There are various styles of bodywork practiced within the field of Chinese Medicine. It is interesting to note that many of the "new" bodywork systems are re-statements of ancient Chinese bodywork systems. Some styles are more Yang with brisk, forceful movements, while others are more Yin with light and subtle techniques. Almost all forms of Asian bodywork follow the fundamental theories Chinese Medicine including the principle of Yin and Yang and Meridian Theory.

The purpose of incorporating Asian bodywork into a Chinese Medical treatment is to help facilitate Qi flow and clear obstructions, thereby speeding up the healing process.

You may receive bodywork while wearing loose comfortable clothing or you may take off some clothing in order to expose the areas that are to be treated. The sessions typically last from 20 minutes to one hour. Many patients report that their Acupuncture session is enhanced when performed after a bodywork session. Asian bodywork also works well for those who prefer a treatment without acupuncture needles. When combined with Chinese herbs, nutrition and lifestyle changes, Asian Bodywork can be a powerful tool to help relieve pain, detoxify and rebalance the body.

Written record of Asian bodywork dates back to the Shang Dynasty (1700 B.C.E.) in China where the techniques were used to treat ailments of both children and adults. Throughout history, the discipline has traveled to many countries such as Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand to evolve into styles that are unique to each culture. Today Asian bodywork is practiced by Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.) and Certified Massage Therapists (CMT) with appropriate training and experience.

An integral component of Chinese Medicine is Tui Na, literally translated as "pushing and grabbing." In China, Tui Na practitioners receive the same rigorous education and training as Acupuncturists and Herbalists, and hold the status of Doctors. Tui Na is a remedial massage that corrects specific physical ailments of the body. Unlike many popular forms of massage which focus on relaxation, the goal of a Tui Na treatment is to resolve painful conditions and treat illnesses. The ailments may be musculoskeletal in origin or they may be internal organ pathologies. Examples of conditions treated by Tui Na are headaches, back pains, ankle sprains, scoliosis, hypertension, digestive disorders and insomnia. Following a Tui Na treatment, most patients report feeling re-energized and relaxed.

Tui Na utilizes deep pressure to move the Qi and blood within the meridians to disperse stagnation and balance the body. The practitioner uses hand techniques such as pressing, rubbing, pushing, grasping, kneading, and rolling to release the muscles, promote circulation and decrease pain. In pediatric Tui Na, rubbing is often used on the abdomen as it stimulates digestion, strengthens the Spleen and reduces abdominal swelling. The practitioner uses the palm of their hand or the flat of their fingers to rub the affected areas in circular motion. It is very soothing and highly effective.

Vigorous movements such as extensions, rotations, lifting and pulling techniques complement the hand techniques to correct structural misalignment and benefit the musculoskeletal system. For example, rotating method treats joint dysfunction and arthritis by increasing flexibility in stiffened joints especially of the shoulders. The pulling method is effective for unwinding soft-tissue adhesions to benefit the extremities. Traditionally, Tui Na doctors addressed traumatic injuries and bone fractures with manipulation techniques called bone-setting and external applications of herbal plasters or soaks. Tui Na Traumatology in China was a family tradition that was passed down the generations and kept within the family especially among the Martial Artists.

According to the Meridian Theory, there are twelve primary meridians in the human body and 365 acupuncture points located along their pathways. The function of the meridians or channels is to allow movement of Qi and blood to and from the organs to the rest of the body. A blockage in any of these meridians will cause an imbalance in the physiological function of the body. These blockages often occur in the acupuncture points where the energy flow is the closest to the skin surface. With the advent of sensitive modern electronics it is easy to trace the course of the meridians or to locate and validate the presence of acupressure points.

Acupressure is ideal for those who want a needle-less treatment. Like Acupuncture, the practitioner can perform techniques to tonify or sedate the points to obtain desirable effects. Acupressure helps to relieve the body of toxins, optimize organ function and activate the body's own healing powers by stimulating the acupuncture points. Acupressure can also be used as a diagnostic tool to determine which meridians and points are out of balance. Through palpation, a practitioner can determine the location of Qi stagnation and create a treatment plan accordingly.

A comprehensive discipline of abdominal massage that works with the internal organs to detoxify and regulate the body systems, Chinese Abdominal Therapy is a gentle method of manipulating the organs through the skin surface to benefit multiple body systems. Conditions commonly benefited from Chinese Abdominal Therapy include asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food allergies, depression, headaches, lower back pain, endometriosis, menstrual problems and infertility.

Asian cultures have long believed that the abdomen is the storage place of Qi, our life force. To access the body's innate healing potential, it is advantageous to work with the navel, which is located at the center of the human body. Scientific evidence shows that the gut is more sophisticated than we had ever imagined in the West. In an article published in New York Times, it features the "gut's brain", also known as the enteric nervous system, which contains a complex network of neurons, neurotransmitters and proteins that influence the head brain and the rest of the body. The gut can send impulses to the brain, store emotions, release stress hormones and activate the immune response. This is all happening in our abdomen with its 100 million neurons.

A Chinese Abdominal Therapy treatment typically begins with coaching on deep breathing, followed by gentle manipulation of the internal organs through the skin surface. The treatment can last from 45 minutes to one and one-half hours. Sessions are completed with advice on self-care practices to do at home, which may include breathing exercises, meditation, Qi Gong and/or lifestyle changes. To address existing health issues, weekly sessions are recommended until the symptoms begin to subside. For preventive care, monthly sessions would be beneficial to reduce stress, detoxify from environmental and emotional toxins and rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit.