What Are the Benefits of Chinese Massage?

Chinese massage, also known as tuina, uses both acupressure and massage practices to massage the body. Acupressure is a technique that uses the mapping of meridians throughout the body to help bring the body's energies back into balance. Western massage techniques use knowledge of the body's muscular system to apply pressure to tension points. Chinese massage is available at many day spas and through specialty massage practitioners. There are several health benefits to Chinese massage.

Increased Energy

• Meridians are defined as energy channels throughout the body that carry the body's chi (energy) throughout the body, including between internal organs and muscles. Acupressure helps unblock the body's meridians, allowing energy to flow more smoothly within the body. The practice of Western massage to relax the muscles also helps release tension throughout the body. This increases overall energy and reduces stress.

Improved Immune System

• Chinese massage can help stimulate the immune system by increasing the flow of energy, which reduces stress and increases healing. This is accomplished through balancing the body's energies, releasing tension in the body's muscles and joints, and improving the body's elimination of waste. In addition, overall circulation is improved following Chinese massage and the lymphatic system may perform better.

Improved Muscle Tone

• Chinese massage incorporates massaging the soft tissues in the body, which can increase muscle tone and relax painful, knotted muscles and ligaments. The massage may only affect the muscles that lie directly underneath the skin or may incorporate a more deep-tissue massage. As a result, muscles relax and rebuild. Repeated sessions of Chinese massage may result in improved muscle tone and appearance.