Martial artists had a hand in developing the first massage techniques of ancient China.
The traditional practices of Chinese medicine are navigated by the ancient principles of qi, (pronounced chee) or bio-electrical life energy, that circulates through all living things. While modern science and medicine continue to play patty-cake in their attempts to nail down holistic treatments for health and wellness, Chinese medicine continues to build on 5,000 years of practice. One of the oldest forms of Chinese medical treatment is the Qigong massage, which incorporated the knowledge of doctors, martial artists and spiritual teachers throughout its early genesis.
Tui Na
Drawing on the five-element theory--which personifies fire, wood, earth, water and metal--to translate physical illness, the Qigong Tui Na is a 2,000 year old "push and grasp" massage technique born in the time of China's Yellow Emperor. In all realms of , pain is viewed as a form of imbalance that can be alleviated through reopening meridians, or pathways, to blocked energy. Tui Na targets the 12 meridians, six yin and six yang, found in the arms and legs, with deep massage. Tui Na is generally used by practitioners to improve musculoskeletal, digestive, chronic stress, respiratory and reproductive system disorders.
Dian Xue
Qigong massages are one aspect of a holistic prescription for health and wellness.
This form of massage is a less invasive form of acupuncture in its use of finger presses instead of needles on pressure points. Certain infections, spinal diseases and cancers are reportedly congruous to this less invasive method. According to Natural Healing, an alternative medicine directory for prospective healers, Qigong massages are the most common form of Chinese massage due to "anatomically precise and patient specific" techniques, which include pulse, tongue and nail examinations. Dian Xue is a more vigorous form of Tui Na and is used to treat pain management, female and male illnesses, general diseases and preventative forms of health ailments.
An Ma
Qigong massage techniques are viewed by practitioners of Chinese medicine as one aspect in a complex therapeutic program that also involves changes in mental perceptions and implementing prescribed "diet, vitamin supplements, and herbs." An Ma is the least strenuous form of massage, implementing hand rubbing on all 361 pressure points of the human body. The benefits of An Ma include "relaxation, improvement of blood circulation, and prevention of illness."
Qigong Therapy
Those involved in Qigong therapies should experience eight "qi-gong reactions" as outlined in "Tong Meng Zhi Guan," a sixth century book on nurturing Buddhist spirituality. Positive reactions include increased physical sensations, vitality and mental clarity. Any physically limiting sensations, such as headaches, palpitations or coldness in the limbs, are signs of negative "qi-gong deviations" that require balancing. Treatment should be halted in such times until a holistic reassessment can be performed by a qualified practitioner.
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