A type of Chinese manipulative therapy based on the principles of TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine Cleveland, Tuina therapy involves pressure, rolling, kneading, or brushing techniques to treat ailments by stimulating the energy channels or meridians of the body.

This therapy may be used in combination with herbal medicine, moxibustion, or acupuncture treatment or as a standalone treatment.

Different forms of Tuina Techniques

1. Rocking manipulation

This technique is done by holding with one hand the part of the limb proximal to the joint and the other hand the part distal to the joint. The joint is then gently rotated from side to side.

2. Rubbing manipulation

In this technique, the affected part is rubbed using the palm or the ventral aspect of the finger with moderate frequency and force in a roundabout motion.

3. Tapping technique

This Tuina method is done by tapping the affected area with the tips of fingers held together.

4. Back-packing manipulation

This method involves placing the patient on the back of the practitioner while the two are standing back to back. This method is designed to help decrease a protruded lumbar intervertebral disc.

5. Pulling manipulation

This involves the rotation or extension of a joint by holding its distal and proximal ends and pulling them forcefully and instantaneously in a similar or opposite direction.

6. Treading manipulation

In this method, the practitioner treads on the ailing area for reduction, e.g., for the decrease of a protruded intervertebral disc treading is applied on the back.

7. Pinching manipulation

The practitioner lifts and holds the soft tissues using his thumb with the other four fingers or his thumb with the middle or index finger, pushing and squeezing forward.

8. Grasping manipulation

The practitioner lifts and squeezes the problematic muscles with his thumb and other four fingers thumb or with his index and middle fingers with one or both of his hands.

9. Pressing manipulation

The practitioner steadily pushes in a vertical direction towards the body of the patient.

10. Sinew-flicking manipulation

The practitioner performs this manipulation by pulling up the muscle or tendon repeatedly and releasing it immediately.

11. Flicking manipulation

This is performed with the practitioner hitting the problem area by flicking it against the thumb or with the back of his index fingertip.

12. Shaking manipulation

In the technique, the practitioner holds and pulls outwards the distal end of the affected extremity and then shaken up and down within the limit of movement.

13. Scrubbing manipulation

The practitioner administers this technique by rubbing his palm or thenar, or the flat of his finger to and fro repeatedly over the skin with a high frequency.

14. Rolling manipulation

The practitioner turns the back of the hand back and forth repeatedly over the body of the patient.

15. Single-finger pushing Qi-concentrated manipulation

This technique is performed by only using the thumb in a swaying motion.

16. Pushing manipulation

The practitioner squeezes and pushes the patient’s muscles with his palms or fingers forward, spirally or apart, with force.

17. Kneading manipulation

The practitioner moves circularly or presses to and fro with the root of his palm (thenar) or with the flat of his thumb a problem area.

18. Twisting manipulation

The practitioner twists an injured limb with both his palms in an opposite direction.

19. Rotating manipulation

This technique is done with the practitioner holding and rotating gently the distal end of the patient’s injured limb.