Cupping, and the marks it leaves
Tuina is the therapeutic massage of Chinese medicine. The practitioner uses pressing, kneading, rolling and gentle stretching techniques, often combined with acupressure on specific points, and adjusts the pressure to your comfort.
People most often book tuina for back, neck and shoulder tension. A gentler paediatric form exists, and practitioners can teach simple acupressure for home use. Tuina is avoided over fractures, infections, acute inflammation or areas affected by cancer, and pressure is kept light for anyone with osteoporosis.
Some reviews suggest tuina may help with chronic low back pain, although the quality of the evidence is low. It is a complement to medical care, not a replacement for it.
