Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Tuina, also known as “massage,” “anqiao,” “daoyin,” “anfa,” and “moxiao,” is a method based on TCM theory that applies various techniques to specific areas of the body or combines certain physical activities to restore or improve bodily functions. Tuina is one of the oldest therapies known to humanity and is an important part of TCM.

TCM Tuina is simple, safe, and effective, and has been widely applied throughout history.

According to historical records, TCM massage originated in the Luoyang area of Henan Province. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties, there was a specialized text titled “Huangdi Qibo Massage Ten Volumes,” indicating that massage had already become a relatively mature medical practice before the Qin and Han periods. Although this book has long been lost, fortunately, the classic text “Huangdi Neijing” completed around the same time contains many relevant chapters that elaborate on the origins of massage, techniques, clinical applications, indications, and treatment principles. The medical sage Zhang Zhongjing first advocated the “Gao Mo” therapy in his work “Shanghan Zabing Lun,” which involves applying prepared medicated plasters to the patient’s body and then using techniques to rub and massage over them, providing both manual and medicinal effects. This not only enhances efficacy but also expands the application scope of massage.

During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Gao Mo therapy further developed. Ge Hong systematically summarized the prescriptions, differentiation, and manufacturing methods of Gao Mo in his work “Zhouhou Beiji Fang.” Tao Hongjing introduced a complete set of daoyin and massage techniques, including zhuochi (tooth pecking), yunyan (eye pressing), anmu (eye pressing), qianer (ear pulling), shoutou (head combing), momian (face rubbing), and cashen (body rubbing) in his work “Yangxing Yansheng Lu,” which became the source of self-massage methods for health preservation and self-treatment of diseases in later generations.

The Sui and Tang dynasties marked the peak of TCM Tuina. The Imperial Medical Bureau officially established a specialized massage department, categorizing massage professionals into levels such as massage doctors, therapists, and workers, overseeing massage education and treatment. At this time, the foundational theories, diagnostic techniques, and treatment aspects of massage had developed to a considerable level, indicating that the prototype of modern Tuina had already formed. Additionally, due to economic, cultural, and transportation advancements, and frequent foreign exchanges, Tuina was introduced to Korea, Japan, and Arabia along with TCM.

During the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, the application scope of massage expanded. Due to frequent wars during this period, there were many injuries, leading to the emergence of specialized bone-setting Tuina. To better promote and apply massage and daoyin methods, doctors began to practice martial arts, aiming to enhance their physical fitness and provide new content for patients through martial arts. The combination of massage and martial arts significantly influenced the development of massage in later generations.

In the Ming dynasty, massage therapy became very popular. Massage was one of the thirteen medical subjects, and the Imperial Medical Institute had a massage department that addressed diseases in internal medicine, pediatrics, and orthopedics. A wealth of experience and theoretical knowledge was accumulated in pediatric treatment, forming a unique pediatric Tuina system. Renowned pediatric Tuina texts such as “Pediatric Massage Classic,” “Pediatric Tuina Formulas for Vitality,” and “Secrets of Pediatric Tuina” emerged during this time. The term “Tuina” also originated from this period. Additionally, folk massage targeting adults became active, referred to as “Mo Xiansheng” (Mr. Touch).

Although hospitals in the Qing dynasty did not have a massage department, due to its significant efficacy, it was still widely applied both officially and among the public, with many texts published. For example, Xiong Yingxiong’s “Pediatric Tuina Broad Interpretation,” Luo Rulong’s “Pediatric Tuina Secret,” Qian Huaicun’s “Pediatric Tuina Direct Record,” and Xia Yunjie’s “Baorqi Tuina Method.” The “Yizong Jinjian” systematically summarized the techniques of Tuina for treating bone injuries, listing methods such as mo (touch), jie (grasp), duan (lift), ti (press), an (push), mo (rub), tui (push), and na (pull) as the eight methods of injury treatment, establishing the specialization of bone-setting Tuina.

