Healing Joints with Yīn TuīNá
阴〔陰〕推拿 - Yīn Tuī Ná - gentle pressing and pulling (Chinese massage)
Yin TuiNa is a gentle form of Chinese massage. One of the techniques within this system of gentle massage can be practiced by using very gentle pressure to distract and compress a painful or stiff joint. This technique should not be used on an injured joint or in the area of any kind of injury to bone or other tissues.
This technique helps to improve circulation in the area of the joint and flush the joint space with fresh fluid. Joints often have limited circulation that can lead to slow degeneration through arthritic conditions, and this technique helps to subside joint inflammation, improve joint health, and encourage healing in the surrounding tissues.
Start by pulling the joint apart with 50% or less pressure until the joint finds a natural end point.
Allow the joint to settle slowly back to neutral.
Next, begin compression with the same gentle pressure until the joint finds a natural end point of compression.
Allow the joint to slowly return to neutral.
Repeat at least 5 times (up to 10 minutes) each and practice daily for best results.
*Note: distraction and compression are the application of pressure directly into and out of the joint space without flexing or extending the joint that is being worked on.
As you practice this on yourself, you may notice that a natural rhythm arises within the joint. This is a normal phenomenon, as every tissue and process in biological systems has a natural rate at which it operates and/or resonates.