Frequently Asked Questions

Although generally Tui Na does not require very strong technique, subjectively, it can be an intense experience, especially for the first time. However, it should not be painful - although one may experience uncomfortable sensations if the body is holding an acute injury or high levels of tension.  I work at the level that is appropriate for each client. The reason for the discomfort is because we are asking the body to change, and change is sometimes met with resistance, because  change represents the unknown. Invariably, with each session, the body increasingly comes to trust the therapy and understand in its way that it is good for it. This is not a mental process, it is existential but it helps to be aware of this. 

Yes! Tui Na will enhance the effects of any other therapies that you do and it is likely that other therapists or medical professionals will notice the positive changes that you are getting from Tui Na.

No! Tui Na can help in principle with any health complaint, including emotional and mental health as well as internal imbalances in the organs, digestive, endocrine, nervous and circulatory systems. Why? Because Tui Na opens the body to relax and release tension and blockage in the fascia as well as all the meridians . This allows blood and chi to flow better throughout the entire system, internally and externally and increases health and vitality. Quite often clients come initially for a physical complaint and after that is addressed, deeper issues are revealed that we then treat.  Emotions play a much more important role than most people understand.

If it's a serious injury, call 911 or go to the urgent care or the ER. Once the condition is stabilised, come to me. Tui Na is extremely effective for trauma injuries like falls, motor vehicle accident injuries and so on where there are fractures, bruising, acute shock and pain. In fact, pain is mostly caused by the results of inflammation and Tui Na can quickly reduce or eliminate inflammation. Not only does this relieve pain quickly, but it enables the body's healing process to work much, much faster.  The goal is to get you back on your feet and using the impacted area as soon as possible to prevent immobilisation and atrophy which, once established, make recovery a much lengthier process.

This can happen. Tui Na is a  subtle art that  finds its way to  where its most needed. There is always an emotional dimension to any injury or physical discomfort. It can be a direct result of the shock of an accident, or it can be somatised emotions from things that we went through earlier in life. Bodies are very good at burying emotions. If they arise during or after a session, that is a good thing - it is part of the process of healing, although we want to precede slowly and gently without forcing anything. If you find things a little too much to be with, don't run a way from them. Gently allow them to be. Talk to me or someone you feel safe with about how you feel if you need to. There are many ways that we can support the emotional aspect of healing. If you know that you're holding difficult emotions or you are highly sensitive,  let me know prior to the sessions and we can work together to keep you in the 'safe zone'. 

Sometimes, especially with acute injuries, one or two sessions is sufficient to fully resolve things. If your complaint is a chronic one it will most likely require a series of treatments to enable lasting change. It took many months or years to get to where you are so it will take a little time to reverse this. Typically, at the outset, weekly sessions are advised (typically  4-8) and after that point in most cases the intervals can be  gradually extended as the body finds stability in its new equilibrium. My goal is to ideally resolve the issue completely or at the minimum get it into a 'maintenance' state where only periodic visits are needed to maintain a pain free state. 

Tui Na is not only for people with injuries - many clients come as a preventative measure, to help get through extra stressful times,  or simply because they enjoy the sessions and feel good afterwards. In such cases, one can come whenever one feels the need or desire.