At the clinic, I incorporate Chinese Medical Massage in its forms of Tui Na and Shiatsu. They both offer unique benefits as part of the eight branches tradition since they work within a complete system of health that considers how all aspects of our bodies interconnect. The other branches are Acupuncture, herbs, diet, exercise, meditation, cosmology, fengshui and bodywork (cupping, gua sha, and moxabustion).
In Chinese Medicine, massage isn't just about relieving muscle tension – it's understood as a way to regulate the flow of qi (vital energy) through the body's meridian system.
This style of massage is especially relevant for today's lifestyle because it addresses both immediate physical concerns and underlying patterns that may be causing discomfort. For instance, someone with chronic neck tension might receive treatment not just for the tight muscles, but also for the gallbladder meridian that runs through that area and is often affected by decision-making stress – a common feature of modern work life.
The diagnostic approach in Chinese Medicine is particularly valuable because it considers seasonal changes and their effects on our health. In our Spring Shiatsu sessions, we focus on the liver meridian to support its natural tendency to spread qi upward and outward, matching the expansive energy of the season.