During the late Qing and early Republic of China periods, the development of TCM almost stagnated. Tuina suffered more severe damage and suppression than other TCM specialties, and some knowledgeable individuals were reluctant to learn Tuina. Many bone-setting Tuina practitioners had low educational levels, leading to a lack of recognition. The Tuina profession faced official resistance and could only thrive in the folk domain. Despite this, Tuina remained simple and effective, continuing to develop in the folk sector, forming many schools. For example, based on the foundation of Yizhi Chan Tuina, the rolling method Tuina gradually formed; and based on martial arts practice, the flat push method Tuina, also known as internal skill Tuina, developed.

After 1949, TCM Tuina therapy regained attention. Many medical institutions re-established massage or bone-setting departments, training numerous professionals. Historical documents began to be organized, and research on its effects and treatment principles was conducted, exploring Tuina techniques using modern methods.

Gao Xuejian【Common Pediatric Tuina Treatments】

Gao Xuejian—Reference Video for Pediatric Tuina Techniques at Tianmen into Tiger’s Mouth

Gao Xuejian: Expert lecturer of the “Clinical Application Essentials of Pediatric Tuina” course at the Chinese Acupuncture and Tuina Association, researcher at the Center for Chinese Management Studies at Tsinghua University, special lecturer on TCM pediatric Tuina, senior meridian Tuina practitioner, graduated from the Sports Medicine program at Hebei Normal University, and began researching TCM in the mid-1980s. Currently, he trains TCM pediatric Tuina practitioners at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and various hospitals in Beijing. With over twenty years of TCM study, he is a disciple of the Zhang Jigang pediatric Tuina method. He has served as a special massage therapist for the CCTV Legal Channel program group, a promotion lecturer and therapist for the Beijing Pinsan Hall Pediatric Tuina Research Association, and the Wangjing Xicheng Enterprise Pediatric Tuina Club. He regularly provides TCM pediatric Tuina massage at various TCM pediatric clinics, receiving high praise from parents and peers.

Therapy Introduction:

Teacher Gao’s “Pediatric Tuina Studies” combines theory and practice. While inheriting the system and framework of Zhang Jigang’s pediatric Tuina, as a professional scholar, he also incorporates the essence of other schools such as “Three Character Classic,” “Haipai,” and various Shandong schools. His teaching characteristics are:

1. Emphasizing market cultivation methods, proposing the teaching philosophy and theoretical model of “not being a simple Tuina craftsman, but establishing a continuous working method for infant and toddler health care,” which can treat common pediatric diseases while promoting parenting health knowledge to attract more parents’ attention, ensuring both treatment and prevention, thus securing income.

2. Focusing on the whole, emphasizing the dual-supplement therapy based on Yin and Yang, and establishing treatment principles of Yin and Yang and a four-part acupuncture point matching method based on the eight principles of differentiation. This method is simple and easy to learn, minimizing the risk of missing or mismatching acupuncture points.

3. In teaching techniques, small class sizes (20-30 people) are used, with hands-on instruction, and practice in pairs, with the teacher checking for proficiency, ensuring that students learn and master the techniques in class. This approach has received high praise in training sessions across the country.

4. After completing the course, students can start working on the first day at home. After a period of practice, most students achieve good treatment results.

5. Once they start working, if they encounter difficult cases, they can communicate and seek advice from teachers and classmates in a dedicated WeChat group, benefiting from teamwork.

Main Lecture Content:

1. Characteristics, indications, contraindications, and operational precautions of pediatric Tuina techniques.

2. Pediatric differentiation and the four examinations.

3. Eight commonly used pediatric Tuina techniques and eight compound techniques.

4. Clinical operations and introductions to the main treatment and efficacy of five common head and face acupuncture points, forty-three upper limb points, six chest and abdomen points, and five lumbar and lower limb points.

5. Differentiation and treatment of common pediatric diseases (night crying, oral thrush, convulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, malnutrition, fever, whooping cough (cough), sweating disorders, enuresis, hand-foot-mouth disease, etc.).