Tuina is Chinese "medical massage therapy," which has been in continuous use since prehistoric times. All peoples of the world developed massage as a way of seeking relief from the aches and pains of injury and just daily living. From about 2000 BCE, tuina practitioners incorporated the traditional Chinese medical theory (TCM) of the flow of Qi through the channel pathways of the body as its basic therapeutic orientation. This means the patients internal and external health requirements are taken into consideration when massage and manipulation techniques are applied. Tuina seeks to re-establish the harmonious flow of Qi
through the system of channel pathways, allowing the body to naturally heal itself.

Tuina methods include:

• The use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body.
• Acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi.
• Manipulation techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting).
• External poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic methods.