The main system of Tui Na or “Traditional Chinese Therapeutic Massage” that I learned was intimately connected to the style of martial arts known as Xingyi Quan or Form and Will Boxing. This system was a favorite among professional fighters, bodyguards, and caravan escort guards for several hundred years. Learning the healing arts was considered mandatory for becoming a Sifu or Master Teacher. These massage therapy techniques were part of martial art.
One of the most dramatic ways this deep connection manifests is in the push up sequence. The same push up sequence we practiced for martial strength was also the same one practiced preparing for massage therapy. This sequence has 12 different hand positions for doing pushups. It also features very specific instructions on body alignment, linking the breath with the exertion of the push up, and specific sequencing for moving the shoulders, arms and spine while performing each push up. All those hand positions turn out to be identical to the hand formations used in specific massage techniques. The breathing method used while performing the push up is also carried over to the massage techniques and is an important part of each massage stroke or technique. Learning to breath in rhythm with the pushups and with the massage strokes requires good concentration. In addition, the therapist hopes to coordinate their massage technique and their breathing with the patient’s inhalation and exhalation to harmoniously complement the massage technique with the patient’s breathing. This requires real concentration integrating multiple skill sets and has a wonderful effect on the quality and lasting benefit of the treatment.
The other area of body method that shows amazing connection between the martial and medical arts is the fighting stance of the Form and Will Boxer is also used while administering Tui Na treatments. Stances indicate the skillful “ready to fight” position of the legs that has a lower center of gravity, bent legs, and is stable, agile, able to generate force, while being balanced and comfortable. In the martial art of Form and Will Boxing a particular stance called the Three Treasure Stance is used almost continuously. In this stance the back foot is turned out and one sits on the rear leg with 60 – 70% of their weight. From here one can advance, retreat, or sidestep easily. This is also the position that they use for developing force often with a weight shift, waist turning, or by stepping. Learning to use the legs to generate and control the movement center of the body and then use the center of the body to move and control the hands and arms is an important part of developing the body method of a martial artist. The interesting part is that this stance is perfect for giving a massage therapy treatment and allows one to use the strength of their legs and the mass of the center of their body to assist them in treatments. Using a good stance helps prevent back strain and hand and wrist strain on the part of the practitioner.
The second advantage that martial arts experts have in learning Tui Na Massage is their sense of what health and optimally functional actually feels like. They have a clear experience of vibrant health, and this informs their treatment of patients with Tui Na While I taught Tai Chi and Qigong at the San Francisco School of Acupuncture I saw that many of the students were themselves not particularly physically fit or even healthy. The ratio probably evenly matches the normal population. Meaning that there were not more or less people who are fit in acupuncture school than anywhere else. Many students found the Tai Chi and Qigong class to be quite strenuous. For people who have never trained their body in a sport and become fit and well-coordinated or are naturally physically gifted it is impossible to know what it feels like to be fit and well-coordinated. There is a difference between eliminating serious medical conditions and being truly vibrantly healthy and able. Someone can have no serious or treated medical conditions and still not be particularly healthy or fit. They are merely avoiding becoming sick now but are nowhere near optimal health. Having personal experience of optimal health helps when guiding others to also achieve optimal health and physical ability.
Many doctors approach medicine focused only on eliminating a disease and not on creating an optimal state of health that they have themselves personally experienced. We love these doctors who save us from serious illnesses and treat our injuries with modern skills. However, it is also fantastic to move into being as healthy as we possibly can and live long capable lives. The systematic exercise systems used by martial arts masters to develop their bodies help anyone become incredibly fit. To do many of the most effective Tui Na techniques you need to be strong and well-coordinated.
The third essential quality that martial artist masters bring to massage therapy is familiarity with handling human bodies, especially if they do any standing grappling or throwing techniques. When practicing martial arts admittedly we are learning how to break things and move joints in exactly and precisely the wrong way. After you practice martial arts for a while you become intimately aware of what hurts, and how muscles and joints shouldn’t move. Along the way you also get incredibly clear on how they do move most effectively. This gives enhanced understanding and felt connection to how the joints, muscles, and tendons function. Many grappling techniques, especially in standing grappling, need to have precise application. If they are precise, they are irresistible and devastating. If they lack precision, they don’t work at all. In a grappling situation of course, it is the opposite of massage because the other person is doing everything, they can prevent you from performing your technique! With a skilled practice partner constantly changing and moving you need to be sensitive, strong, responsive and present in the moment to succeed.
People become clear on how to move correctly because it greatly increases the power of every strike or throw. Martial arts experts are also quite familiar with all different body types and sizes. This familiarity with different types of people is especially helpful at the beginning of learning Tui Na. This builds a quick sudden speed that is a requirement of many bone setting techniques. The problem with bone setting is that if joints are injured and bones are misaligned it is often painful and the body tenses to prevent further pain. The body also tends to react to any changes by further tensing. To work some bone setting techniques, have to be performed with a swift suddenness, faster than the patients instinctive defensive bracing. If you don’t’ have the speed and precise technique you have little chance of good bone setting skills developing.
What do martial artists gain from learning Tui Na? Greater understanding of their martial arts health benefits, understanding of their own body, ability to help their family and friends, if teaching the ability to help their students and build confidence, ability to treat themselves and recover form hard training or sparring more quickly.
In our final article, we’ll delve into the historical context of martial arts in medicine, explore the benefits martial artists gain from learning massage therapy, and uncover the secrets of traditional bone-setting techniques.