Description– Tui Na is considered one of branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) along with acupuncture, herbology (the use of herbs in treatment of medical conditions) and food therapy (nutrition). It is basically a combination of Western massage (myofascial manipulation) and acupressure techniques.  Tui Na can be used alone or along with acupuncture and/or laser to enhance its benefits, and it can be used with or without herbs.

Benefits– Tui Na includes methods that are easy to teach a pet owner who can apply these to the pet on a regular basis between visits and other treatments with acupuncture and/or laser.  It is particularly useful for the treatment of musculo-skeletal problems, especially in some geriatric patients when they may not tolerate the placement of acupuncture needles or when such treatment is too strong.

Mechanism of action-

Tui Na’s local effects– regulates blood; removes stasis; removes swelling; relieves pain; relieves spasms; separates adhesive tissue and smooth joints

Not only can such techniques eliminate trigger points and sore muscles,

Tui Na focuses on the treatment of the meridians to help treat the underlying condition.  It provides pain relief as pain occurs where there is no free flow of Qi and by increasing blood flow that leads to vasodilation which leads to decreased pain ( by increased circulation invigorates Blood, reduces Blood Stasis and opens Channels).

Tui Na’s systemic effects include: regulating Yin/Yang (that is, to tonify Deficiency conditions or to sedate Excess conditions); regulating Blood and Qi; regulating Zang and Fu internal organs; unblocking the Meridians/Channels that can be affected with muscular problems, skeletal injuries and neurological diseases.