Tui na
Tui na is a hands-on treatment done through clothing or a thin cloth. It is firmer and more rhythmic than a spa massage, and the practitioner works along lines and points rather than only the sore spot you pointed to.
- How long
- Hands-on work is commonly 20–40 minutes. With the conversation and dressing, plan for about an hour in the room.
- What you wear
- You stay clothed. Loose trousers and a soft top are easier than stiff jeans or a dress with many layers. Shoes come off; socks usually stay on.
- Marks
- The skin can look warm and flushed afterwards. Bruising is not the aim; ask for lighter pressure at any point.
- What it feels like
- Pressing, rolling and stretching. It can feel intense on a tight area. Asking them to ease off is a normal request, not a complaint.
What happens
You say what feels tight or sore, and whether anything has recently been injured or operated on. That last part matters, even if it feels unrelated.
You sit or lie on a table or a padded chair. The practitioner works with thumbs, palms and elbows, often through a cloth.
They may ask you to turn, lift an arm or breathe in a particular way. The companion stays in the room unless you ask otherwise.
Afterwards they tell you what they noticed and what they would do on another visit, if you wanted one. Nothing is booked on the spot unless you ask.
We will not tell you what this will do for you. The practitioner speaks for themselves. We translate it, including when the answer is that they would rather not go ahead.
How a companion helps here
- Pressure is easier to adjust when the request is translated as it happens, not guessed from a wince.
- You can say which areas to leave alone — a recent scar, a joint you do not want stretched — before they start.
- If they suggest adding cupping or needles, you hear what that involves and what it costs before you decide.
