatsu Society

Gua Sha

Gua sha is an age old healing technique that some think of as 'folk' medicine. While typically preformed by an Acupuncturist or Asian Bodywork Therapist, this technique can be easily done at home with a family member.

Gua means to scrape and Sha is the reddish rash you will see in the pictures. Yes, it looks like torture but I assure you, it does not feel bad.

This technique is used when there is a restricted blood flow in an area. Most gua sha is done to the back, neck, shoulders and glutes. Typically there is pain in the area that has sha present. If you press your fingers into an area, quickly releasing them and white marks remain, sha is present. It can also be used to treat colds, flu and other internal conditions.

To do gua sha you will need a few tools. A lubricant (ex. Vick's vapor rub or a thick oil like peanut oil), a round edged tool (ex. coin, metal jar lid, spoon or a tool sold specifically for gua sha) and a towel.

Have your 'client' sit or lie comfortably. All muscles that will be scraped should be relaxed. Rub your lubricant on the skin and with the tool at a 30 degree's angle, make downward strokes. Use a comfortable pressure. Communication between both persons is essential. Stop if any pain arises. Continue with one area until the sha appears then move to the next area. If no rash appears, sha is not present.

When finished, wipe off access oil with towel and tell 'client' to keep the area covered. Many people feel immediate results so then need to be warned to still take it easy for the next day or so. Gua sha also should not be done to open skin, burns or serious injuries where there could be a bone break. For those interested in learning more, I will provide a link to a very good book on the subject at the end of the post.

The redness will fade sometimes within 24 hours but at the most 2-3 days. The longer it sticks around is an indication of poor blood circulation in the area.


It is hard to see properly but you will notice white finger marks near the left scapula, showing signs of sha being present.

This pictures shows the first line of scraping, bring sha to the surface then moving on.

Continuing to gua sha the back.


The back is complete. This client came for treatment related to chronic pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back.


Click here for information on Gua Sha. Arya Nielsen wrote a great book called "Gua Sha - a Traditional Technique for Modern Practice"

To purchase tools for gua sha, Lhasa OMS Medical Supplies has many varieties for sale.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is always best to seek a qualified medical professional. :)