Massage Therapy

Traditional Chinese medicine also offers a less invasive treatment that is especially suitable for children. Massage and gentle pressure techniques stimulate the flow of Qi and Blood in the body. In this way existing blockages and imbalances can be resolved and weak meridians strengthened.

In the Asian region, various techniques of massage therapy have developed in recent centuries.

Tuina

The first evidence of a massage therapy in China ("An Wu") can be found in the Zhou dynasty, over 3000 years ago. The techniques have been perfected and developed over the centuries. Since the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century the term tuina has been introduced, which includes the two most important manipulations of this treatment method - "Tui" meaning "to push" and "Na" meaning "to grasp".

Today, Tuina experts differentiate between hundreds of techniques such as kneading, rubbing, rolling, lifting and various forms of acupressure. The "Yin style" uses subtle, slower and deeper techniques and stretches. The "Yang style" focuses on more dynamic and powerful movements, especially for removing blockages and stagnations.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu (finger pressure), a form of therapy that originated in Japan, also uses the technique of acupressure. Here gentle pressure is applied with the help of the palm, fingers, elbows, knees and feet at special acupoints and along the meridians. The therapist hardly uses muscle strength, but works from the center of the body using his natural body weight. Shiatsu techniques include a wide range of movements- gentle to deep and also dynamic such as rotations or stretching.

Massage therapy can traditionally be performed on a mattress/ futon or on a massage bed. Normally the client wears loose comfortable fitting clothes. In some cases, target areas are anointed with special oils and the massage techniques are performed directly on the skin.