Chinese Massage Manual: The Healing Art of Tui Na

"Sarah Pritchard has contrived to produce a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the complex art of Tui Na, the Chinese Remedial Massage System.

She provides a clear and concise overview of the complexities of Traditional Chinese Medicine, introducing the reader to Yin / Yang Theory, the Five Elements and the Eight Principles. Sarah also considers traditional Chinese theories regarding the causes of disease and the role of the vital substances and internal organs. I stress that this is not an in-depth study of the Chinese approach to health but rather a starting point, a skeleton of information that the enthusiast will want to flesh out with further study. The bibliography lists some core texts that will be helpful to readers wishing to extend their knowledge. Although some may accuse Sarah of over simplification, I only wish her book had been available when I first began to study TCM!

I was pleased to find that the 'Technique' section of the text began with instruction in Qi Gong, a system of physical culture that will help strengthen the practitioner mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Too many people either ignore this important aspect of the Art or see it as an afterthought.

Communicationg massage techniques on paper is no easy business - I know, I've tried! - receiving instruction from a qualified and experienced practioner is much more useful. Bearing this proviso in mind Sarah has provided detailed written and pictorial instruction in 20 Tui Na hand techniques. I like the way she states clearly which techniques can be acquired easily and which require practice on a rice bag before you subject your friends to an unhelpful pummelling. (She even tells you how to make the rice bag!) I feel that some prior knowlede of massage technique would be of benefit when approaching this section but if you have a willing partner who is not afraid of giving constructive feedback it should be possible to develop competence in most of the techniques.

Sarah avoids going down the obvious route of concluding the book with a recommended whole body sequence. Although a common inclusion in body work books I often find that these routines are so generalised that they are of little benefit to anyone. Instead, Sarah has chosen to detail the use of Tui Na in the treatment of a number of common ailments. In my opinion this is a much more useful way of drawing together the preceding strands of information.

I have no hesitation in giving this book my recommendation. If you are only going to buy one book on Chinese Massage make it this one: If you are planning to buy a few, make this one of them!"
~ Written on 1999-11-21