Qi. It’s not a word familiar to most Americans, but it is the central premise in ancient Chinese healing practices. Pronounced “chee”, qi is the universal life force or energy that animates all beings. Essential to understanding qi and its importance to health and wellness for people and pets is understanding the concepts of yin and yang. Yin and yang are energies that embody opposite qualities of each other. To give you a better understanding, think of yin as the energy that represents the feminine (softness, flow, empathy, and love), while yang represents the masculine (decisiveness, focus, temperament, and direction). When they are in balance, yin and yang create a vibrant, healthy life force, or qi, within a person or animal.
How Does Qi Relate to Tui Na?
As one of the Four Branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), Tui Na works to balance the energy that flows through channels or pathways within the body. These pathways nourish and connect the internal organs with the tissue and extremities. When in balance, qi and blood flow through these pathways harmoniously, so the body can resist pathogens and support good health.
What is Tui Na?
Tui Na, pronounced “twee-nah”, is a series of hand techniques, including straight pushing, pushing apart, kneading, circular rubbing, pinching, pulling, and pressing. These hand techniques are commonly used on acupressure points (places along an energy meridian where blood and energy pool) to boost an animal’s immune system and stimulate vitality and health.
Tui Na, like other Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine modalities, is thousands of years old with an equal length of clinical observation regarding its effectiveness. Specifically, Tui Na is a type of massage used to help prevent illness and injury by maintaining the energetic and nutrient supply to the entire body.
How Can Tui Na Help Your Pet?
Tui Na is a wonderful technique for preventing an illness and injury that could debilitate your pet. For example, what begins as a tight muscle, in which the flow of blood and qi is restricted to a specific area, can lead to more pronounced physical discomfort and even potential immobility. Tui Na, especially when used in conjunction with other Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine techniques, is best used as a resource for preventing illness and injury in your pet by maintaining the energetic and nutrient supply to the entire body. Curing an imbalance in your pet’s body is important to maintaining vibrancy and good health. Dealing with it as soon as possible keeps it from going deeper into the body and creating ill health.
Tui Na is very effective in addressing a variety of health issues in your pet, including:
- Muscle, tendon, ligament, and other skeletal conditions
- Aging issues including arthritis, weakness, and stiff joints
- Respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and immune system disorders
- It can enhance mental focus and acuity and help create a general sense of well-being.
Tui Na Treatment
Tui Na should not be confused with massage therapy performed by someone who isn’t certified. Tui Na is a wonderful treatment modality through which the techniques listed above will be applied to any areas of your pet’s body that are out of balance. A Tui Na treatment at Magnolia Springs Veterinary Center is a part of the holistic veterinary care we provide for your pet to maintain their wellness and good health. We can even teach you many Tui Na techniques so you can provide additional treatment for your furry friend at home.
Doing so enhances the bond between you and your four-legged family member, creating an even more loving relationship with them. Treating them holistically enables you to maintain their health and wellness so you can enjoy a long, happy life together.
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