Tui Na Massage: What to Expect
Here is what to expect when preparing for your Tui Na medical massage therapy session at KES Fitness: before, during, and after Tui Na.
Before Tui Na Massage
Come in Healthy
I work on multiple people throughout out the day. Getting a treatment while you are under the weather may make you feel good momentarily, but it would not be a good thing for me or for the other clients that I work on that day.
Please, if you feel you are coming down with a cold, as a courtesy, please cancel at your earliest possible notice, so as to not spread the contagion. In addition, for your own health it is not recommended to get body work while you are sick, as it has tendency to drive the cold down further.
Wear Comfortable, Loose-Fitting Clothing
Tui Na is an active modality that encompasses many stretches throughout your full range of motion and articulation of your joints. Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing that won’t interfere with these stretches.
Eat Light Before Your Session
Make sure you have a light snack prior to treatment, or, give yourself an hour after a full meal. It’s best if you are neither too hungry, nor too full when you arrive for treatment. If you are hungry, we recommend having a lite snack, as it might be challenging relaxing into the treatment. If you are too full, the stretches might feel uncomfortable.
During Tui Na Massage
During the treatment your job will be to focus your attention on your breathing and to communicate if you would like more or less pressure. Breathing in long smooth breaths from the diaphragm to help make the exhale twice as long as the inhale is ideal. Treatment is advantageously received when you breathe in unison with the stretches and myofascial release. Don’t worry, I will assist and cue you on when to breathe.
On occasion, I will ask you to push against me or to provide “token” or “light resistance” to more actively engage your nervous system into your healing process. Though you may feel discomfort, you should never feel pain during your treatment. Please communicate if you feel any severe discomfort. Feel free to let your practitioner know if you prefer more or less pressure or a more or less active treatment.
After Tui Na Massage
Rest
After a Tui Na massage session, your body will be going through a rebalancing as it responds to the treatment. Allow your body some time to rest to make the most of it.
Avoid Vigorous Exercise
For several hours after the treatment, avoid strenuous exercise to keep your body in relaxation mode.
Avoid Stress
Keep your mind and body as calm as possible to allow yourself time to respond to your treatment and further healing.
Drink Water
Make sure you drink plenty of water during the rest of the day of your treatment to assist in your healing.
