Tuina Massage and Reflexology

Tuina massage is a Traditional Chinese Medicine bodywork system with a 5,000-year history, using approximately 25 distinct therapeutic hand techniques to address muscle tension, joint stiffness, circulatory impairment, and musculoskeletal dysfunction. At this Brno practice, Eva Hajská integrates Tuina with reflexology — the stimulation of reflex zones on the feet, hands, and ears that correspond to internal organs and body regions. Unlike general relaxation massage, both techniques are diagnostic and therapeutic: the practitioner identifies imbalances through tissue texture, reflex point sensitivity, and patient feedback, then applies targeted manual therapy to resolve them. This approach is clinically appropriate for a wide range: acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, infants and elderly patients, pregnant women, athletes, and sports injury recovery.

Tuina (pronounced 'twee-nah', meaning 'push-grasp') is one of the five foundational branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy, and qi gong. It is a structured therapeutic massage system that uses a repertoire of approximately 25 distinct hand techniques — including rolling, kneading, pressing, rubbing, percussion, and traction — applied to meridian pathways, acupuncture points, and musculoskeletal structures. Unlike Western sports or relaxation massage, Tuina operates within the same theoretical framework as acupuncture: it aims to restore chi flow through blocked meridians, dispel pathogenic influences (wind, cold, damp), and rebalance yin-yang across the organ systems. At Celostní medicína a Akupunktura Brno, Tuina is combined with reflexology — a complementary technique working through reflex maps on the feet (most commonly), hands, or ears. In reflexology, specific zones on the sole and dorsum of the foot correspond to every organ and body region; applying precise thumb-walking, rotation, and pressure techniques to these zones stimulates the corresponding organ's function and circulation, and can identify areas of imbalance through tenderness or textural change. Eva Hajská was trained in both Tuina and reflexology during her programme at the School of Natural Medicine Prague and has completed specialist Korean hand and foot massage training. The combined session begins with a brief assessment of posture, movement limitation, and the patient's primary complaint. For whole-body or systemic complaints, the reflexology component often takes precedence, with foot or hand work forming the first 20–30 minutes; for localised musculoskeletal problems, Tuina bodywork on the affected region is primary. Pressure is calibrated to individual tolerance — from light to firm — and the practitioner continuously monitors tissue response and patient feedback to guide technique selection. This integrated approach is suitable for a particularly wide patient population. Infants and elderly patients tolerate Tuina well because the force can be adjusted to almost any level. Pregnant women can receive treatment to relieve pelvic and lower back tension, with appropriate adaptation of positions and pressure. Athletes use it for soft tissue recovery, muscle soreness reduction, and joint mobility restoration after training loads. For chronic musculoskeletal pain — including long-standing back problems, shoulder impingement, hip restriction, and fibromyalgia-pattern tension — regular Tuina sessions may offer cumulative benefit when combined with acupuncture. Results from manual therapy are often immediately noticeable: improved range of motion, reduced muscle tightness, and decreased pain at the session's end. Longer-lasting changes to chronic patterns typically require a course of sessions. Eva recommends frequency based on the presentation — weekly for acute or subacute conditions, fortnightly or monthly for maintenance. No particular preparation is required; wear comfortable loose clothing. The session takes place on a massage table. Heavy meals should be avoided within two hours of the appointment.