514 Parrs Wood Road
Didsbury
Manchester
M20 5QA
Tel: 0161 445 4656
email:college@shulan.uk.com
Classical TUINA Course
Our Tuina course is based on Chinese Tui Na massage therapy, excels in the treatment of chronic pain associated with the musculo-skeletal system. Particularly neck, shoulder and back pain, muscle spasms, tennis and golfer¡¯s elbow, frozen shoulder, joint pain (including arthritis). Tui Na can also be a preventative treatment correcting any imbalances in the body¡¯s energy before symptoms and disease can develop. It also works to restore emotional and intellectual harmony as well as physical health.
Course Objective: This course provides students with practice in the basic concepts and techniques of Classical Chinese Tuina. This course requires a more technical and anatomical framework than that of most standard massage / bodywork systems of the same duration. It creates opportunities to learn precise techniques to resolve the most stubborn of physical ailments. It also provides a framework for working more interactively with the client/patient and for developing a bio-mechanically effective style of working that will minimize the wear and tear on the practitioner's own body.
What is Tui Na? Tui Na (pronounced 'twee-nah') massage is a complete healing system, like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. These three forms of therapy are the main components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Tui Na is probably the oldest system of bodywork still practised. The techniques of Tui Na and details of its uses in treating a range of health problems were already documented in a vast treatise - The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, written about 2500 years ago. After such a lengthy period of development and evolution, modern Tui Na is the most tried and tested hands-on therapy in the world.
Tui Na works in accordance with the complex theory of TCM. Fundamental to this theory is the life powering energy that the Chinese call Qi. Every aspect of bodily function depends upon Qi and its flow through the tissues. The Chinese recognise a network of 12 paired meridians - one member of each pair on the right side of the body and the other on the left. There are also two unpaired meridians that encircle the trunk and the head in the mid-line.
Tui Na is completely holistic, treats the whole body and has no negative side effects. It is generally performed through clothing, an oil based medium therapy exists for more complex techniques used together to resolve very difficult problems. It promotes smooth, unhindered flow of Qi (energy) through the meridian system, by use of stimulating or sedating specific acupoints.
It is very successful in releasing fibrotic myofascia with unique classical techniques. It is very effective in speeding up the healing process in the more difficult connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. In China it is the first therapy considered to treat chronic musculo-skeletal pain such as neck, shoulder and back pain, sciatica and joint pain including arthritis. It is also flexible enough to treat conditions such as headaches, migraine, IBS, insomnia, tension and restlessness.
Course Composition / Overview - The Course comprises the following mandatory elements which must be completed to achieve the Colleges Practitioners Certificate.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory -Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of health care based on the late-twentieth-century standardization of medical practices that originated in China some 2500 years ago. Yin/Yang Theory - Yin/Yang theory is a dynamic system of thought that evaluates the disease process and applies the correct yin/yang therapy to balance the human body.
• Holism - Holism focuses on how the physical, emotional, and chemical elements of the body are interconnected to maintain wellness (holistic health). Treatment principles are based on the Zang-Fu Organ relationships; And their sphere of influence on the Gross Anatomy and physiology of the whole body. Rather than focusing narrowly on the illness or part of the body that is not healthy.
• Meridians - Meridians or channels form a distribution system that carries Qi, Jing, Blood and Body Fluids around the body. There are 14 main meridians. Branching from them is a network of other smaller channels. Each main meridian is connected to one of the twelve organs and travels along its own route within the body.
• Acupuncture points / Acupressure points, (60) - Locations where qi & blood of the channels, collaterals and viscera come in, go out & pool by way of transfusion are called acupoints. They reflect the physiological & pathological changes of the organs & tissues of the whole body. They also serve as a focus of tuina manipulations. 60 common acupoints will be taught.
• Power patterns of movement - The 4 rules +angles and the 5 Characteristics
• The 4 rules +angles - Tui na creates stimulating messages via a specific power pattern consisting of quantity, frequency, rhythm, direction & angle of the techniques, each pattern elicits a therapeutic function to corresponding points and layers of body tissue.
• The 5 Characteristics - which are permanence, forcefulness, evenness, softness, deepening. These are the technical essentials of every Tuina manoeuvre & are organically interrelated.
• Structural Assessment / Evaluation ¨C A step by step evaluation of the body¡¯s musculoskeletal structure to ascertain Structural Imbalance, dysfunction, hypertension, hypotension. Enabling the practitioner to apply a systematic therapeutic approach to resolving these patterns.
• Introduction to Stretching and Common Stretching Techniques - use of Proprioceptor feedback, the stretch reflex, types of stretching and its effects on the spine. Muscle composition and their attachments. Dynamic stretching & mobilising techniques for all the body regions.
• Oil based tuina (Amma) ¨C Dependent on the nature of the injury / disease, a medium may be used to assist the practitioner to achieve their therapeutic goals.
• Recording and Communicating with other Health-Care professionals. The working environment of the Tuina Practitioner.
• Health and Safety Issues, Ethics and code of conduct.
• Home study element & case history ¨C A chance to revise and obtain credit marks towards final exam. The student will be set regular home s
tudy which will be marked and evaluated.
Requirements
As Tuina has a detailed anatomical focus a prior qualification in anatomy & physiology and a hands on therapy is a pre-requisite.
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