Six Major Schools of Tuina in Mainland China
One: Finger-Taiji Tuina
Legend One: During the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, Bodhidharma incorporated traditional tuina massage with six techniques—rubbing, kneading, rolling, twisting, winding, and pressing.
Legend Two: A Zen Buddhist term meaning "all things return to unity."
In the Song Dynasty, Juqi monk asked Tianlong monk about Buddhist teachings; Tianlong raised one finger, causing Juqi to attain enlightenment. The lineage is traceable to Li Jianchen, a Wujin (military examination) scholar from the Xianfeng era of Qing Dynasty, who taught Ding Fengshan in Yangzhou. Today’s Zhu Chunting and Wang Jisong are the fourth-generation inheritors. Commonly used fourteen techniques in one-finger taiji tuina include: pushing, massaging, rolling, twisting, kneading, copying, winding, pressing, shaking, wiping, hooking. Its characteristics are following meridians, skillful technique, precise acupoint selection, suitable for internal, gynecological, pediatric, and miscellaneous diseases.
Two: Rolling Method Tuina
The founder of rolling method tuina, Ding Jifeng, was originally a disciple of one-finger taiji tuina. He developed this method clinically by primarily using rolling combined with kneading, pressing, twisting, rubbing, and passive limb movements. Characteristics:
(1) Based on meridian theory, integrating physiological, anatomical, pathological theories into practice.
(2) After thorough examination, gentle and flexible techniques are used. Due to large contact area, moderate pressure, and comfortable sensation, it effectively clears meridians and promotes blood and qi circulation. Indications include hemiplegia, poliomyelitis, soft tissue injuries of neck, shoulder, waist, buttocks, and limbs.
Three: Internal Power Tuina
Represented by Ma Wanqi and Ma Wanlong from Shandong, this style emphasizes holistic concepts, strengthening vital energy and expelling pathogenic factors, guided by Shaolin internal martial arts for patient exercises. Techniques include: rubbing (five-finger pinching), point pressing (including elbow pressing), separating, combining, sweeping, smoothing, splitting, shaking, kneading, pulling, striking (palm strike, fist strike, stick strike). Another feature of internal medicine tuina is the use of moist heat application and stick striking methods in treatment.
Four: Orthopedic Tuina
Also known as orthopedic massage or trauma therapy, this method treats bone injuries such as misaligned joints and twisted tendons. Basic techniques include pushing, massaging, palpating, aligning, lifting, and straightening. Clinical applications are divided into orthopedic and general tuina techniques, which may be used together. Famous modern practitioners include Du Ziming, Huang Dongshan, and Lu Wen. Orthopedic tuina plays a crucial role in treating bone injuries. Proper application of orthopedic techniques can restore broken bones, elevate sunken areas, reconstruct fractured parts, and flatten protrusions. As stated in *Essentials of Bone Setting Art*: “Each technique suits specific conditions; recovery speed and residual disability depend entirely on proper technique application.”
Five: Acupressure Tuina
Also called finger pressure tuina or acupuncture-point therapy. Clinically, it involves pressing or pinching acupoints along meridians to prevent and treat diseases. *Suwen·Discourse on Pain* states: “When pressure is applied, warmth arrives; when warmth arrives, pain ceases.” This method features strong sensation, rapid effect, and minimal damage. Basic technique uses the tip or thenar surface of the thumb to press acupoints, either stationary or moving, trembling, or gliding. Additional techniques include claw pressing, elbow pressing, tapping, and needle-like pressing. Notable modern schools include Zheng Huaixian’s acupoint massage, spinal pressing therapy, thoracic acupoint pressure, and acupressure anesthesia.
Six: Pediatric Tuina
Also known as infant massage. *Wu Er Bing Fang* (a silk manuscript from Western Han Dynasty) records using the edge of a spoon to rub affected areas of children. In Jin Dynasty’s *Emergency Prescriptions Behind the Sleeve*, pinching the spine was recommended for abdominal pain. Tang Dynasty’s *Qianjin Yaofang* suggests applying ointment to the fontanelle and palms/soles to ward off wind-cold. The *Yitai Miao Yao* documents using massage on head and back to prevent infants’ nighttime restlessness. In Song Dynasty’s *Su Shen Liang Fang*, pressing techniques were used for umbilical mouth twitching.
By Ming and Qing Dynasties, pediatric tuina had become a specialized field. Over thirty tuina books existed, with about ten surviving today. Among them, *The Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion* contains the earliest extant pediatric tuina text, *The Massage Canon* (1601). The *Complete Book of Pediatric Tuina: Secret Principles for Saving Infants* is the earliest standalone pediatric tuina monograph.
Clinical Features of Pediatric Tuina:
(1) Emphasis on procedural sequence: first head and face, then upper limbs, followed by chest and abdomen, then waist and back, finally lower limbs.
(2) Emphasis on tonifying and draining effects: e.g., circular pushing is tonifying, straight pushing is draining; slow rubbing is tonifying, fast rubbing is draining.
(3) Importance of ointment application: depending on season and condition, media such as scallion-ginger juice, talcum powder, or cool water are used. This protects delicate skin and enhances therapeutic efficacy. Pediatric tuina typically targets children under six years old, with younger age yielding better results.