What to expect during a tui na session

Tui Na treatments may be somewhat different to other kinds of massage and therapies you have experienced before. Here are some things to be aware of:

Before the session:

• Please wear loose fitting clothes that are comfortable and can be rolled up if required
• Please let me know if you have any mobility issues that prevent you from being able to walk down stairs or comfortably lie on a massage table

During the session:

• First time patients are welcomed to the clinic and I will get to know you and understand about your complaint and your health history
• Quite quickly,  you will find yourself lying on the treatment table – I can often learn more by touch than by words
• Tui Na treatments are done with the patient clothed and covered with a light cotton blanket
• I may ask you to change positions on the table or to sit on a stool so that I can gain better access to diffrerent parts of the body 
• If a  specialised massage technique or cupping are called for I may ask your permission to expose parts of the body, typically the calves, arms or back
• I may use a far infrared heat lamp which will deeply warm the area I'm working on

Although I always aim to stay within each patient's comfort zone, Tui Na can sometimes feel like an intense experience, especially for the first time and if one is carrying much tension in the body. This is because we are moving things which may have been stuck in patterns for some time, and reintegrating mind, body and energy.     

After the session

There may be mild soreness for a day or two after the session. With regular Tui Na, the body noticeably becomes softer and more supple.

How long will it take to recover?

The short answer is that it varies by individual - but usually faster than you think. It depends on how long the injury or imbalance has been there and how strong your vitality is. Each Tui Na session should bring a marked step improvement in the condition. 

How often should I come?

For serious chronic or acute conditions a series of weekly treatments is recommended to build the healing momentum. After the condition is cleared, less frequent maintenance treatments are recommended.