Therapeutic bodywork guided by TCM diagnosis at our Lane Cove clinic — pushing, grasping, rolling and percussion techniques for back pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder and more.
Book a Session Explore AcupunctureTui Na (pronounced tway-nah, literally "push-grasp") is a form of Chinese therapeutic bodywork that forms one of the foundational pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy and Qi Gong. Unlike Western massage traditions, Tui Na is not simply a relaxation modality — it is a sophisticated manual therapy guided by TCM diagnosis, meridian theory and an understanding of the Qi and Blood dynamics of each individual patient.
At Lane Cove Acupuncture, our practitioners apply Tui Na with the same diagnostic precision as acupuncture. Before any bodywork begins, your condition is assessed using the Four Pillars of TCM diagnosis — observation, listening/smelling, inquiry and palpation. The specific techniques, pressure levels, rhythms and areas treated are then selected to address the identified pattern of disharmony, not simply to target symptomatic areas.
Patients travelling from Artarmon, Chatswood, Willoughby and across the North Shore find Tui Na to be a deeply effective treatment for conditions that have persisted despite other forms of massage or manual therapy — not because other modalities are inadequate, but because the TCM framework identifies and addresses root cause patterns that can maintain musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Swedish and most Western remedial massage approaches assess tissue quality, muscle tension and movement dysfunction. Tui Na does all of this, but also assesses the meridian system, the nature of any Qi or Blood stagnation, the presence of Cold, Damp or Heat pathogens in the channels, and the strength of the patient's constitutional Qi. This determines not just where to work, but what technique to use and in what direction and rhythm.
Tui Na employs a far wider range of manual techniques than Swedish or remedial massage: rolling (Gun Fa), pushing (Tui Fa), grasping (Na Fa), pressing (An Fa), kneading (Rou Fa), percussion (Ji Fa), stretching (Ba Shen Fa) and joint mobilisation. Each technique has specific indications and contraindications within TCM theory and is selected deliberately rather than applied generically.
In Tui Na, the practitioner's own Qi is an active component of the treatment. Skilled Tui Na practitioners develop the ability to project Qi through their hands into the patient's meridian system — a technique called Qi Gong Tui Na that requires years of practice to develop. This dimension of the therapy has no direct equivalent in Western massage modalities.
One of Tui Na's distinctive strengths is its effectiveness for internal conditions — a dimension where Western massage has limited scope. By working directly on meridian pathways and abdominal reflex zones, Tui Na can influence internal organ function.
Integrating Tui Na with Acupuncture: Many conditions respond best when Tui Na and acupuncture are combined within the same session. The bodywork can prepare the tissue to receive needles more effectively, and the needles address the deeper energetic pattern that the bodywork alone may not fully resolve. Your practitioner will advise the optimal combination for your presentation.
Your session begins with a full TCM consultation. For Tui Na treatments, you remain clothed in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing — light cotton or linen is ideal. You lie on a comfortable treatment table (or sit in a chair for neck and shoulder work). Your practitioner will explain the techniques they are using and invite feedback throughout.
Sessions typically run 45–60 minutes for follow-up appointments, and 90 minutes for an initial consultation and treatment. The intensity of the work is always calibrated to your comfort, your constitution and the nature of your condition. You may feel some temporary muscle soreness in the 24 hours following treatment, similar to after an intense massage or physical therapy session. Drinking additional water and resting adequately supports the body in integrating the treatment.
Pricing: Initial consultation and treatment 90 min — $150. Follow-up 60 min — $110. HICAPS private health rebates available (Medibank, BUPA, HCF, NIB, HBF, AHM).
No — Tui Na is performed through clothing. We recommend wearing loose, comfortable attire such as light cotton or tracksuit pants and a t-shirt. Avoid jeans, belts or anything restrictive. For certain techniques where direct skin access improves effectiveness, such as cupping or gua sha performed within the same session, you may be asked to uncover specific areas with appropriate draping.
Tui Na should not be acutely painful. Certain techniques applied to areas of significant tension or stagnation can produce a strong, achey sensation that patients often describe as 'good pain' — the pressure is intense but clearly beneficial. Your practitioner will always check in with your comfort level and adjust accordingly.
Commercial Chinese massage (often offered in shopping centres) is a general relaxation service. Clinical Tui Na at Lane Cove Acupuncture is performed by AHPRA-registered practitioners with university-level training in TCM diagnosis and therapeutic application. Each treatment is individually designed based on your TCM pattern, not performed according to a generic routine.
Yes — Tui Na is particularly effective for paediatric conditions. A gentler form known as Xiao Er Tui Na (paediatric Tui Na) uses light, rapid strokes on specific reflex zones on the hands, fingers and forearms. It is safe and effective for children's digestive complaints, colds, asthma, bedwetting and behavioural concerns. Parental consent is required for all patients under 18.
Acute conditions such as a sudden back strain may resolve in two to four sessions. Chronic conditions such as sciatica, frozen shoulder or IBS typically require a course of eight to twelve sessions over two to three months for lasting benefit. Your practitioner will design a plan and review it regularly.
